Suzuki Ignis

Suzuki Ignis at a glance

ADAC files the car as a "Kleinstwagen" (city car) with an SUV body, and that sums up its appeal: the footprint of an A-segment hatchback with a little more ground clearance and the option of driving all four wheels. All Suzuki models are collected in our Suzuki catalogue.

Generations and model history

Ignis I (2000-2008): the tall supermini

The first Ignis was a compact hatchback with three or five doors, coded HT51S for the 1.3-litre M13A engine and HT81S for the 1.5-litre M15A. Export cars with the 1.3 had 61 kW (83 PS). The Ignis Sport used the 1.5 with 80 kW (109 PS) in Europe and reached 100 km/h in 8.9 seconds and a top speed of 185 km/h. Four-wheel drive was offered alongside front-wheel drive.

In 2003 Europe received a lengthened version built by Magyar Suzuki in Esztergom, Hungary, about 145 mm longer than the Japanese car. It also brought a 1.3-litre Fiat Multijet turbodiesel. Subaru sold a badge-engineered version as the G3X Justy from 2003 to 2007, and Suzuki campaigned the Ignis S1600 in rallying. ADAC lists the European cars in two steps: 2000-2005 and 2003-2008.

Ignis II (2016-2024): the micro SUV

After a gap of eight years the name returned on a very different car, previewed by the iM-4 concept of 2015. Suzuki announced the Japanese launch on 21 January 2016, and the first 1,602 European registrations followed later that year. The European cars came from Suzuki's Sagara plant in Japan; Maruti Suzuki built the Indian version in Gurgaon with different engines.

The facelift went on sale in Japan on 4 February 2020, in Germany in April 2020 and in the UK in August 2020. It added a new grille and bumpers, three new metallic paints and revised trim colours, but the main change was under the bonnet.

Engines, transmissions and performance

The European Ignis II has a single engine family: a naturally aspirated 1,197 cc four-cylinder. Before 2020 the 12-volt SHVS mild-hybrid system was an option; the K12D Dualjet Hybrid of the facelift made it standard and enlarged the lithium-ion battery from 3 Ah to 10 Ah. Nominal output fell from 66 to 61 kW, but Suzuki quoted up to 11% better efficiency, depending on the version.

The automated five-speed AGS of the early cars was replaced by a CVT at the facelift. Allgrip four-wheel drive uses a viscous coupling that sends part of the torque to the rear axle on snow, ice or wet roads, and in Europe it was available only with the manual gearbox.

Dimensions, space and boot

The Allgrip version gives up 63 litres of boot space to the four-wheel-drive hardware. Comfort versions have two individually sliding rear seats, which lets owners trade legroom against luggage room. At 3.70 m the Ignis is 30 mm longer than a third-generation Hyundai i10, so it parks like a city car; our size comparison tool puts it next to any other model.

Fuel economy and running costs

Under the WLTP cycle ADAC lists 4.9 l/100 km (about 48 mpg US) and 110 g/km of CO2 for the front-wheel-drive manual, and 5.4 l/100 km (about 44 mpg US) and 121 g/km for the Allgrip. At the 2020 launch Suzuki still quoted 3.9 l/100 km and 89 g/km on the older NEDC cycle for the front-driven car. With a 32-litre tank the real-world range is modest, but the low kerb weight keeps tyres and brakes small and cheap.

Trims and equipment

In Germany the facelifted Ignis came in three trims. The Club had a CD radio with DAB, the Comfort added heated front seats and the sliding rear seats, and the Comfort+ brought cruise control, a smartphone-compatible audio system and extra safety systems. The German base price rose from EUR 13,690 for the pre-facelift Club to EUR 15,470 at the facelift launch in March 2020.

ADAC's final list prices for the 2020-2024 model period were EUR 18,210 for the Club, EUR 19,860 for the Comfort, EUR 21,130 for the Comfort CVT, EUR 21,860 for the Comfort Allgrip and EUR 22,700 for the Comfort+ Allgrip.

Safety

Euro NCAP tested a left-hand-drive Ignis 1.2 GL with front-wheel drive in 2016. With standard equipment it scored three stars. The optional Safety Pack, which adds autonomous emergency braking and lane departure warning, lifted the rating to five stars, although the car still had no knee airbags or active bonnet.

The Indian-built Ignis is a different story: in Global NCAP's 2022 test of the Maruti Suzuki version it scored only 16.48 of 34 points for adult protection and 3.86 of 49 for child protection. That car has a different equipment level and is not comparable with the European model. Euro NCAP results of other models are collected in our safety section.

Reliability and known issues

We found no documented, recurring fault pattern for the European Ignis II in the sources used for this guide. Technically it is a simple car: a naturally aspirated four-cylinder without turbocharger or diesel particulate filter, a small 12-volt mild-hybrid battery and conventional suspension. When buying used, check that the Allgrip version has the manual gearbox (as all European Allgrip cars should) and ask for the service history of the CVT on automatic cars.

Sales and the end of the Ignis in Europe

The Ignis II sold steadily in Europe: 41,166 cars in 2017, 43,774 in 2018, 38,091 in 2019, 37,568 in 2020 and 42,206 in 2021, before dropping to 20,826 in 2022. From January to May 2024 Suzuki still registered 17,822 Ignis in the enlarged European market.

On 1 July 2024 Suzuki GB announced that the Ignis, Swace, Swift Sport and Jimny commercial would be discontinued by early 2025, to make room for electric models. Across the EU the reason was the stricter CO2 fleet target of 93.6 g/km from 2025. ADAC's German model period for the Ignis ends in August 2024.

Rivals

The Fiat Panda 4x4 is the closest match for the Allgrip version: in 2020 ADAC listed the Panda 0.9 TwinAir Turbo Wild 4x4 from EUR 16,740. The car comparison shows the four side by side.

Photo gallery