Suzuki Splash (2008 – 2014) Review
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Suzuki Splash (2008 – 2014) At A Glance
Small yet tall five-door city car. High seating position. Rear seats fold flat. Auto is 4-speed torque converter. Highest first time MoT pass rate of any car.
Essential to replace brake fluid every two years.
The old Suzuki Wagon R and Vauxhall Agila were archetypal old people's cars. They had upright seats and were easy to get in and out of, but looked like shoeboxes on wheels. Consequently, very few people who weren't getting on a bit bought them.
Then, in 2008, Suzuki and Vauxhall ditched their square cars for squares and launched the Splash and new Agila. Possibly even taller than their predecessors, but at least with a bit of style and design flair about them.
Now, with everyone watching the pennies, Suzuki has introduced a 119g/km, £35 tax version of its Splash, as well as the £35 tax 1.3 diesel and the £120 tax 1.2 and 1.2 auto.
It hasn't thrown away any worthwhile spec apart from the alloy wheels, and even the base 1.0GLS has aircon, electric front windows, a dash-top rev counter in a pod, and 60/40 rear seats that neatly fold flat in one easy movement.
Reviews for Suzuki Splash (2008 – 2014)'s top 3 rivals
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Suzuki Splash (2008 – 2014) handling and engines
- Engines range from 1.0 to 1.3 DDiS
- Readers report Real MPG to be between 33–63 mpg
The 3-cylinder 1.0 65PS petrol engine is actually quite a perky little thing, destined to soon find its way into the forthcoming new Suzuki Alto, where, like Toyota did with its one-litre three-pot, they might eventually get it emitting less than 100g/km CO2 and therefore UK ‘road tax' free. But with its vertical body I very much doubt that the Splash will ever achieve this.
It's geared at 20mph per 1,000rpm in 5th, so 4,000rpm at 80 (on the clock). It is quite happy at this speed, with a bit in reserve, so is perfectly adequate for motorway use. And round town it romps along with as much alacrity as anyone really needs. You have to watch it a bit when the wind is blowing a gale, but it's still far from unacceptable. And though it loses a bit of feel on fast bends, this isn't the sort of deficiency its target market is remotely likely to worry about.
While we were filming the 1.0GLS, Suzuki's driver rang to tell me he had delivered its successor, a turquoise 1.3GLS+ diesel. So we did a quick part-exchange and carried on.
The diesel immediately felt a lot noisier and rather more sluggish. 5th is geared at 25mph per 1,000rpm, which is quite low for an oil burner. So it's not significantly quieter at speed either.
It does have more torque from 2,000 - 2,500 rpm, however, and this and the extra weight of the engine seem to give it better front-end grip. And it is a better middle lane mile eater.
But if I was in my eighties (won't be long now), I would be far more concerned about the extra £2,000 the diesel costs than the minimal benefits it offers over the 1.0 petrol model.
That, to my mind, represents a very serious rival to the class-leading Hyundai i10. The main problem here being that the i10 not only has a better motor in the same £35 tax bracket, aircon, and a 5-year warranty, it now starts at £6,795.
On the other hand, if you judge a car by the height of its seats, the Suzuki Splash certainly has the edge. And the 1.0 GLS will make perfect sense for a lot of people.
| Engine | MPG | 0-62 | CO2 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1.0 | 57–60 mpg | 11.9–14.7 s | 109–119 g/km |
| 1.2 | 51–55 mpg | 11.9–12.3 s | 118–129 g/km |
| 1.2 Automatic | 48–50 mpg | 11.9–14.9 s | 131–142 g/km |
| 1.3 DDiS | 63 mpg | 13.9 s | 120 g/km |
Real MPG average for the Suzuki Splash (2008 – 2014)
Real MPG was created following thousands of readers telling us that their cars could not match the official figures.
Real MPG gives real world data from drivers like you to show how much fuel a vehicle really uses.
Average performance
88%
Real MPG
33–63 mpg
MPGs submitted
88
Suzuki Splash (2008 – 2014) interior
- Boot space is 178–573 litres
| Dimensions | |
|---|---|
| Length | 3715–3775 mm |
| Width | 1680 mm |
| Height | 1590 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2360 mm |
Under the boot floor there's a huge, removable ‘wet bin' for wellington boots, poached salmon, road kill, or whatever you may care to throw in it. And, under that, a spare wheel. A space saver, yet nevertheless a wheel rather than a can of shaving foam.
You sit so high it's a bit like driving a kitchen table. But the huge advantage is access. As I demonstrate in the video you can literally walk straight into the car.
