What's the difference?
Welcome to one of the world’s tiniest SUVs, as well as amongst Australia’s cheapest – Suzuki’s diminutive Ignis.
There’s an Aussie connection. Holden designer Peter Hughes styled the original YG Cruze based on the first (FH) Ignis of 2000, with both models sharing most components underneath; but the latter was not well received, prompting Suzuki to change tack for its reborn Swift replacement of 2004. Yet the name and concept were revived 11 years later (without GMH) for the retro-themed high-riding hatch/crossover you see here today.
The point? This quick history lesson serves to remind us how similar both Ignis generations are, as well as how devoted Suzuki is in its pursuit of owning the light SUV space.
In June 2020, a facelifted MF arrived, brandishing a revised grille, bumpers and trim to give it a chunkier appearance, along with minor spec changes.
Here we take a long look at the GLX auto.
Hybrid campers tread the line between caravan comfort and camper trailer-manoeuvrability and are touted as somewhat of a new thing; almost an evolution of comfort as more people look for a perfect camping experience.
But camper-trailers like the Cub Longreach LE prove that the concept has been around for decades.
It hasn't always been called the Longreach, but this high-walled, super-sized, off-road camper-trailer was one of the first to offer caravan-like comfort and space in a product that'll go anywhere off-road*. (* In terms of reasonable use and having obviously scrutinised your camper's warranty conditions before setting off to make sure you're covered for that sort of usage.)
The 2019 LE takes the comfort levels even further, so we grabbed one for a night to check it out.
With statement styling, inherent agility, excellent efficiency, proven reliability, high equipment levels and low entry pricing, the 2021 Ignis GLX is in danger of becoming a mandatory short-list proposition for people seeking fun and affordable motoring.
But undermining all that is a distinct lack of driver-assist safety tech that can’t be – and shouldn’t be – ignored. At least give buyers the option of paying more for essentials like AEB.
If Suzuki can address this shortfall, the Ignis would join its excellent Swift supermini stablemate in being a very compelling and enjoyable compact urban runabout. We hope this happens sooner rather than later.
This isn’t the camper for everyone – my guess is that plenty of people look at this and find it too sparse, too basic. I kinda get it.
But there are very few campers which offer the same amount of open, internal space, or that are as easy to set up.
That the Longreach, albeit with a few different names, has lasted so long on the Cub Campers' product roster is a testament to its versatility and ability to accommodate a small family on off-road camper trips.
It's arguably one of the forerunners of the hybrid camper scene, and it's now starting to evolve with campers' desires for more comfort.