The Suzuki splash that we tested this time combines under the same roof all the features that the driver expects from a city car. It is distinguished by its compact dimensions, which make it easy to park it in even a small gap, a relatively high seating position, which makes it possible to see what is happening in traffic...
The Suzuki splash that we tested this time combines under the same roof all the features that the driver expects from a city car. It is distinguished by its compact dimensions, which make it easy to park it in even a small gap, and a relatively high seating position, which gives a significantly better overview of what is happening in traffic, which contributes to safer maneuvering in the city crowd. The high-positioned seats also make it easier for the elderly to get into the vehicle, which is also not a negligible fact. The 1.2-liter gasoline engine with 63 kW of engine power is economical even during city driving - the test average was below 7 liters of gasoline per 100 km - and lively enough for driving outside the city, although a few more horses would fit on the highway more. The interior equipment of the test splash included, among other things, a manual air conditioning system, where we have to praise the placement of ventilation nozzles that can be set to blow without disturbing the passengers, a radio with a CD player with MP3 support and a lot of practical storage areas.
The urban pulse of the car
Splash feels the best in the city. The compact dimensions and higher seating position are perfect for driving on busy city streets. Because of the cut-off rear end, reverse parking is also easy, we just have to keep in mind that the rear bumper is nicely rounded. Consumption of 95-octane unleaded gasoline in the city is, according to the factory, 6.9 liters per 100 kilometers driven, and the test average was 6.5 liters per 100 km. The dimensions of the trunk, which has a double bottom, are just right for "city" use - if we need more space, we can easily fold down the rear seats and get a luggage space of 424 liters, which is characterized by a flat bottom (!), which is definitely a feature of this car. Only tall people have to be careful, because the trunk lid does not open very high and careless loading can cause the trunk to slip.
Parent friendly
Among the features that parents expect in a car, we highlight the rear bench equipped with two ISOFIX anchor points. Since the movement of the rear windows is manual, it will be difficult to stop them from opening. It is true, however, that little ones are not very good at turning the crank. However, due to the not very large trunk - in our experience, you could only fit a very compact apricot stroller - we think that the splash is primarily the second car in the family - if, of course, you have children.
We noticed
Among the things that most convinced us about the test splash are certainly its compact dimensions. Even the manual air conditioning was up to the summer heat, and we were impressed with the well-directed air vents that could be directed so as not to blow directly on the head (which is generally a rarity in cars of this class). The music is provided by the radio with a CD player, which can also record tracks in MP3 format, and is controlled using the controls on the steering wheel. We were also impressed by the generously proportioned storage areas, although Suzuki engineers could have provided them with anti-slip mats - only some of them had them. We also wonder why the comfortable opening of the driver's window only worked in one direction - down, and to close it, it was still necessary to "hold" the switch, which is extremely impractical. We also missed the ability to adjust the depth of the leather-covered steering wheel (the height is adjustable), which would have helped to make sitting behind the wheel even better. Otherwise, we were pleasantly surprised by the feeling of a fairly neutral position in the corners - last but not least, the splash is taller compared to other cars and is slowly flirting with off-road vehicles. The engine also pleasantly surprised us on the highway, as it maintained a speed of 130 km/h without any problems. It is true, however, that a few more "horses" would be useful when overtaking. An interesting design detail is also the round engine speedometer, which "protrudes" from the armature in the style of sports cars.
Technique and price
Vehicle dimensions (in mm): 3715 x 1680 x 1590; engine power: 63 kW (85 hp); final speed: 175 km/h; fuel consumption (urban/extra-urban/combined): 6.9/4.9/5.5 l/100 km; CO emission2: 131 g/km; trunk volume: 202-462 l; price of the test vehicle (without discounts): EUR 11,990; insurance costs (AO / Super Polni Kasko with 1% deductible franchise at Zav. Maribor): EUR 414.02 / EUR 536.27.