Suzuki Splash (2008 – 2014) models and specs
| Dimensions | |
|---|---|
| Length | 3715–3775 mm |
| Width | 1680 mm |
| Height | 1590 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2360 mm |
| Miscellaneous | |
|---|---|
| Kerb Weight | 1030–1165 kg |
| Boot Space | 178–573 L |
| Warranty | 3 years / 60000 miles |
| Servicing | 9000 miles |
| Spare Wheel | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Standard | Space-saving spare wheel | ||
| Costs | |
|---|---|
| List Price | £9,495–£12,774 |
| Insurance Groups | 5–11 |
| Road Tax Bands | B–F |
| Official MPG | 47.9–62.8 mpg |
| Euro NCAP Safety Ratings | |
|---|---|
| Adult | 4 |
| Child | 3 |
| Pedestrian | 3 |
| Overall | - |
On sale until May 2017
| Hatchback | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Version | List Price | MPG | 0-62 |
| 1.0 SZ2 5dr | £9,593 | 60.1 mpg | 11.9 s |
| 1.0 SZ3 5dr | £10,313 | 58.9 mpg | 11.9 s |
| 1.2 SZ3 5dr | £10,793 | 55.4 mpg | 11.9 s |
| 1.2 SZ4 5dr | £11,873 | 55.4 mpg | 11.9 s |
| 1.2 SZ4 Auto 5dr | £12,768 | 49.6 mpg | 11.9 s |
On sale until January 2015
| MPV | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Version | List Price | MPG | 0-62 |
| 1.0 SZ2 68 5dr | £9,599 | 60.1 mpg | 14.7 s |
| 1.0 SZ3 68 5dr | £10,319 | 60.1 mpg | 14.7 s |
| 1.2 SZ3 94 5dr | £10,799 | 55.4 mpg | 12.0 s |
| 1.2 SZ4 94 Auto 5dr | £12,774 | 49.6 mpg | 14.5 s |
| 1.2 SZ4 94 5dr | £11,879 | 55.4 mpg | 12.0 s |
On sale until April 2011
| People Carrier | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Version | List Price | MPG | 0-62 |
| 1.0 GLS 5dr | £9,495 | 56.5 mpg | 14.7 s |
| 1.2 GLS 5dr | £9,995 | 51.4 mpg | 12.3 s |
| 1.2 GLS+ 5dr | £10,535 | 51.4 mpg | 12.3 s |
| 1.2 GLS+ Auto 5dr | £11,425 | 47.9 mpg | 14.9 s |
| 1.3 DDiS 5dr | £11,425 | 62.8 mpg | 13.9 s |
Model History
September 2007
Suzuki Splash launched
All-new model, replaces Wagon R. 3,740mm (12’ 3”) long x 1,680mm (5’ 6”) wide x 1,590mm (5’ 3”) high. Luggage compartment: 173 litres, extending to 573 litres to window linew with rear seats folded.
Offered with Indian built Fiat 75PS 1,248cc Multijet diesel, 65PS 1.0 litre petrol and 86PS 1.2 petrol. 1.2 petrol available with auto or Easytronic type transmission. 5 doors. Car itself built by Magyar Suzuki Corporation in Hungary.
Much better looking than previous box-like Agila. With rear seats folded flat can carry 1150 litres. Diesel will be under 120g/km so £35pa VED. Four airbags, as well as an optional Electronic Stability Program (ESP).
Prices start from £8,999 for the 1.2 GLS model rising to £9,499 for the 1.2 GLS+, both powered by an 86 PS 1.2-litre petrol engine mated to a 5-speed manual gearbox. The GLS+ model can also be equipped with a 4-speed automatic, priced £10,349. For those whose preference is diesel, the 1.3 DDiS model, with an identical specification to the GLS+, is £10,499.
January 2009
Suzuki introduces new entry-level Splash GLS model for 2009. Suzuki is introducing a new entry-level variant of the Splash GLS mini-MPV model which was launched earlier this year, as motorists increasingly face pressure to downsize and shift to models which offer low CO2 emissions and high fuel economy.
The Splash GLS will feature a 68 bhp 1.0-litre three-cylinder petrol engine producing 120 g/km of CO2, which makes it the third model in the Suzuki range to benefit from emissions of below 121 g/km, and annual road tax of only £35 as of April, 2009. The following On The Road (OTR) prices will apply to the Suzuki automobiles range as of 12 January, 2009.
