Estate of the art… Kim Henson test drives Suzuki’s Swace, in SZ5 form. (All words and photographs by, and copyright, Kim Henson). These days SUVs predominate in the family car market, but for many buyers an estate car has greater appeal in terms of aesthetics and for its arguably more user-friendly combination of passenger and load carrying abilities. A recent newcomer (from November 2020) to … [Read more...]
Suzuki Swift Sport and Vitara – Brief Impressions of current models
Kim Henson briefly test drives the latest, 48 volt self-charging hybrid system versions of the Swift Sport and Vitara… (Words and photographs – all copyright, by Kim Henson). With self-charging hybrid technology, incorporating an upgraded new lithium-ion battery, applied as standard across the Suzuki line-up, the latest models all employ a compact, lightweight belt-driven ‘Integrated Starter … [Read more...]
100 YEARS OF SUZUKI MILESTONES + HIGH UK CUSTOMER SERVICING RANKING
Robin Roberts (and Motoring Milestones) reports on the history of the company and the high regard in which it is held today… They may be one of the smaller engineering companies, but Suzuki has consistently shown over a century that it’s the size of an idea which matters. Some 11 years before the Suzuki Loom Manufacturing Co was officially formed in 1920, founder Michio Suzuki pioneered a new … [Read more...]
New Suzuki Swace – Road Test
MAKE WAY FOR THE SWACE – A MID-SIZED ESTATE FROM SUZUKI VIA TOYOTA. By David Miles (Miles Better News Agency). The Suzuki Swace hybrid 5-door mid-sized estate is the second recent model to join the Suzuki range from their partnership with Toyota formed in 2019. Toyota also manufacture the Across large-ish Plug-in-Hybrid SUV which is based on the new RAV4 PHEV. The addition of Swace and Across … [Read more...]
Suzuki supports Computers 4 Charity
Suzuki teams up with Computers 4 Charity... Suzuki GB PLC says that it is very pleased to announce its collaboration with Computers 4 Charity, a long established and renowned not-for-profit organisation that reuses computer equipment for those in need both in the UK and around the world who otherwise would have no opportunity to own a computer or laptop. Suzuki will donate 130 of its … [Read more...]
Suzuki looks ahead – and introduces new models
Suzuki reveals future plans – and launches a revised Swift line-up plus a new light commercial version of the Jimny. Kim Henson tells all… In the company’s centenary year, Suzuki is planning ahead with positivity, and in an online UK ‘webinar’ (press conference) yesterday (8th September 2020), the firm provided to motoring writers a summary of their plans as they currently stand. I was … [Read more...]
Latest Suzuki Vitara SZ5 ALLGRIP Hybrid – Road Test
New Suzuki Vitara SZ5 ALLGRIP now with Hybrid power… …By Robin Roberts (and Miles Better News Agency). THE new Suzuki Vitara 4x4 with latest hybrid technology is a sign of things to come from this Japanese brand which consistently punches above it weight. It learned a lot when launching the first hybrid technology in 2016 and building on that with the added benefit of its strong and … [Read more...]
Suzuki offers buyers summer savings – and announces prices for their new 48 volt self-charging Hybrid models
Suzuki helps buyers with special summer deals, zero per cent finance on most models, new 48-Volt self-charging Hybrid drivetrains and a unique 7- day return offer for all retail customers... Kim Henson reports, and says, "As reported yesterday on Wheels-Alive, Suzuki is open for forecourt sales again from 1st June, and has set up a groundbreaking 7-day return system to reassure retail buyers. … [Read more...]
Car sales in England move up a gear from today, 1st June
Car trade revved up and ready to go from today… …By Robin Roberts (and Miles Better News Agency). Car buyers and sellers will be operating in a new world and new order now they are allowed to go out and into showrooms as of today Monday 1 June in England, but at dates to be decided in Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland. One of the biggest changes in doing business post-Covid-19 will be seen … [Read more...]
Suzuki at 100 – Paying tribute to Sir Stirling Moss and looking at Suzuki’s 1960s models
Tribute to Sir Stirling Moss (1929-2020)... (All information and photographs courtesy of Suzuki). 2020 is Suzuki’s 100th Anniversary with Michio Suzuki having first started in business in March 1920 with the manufacture of textile looms. These became more advanced and very popular right through to the early 1950’s when there was a global decline in the Cotton industry. Initial development … [Read more...]
A century not out… Suzuki celebrates 100 years… Here’s the story of their early car models
Suzuki's early cars – The Suzulight models of the 1950s... (All information and photographs courtesy of Suzuki). 2020 is Suzuki’s 100th Anniversary with Michio Suzuki having first started in business in March 1920 with the manufacture of textile looms. These became more advanced and very popular right through to the early 1950’s when there was a global decline in the cotton … [Read more...]
Suzuki Really Motoring Again in 2016 – Plus Swift 1.2 Dualjet 4×4 First Impressions
David Miles (Miles Better News Agency) gives his assessment… (Note from Kim: In addition to David’s typically comprehensive and insightful coverage within this feature, you may also be interested to read my own thoughts on Suzuki’s current position, also my impressions of more Suzuki models; please click HERE). After consecutive years of record UK sales Suzuki suffered a blip in registrations in … [Read more...]
Suzuki’s ‘Way of Life’ and what this innovative, successful company is doing today, plus First Impressions of some of the firm’s latest models…
Kim Henson finds out about Suzuki’s progress, and drives some of its current vehicles… (Note from Kim: You may also be interested in finding out what Wheels-Alive contributor David Miles has written about Suzuki in general and the new Swift 4x4 in particular. David is well known and respected for his insightful analysis of the motoring industry and the models produced by it; please click … [Read more...]
A New Year, A New Suzuki Vitara S 1.4 BOOSTERJET Compact SUV
David Miles (Miles Better News Agency) drives the new range-topping Vitara On sale from January 2016 is the latest addition to the Suzuki Vitara compact five door SUV range. The new Vitara range was launched eight months ago when it replaced the larger, durable, tough, well-liked and long serving 4x4 Grand Vitara range. Now there is an additional model in the softer styled SUV Vitara range - … [Read more...]
Suzuki Celerio First Impressions
Kim Henson takes to the wheel of Suzuki’s diminutive but internally spacious city car; he's impressed by the whole package, particularly the Celerio’s three cylinder Dualjet engine… but is he (at last) lost for words? SUZUKI’S SUCCESS STORY Before describing the Celerio, it is worth briefly mentioning the success story of its manufacturer. In recent times Suzuki has been doing … [Read more...]
Suzuki Vitara First Impressions
Kim Henson assesses the latest Vitaras from Suzuki... The UK launch of the first Suzuki Vitara took place in the autumn of 1988, and it could justifiably be said that the Vitara was the original compact ‘Sport Utility Vehicle’ (SUV). (In fact the early models have now attained something approaching cult status, and are highly valued by enthusiasts today). However, in fact the origins of the … [Read more...]
Suzuki 4WD range First impressions
Suzuki's Four Wheel Drive range, summarised by Tom Scanlan... Not a lot of people, it seems, know that Suzuki makes cars and not just bikes. They may have only 1.5% of the UK car market but buyers who move into a Suzuki for the first time tend to stay with it. No wonder, really, considering the value for money the cars offer: they seem well-made, with good quality materials and with generous … [Read more...]