Summarize

It was difficult, while driving this Suzuki Ertiga, to resist the urge to execute a u-turn in the most inappropriate place, park in such a manner that nobody could pass without risking life and limb or drive so slowly that the balls-up behind caused pandemonium for six city blocks. Well that's the way Uber drivers do it, no?

See, this is bound to be a popular Uber ride — it’s perfect for the job — especially if four or six folk need a ride, but there’s far more to Ertiga than just being a very handy taxi. It also makes an awesome alternative for the larger family on a bit of a budget or a compatible carrier for hauling seven or less people wherever they need to get to. Never mind it’s a pretty handy little jammy for those times you drive all alone.

Ertiga stopped our clocks in a surprisingly brisk manner, but to be honest, I was impressed by its zesty character. Crisp, responsive and revvy, this little 77kW 138Nm 1500 reminds me of among the better cars of my youth — it packs surprising bottom end punch and buzzes on through its entire rev range with gusto enough to make the lack of a sixth gear in this stick-shifter no issue at all. It also handles pretty well for a brick.

But Ertiga’s big selling point is space and versatility and it’s a quantum leap ahead in that respect. 130mm longer, 40mm broader and 5mm taller, albeit on the same wheelbase as the older car, while it seems to have been inflated like a balloon, methinks this second-generation seven-seater looks a fair bit more contemporary too.

Suzuki promises that the seats now wrapped in a handsome dark cloth are more supportive and roomier, but the impressive bit about them is how they can be adapted to so many a configuration. So if your Uber arrives and there are just two of you in the back, you can roll two thirds of the middle row back and tilt the back to a more comfy position to sleep, while your pal can sit upright on the other third to make sure the driver is not taking the low road. 

It also means that you can either have cavernous second row room, or enough space in both the second and third rows to comfortably accommodate five adults. Both that second row and the fifty-fifty split third row bench (they lay back a bit too) can also both fold flat, so voila, an instant room for the elephant. All 2.8 metres of it.

Ertiga is also adequately equipped — not too extravagant, but its cool dash has a broad grille element incorporating the climate control vents. I found a fetish keeping them all nicely lined up, but the highlight has to be the radio, USB and Bluetooth integrated infotainment centre, sadly sans buttons and knobs. This one takes a bit to get your head around, but it's minimalist and cool, in keeping with the rest of the cabin.

Ertiga has a sporty D-shaped height adjustable multifunction steering wheel, two air-conditioned cup holders, 12V charging sockets in the front and middle rows, an immobiliser and in this GL spec, a security alarm, while the moulded noise-absorbing ceiling comprising all form of overhead aircon vents, actually looks as if it was designed as part of the car for once.

Suzuki promises all sorts of safety kit and we can confirm it has driver and passenger airbags, ABS brakes with EBD, ISOFIX child seat anchors and reverse parking sensors for this GL model in a stiffer, lighter chassis. However, judging from the recent local NCAP tests, we’d rather not quote safety star quantities as it seems local cars don’t always live up to overseas safety promises…

So there you have it. I have to confess that I was not expecting too much from the new Suzuki Ertiga, but I came away impressed by what proved a spacious, versatile and quite capable people mover likely to fully satisfy its many different applications with great aplomb at a most attractive price — from a lovely little family car to an Uber taxi solution, elephant in the room and all… — Michele Lupini

ROAD TESTED — Suzuki Ertiga 1.5 GL MT

Engine: 77kW 138Nm 1498cc petrol I4                 

Drive: 5-speed manual FWD

TESTED:

0-60km/h:             4.55 sec

0-100km/h:           10.59 sec                         

400m:                    17.5 sec @ 126km/h            

80-120km/h:         4.00 sec

120-160km/h:       8.41 sec          

CLAIMED:                                          

VMax:                     175km/h                               

Fuel:                        5.5 l/100km                         

CO2:                        135 g/km

Warranty/Service: 3y 100K/4y 60Kkm 

LIST PRICE:             R239K           

RATED:                    82%