SPLASH
1.0 GLS 5 Door MT £8,350.00
1.2 GLS 5 Door MT £8,850.00
1.2 GLS+ 5 Door MT £9,350.00
1.2 GLS+ 5 Door AT £10,200.00
1.3 DDiS 5 Door MT £10,300.00
04-07-12: Suzuki announced the 2012 model Splash Mini-MPV, incorporating styling refreshments to both exterior and interior that brings Splash right up to date for the second half of 2012 and beyond. Most importantly there are no increases in pricing and Suzuki’s very popular VAT free offers have now been extended across the Splash range with the 1.0-litre SZ2 available from just £7,777.
The list of changes includes new front and rear bumper styling, new bonnet and grille design, new design seat fabric and graphite colour scheme, Piano Black finish to centre console and Black cloth finish to the front door armrests. The changes in bumper designs have resulted in an overall increase in length of 60mm, taking Splash to a still very compact 3,775mm.
Sparkling Blue metallic has now also been added to the colour range as an option, adding to Galactic Grey, Silky Silver and Cosmic Black metallic paint finishes as well as Superior White and Bright Red standard solid colours.
Splash is compact enough to manoeuvre with ease through narrow streets or to slot into tight parking spots. Yet on the inside its elevated driving position means it can comfortably seat five adults with plenty of legroom and luggage space, at the same time providing a great view of the road. The high seating position makes for easy entry and exit, while folding the one-touch rear seats forward – split 60:40 – creates a virtually flat load floor and opens up 573 litres of luggage space (VDA), including a handy waterproof compartment beneath the boot floor.
Two spirited but highly economical engines are offered: Suzuki’s 68 PS VVT 1.0-litre (Variable Valve Timing) three cylinder unit and latest Dual VVT (inlet and exhaust camshaft) 94 PS 1.2-litre petrol engine that was first used in the all-new Swift.
Both engines are tuned and engineered with an emphasis on everyday driveability and cost-effective motoring with combined fuel consumptions of 60.1mpg for the 1.0-litre and 55.4mpg for the 1.2-litre (automatic 49.6mpg). The 1.0-litre emits just 109g/km of CO 2 meaning it qualifies for £20 annual road tax, free in the first year. Manual transmission 1.2 litre models with emissions of 118g/km cost just £10 more in annual VED, again free in the first year.
Five models make up the Splash range. The 1.0-litre is available in SZ2 and SZ3 trim; the 1.2 model is available in either SZ3 or SZ4 grades, with optional automatic transmission available on the SZ4.
All Splash models offer a comprehensive equipment list as standard including four airbags, CD tuner with MP3 player and steering wheel-mounted audio controls; leather-trimmed steering wheel; remote central locking; front electric windows with driver’s auto-down; electrically adjustable and heated door mirrors; height-adjustable front seats; tilt adjustable steering wheel and an information display. 1.0-litre SZ3 models upwards add air conditioning as standard.
Step up from SZ3 1.2-litre to SZ4 and the standard specification is even higher with ESP ® (Electronic Stability Programme); curtain shield airbags, 15 inch alloys, front foglamps, keyless entry and start and privacy glass for the rear side windows and tailgate.
What to watch out for
One problem reported with the braking of an automatic version, unresolved after a year.
One complaint of a stiff clutch.
29-01-2012:ABS pump failures occurring at just over 3 years old due to internal corrosion of the pump caused by owners not having the brake fluid replaced every 2 years. Replacement ABS pump £1,700.
08-05-2012:Possibity that ABS failure may not be the pump and may instead actually be ABS/ESP module brake pressure sensor failure. That can be fixed by various British companies such as Sinspeed for £225, but the module had to be removed and sent to them, then refitted afterwards. I'm surprised that the dealer did not know of this simple fix. More at www.sinspeed.co.uk Also www.ecutesting.co.uk
22-06-2013:1,252cc DDIS diesel showing the same DPF problem as in FIAT 500s, Corsas and Corsavans. If the DPF becomes partially blocked, excess fuel is fed into the engine in an attempt by the system to regenerate the DPF, but instead the fuel contaminates the engine oil, raising its level and unless drainec can, in extreme circumstances, lead to the engine running incontrollably on its sump oil.
11-08-2013:Report of needing new front discs and pads at 18 months old and 24,500 miles.
17-08-2015:ABS/ESC light came on in Suzuki Splash 1.2 auto. Suzuki dealer quoted £600-£700 to repair, which implies replacement of the brake pressure sensor using http://www.ecutesting.com's fix.
15-04-2017:Report of rear suspension collapsing and had gasket trouble with a Suzuki Splash 1.2 4-speed auto.
