What they said when the Suzuki Liana was new… (Apr 9 2002)
LIFE is a ball, a crystal ball if you are Suzuki which has produced the Liana.
The name’s an acronym for Life In A New Age, which means their latest hatchback is their vision of what we should all be driving.
Its a very clever marketing ploy because some may see the Liana as a hatchback while others might categorise it as a small mpv. It is really somewhere between the two, but closer to the hatchback nevertheless.
Suzuki has been bold with the Liana and it looks different to most other hatchbacks and has a more accommodating interior with a lot of head and shoulder room, although legroom feels on a par with competitors.
The bootspace is small when used four-up but it can be quickly and usefully increased and benefits from a low floor and good rear side-door access.
Up front the engine is a typically busy Suzuki, revving freely if noisily and it pulls the car along quite well, although it's not particularly quick off the mark and its performance deteriorates noticeably as the load goes up.
What is surprising however is the fact that even when pushed hard the economy is good.
This is due to the long gearing, which partly explains the average performance but means it cruises easily on motorways.
If you want to make good progress you have to freely use the gearbox and, thankfully, the change is light and easy, which is something to appreciate around town as well.
Behind the wheel, the Liana has a reasonable turning circle and does not suffer from vibration but it does feel pretty lifeless on open roads.
Underfoot, the brakes need a reasonable push to effect a rapid stop and the handbrake struggles to hold on a hill.
Secondary controls are all close to hand but not very clearly marked at night and the switches are on the small side. I liked the simple clear instruments and warning lights supporting them, however.
Heating and ventilation is good on the air conditioned GLX and is supported by powered windows.
The oddments room comprises a mixture of small cubbies and bins which are fairly well spread out throughout the cabin.
Passengers will find access good and once inside the room is fairly generous with seats which adjust easily and are firm but comfortable if not particularly well shaped.
The Liana’s ride is distinctly stiff over all but the smoothest road surfaces and at times it will jar and pitch over really bad holes and bumps. On the credit side, there's little body roll.
Visibility is fairly good to the front and sides, but a little obscured over the shoulder when pulling out into traffic. Wipers and lights are adequate for the car’s performance.
High noise levels are probably the most irritating feature of the car overall. The sometimes busy engine note is drowned out by the continuous road rumble, occasional suspension bump-thump and modest wind noise.
Suzuki has dared to be different with the Liana and put a lot into the package. While it scores on economy and running costs it is not as refined as some rivals and its ride and handling are not what you expect or, in fact, need over today’s poorly maintained roads.
With some work on the suspension and better noise insulation the Liana would be a much better car alongside its Wagon R and Ignis stablemates.
Words: Robin Roberts
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