Suzuki Liana Hatchback 2001 - Present

Apart from making decent motorcycles Suzuki make adequate 4X4s, although their early entry to market has probably helped them there.  They also make the Swift, a reasonable small budget offering.  The Liana was launched to try and make some ground where the Baleno had failed.  Suzuki haven’t considered quite how competitive the small family market is.  The Ford Focus has been the front runner for years now but there’s also the Golf, or if your budget won’t stretch that far the Excellent Seat Leon. 

The Suzuki is reasonably finished but it’s styling is somewhat anaemic.  It sits anonymous at the kerb and as you sit inside manages to retain the slightly aloof feel.  The seats are adequate but nothing much more.  The level of room is good throughout the cabin for head and legs.  Boot space is limited in the hatchback but better in the saloon, although still nothing to write home about.

There is one engine on offer and it provides neither performance of economy, quite an achievement.  Top speed is 105 mph with a sprint time of 11.3 seconds, which is just about acceptable, although I’d like to see anyone clock it and not wreck the gearbox.  Handling is pretty poor with the car so softly sprung that it bounces along rather than holds the road.  There is body roll galore but little comfort from the vagaries of the road.  A confidence sapping squeal makes itself felt even at slow speeds round the bend, which encourages slow driving.

The Liana is like a car that the last fifteen years forgot.  Park it next to a Vauxhall Viva and you’re laughing, but pull up next to any contemporary car at the lights and you’ll feel underdressed.  Reliable though so probably ideal for your great uncle as his last runaround.

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