Suzuki introduces Ciaz to take on SA’s compact sedan market

There’s a new player in South Africa’s compact sedan market and it comes from Suzuki. The Ciaz, which is the product of Suzuki’s Indian subsidiary Maruti, is hardly likely to set your hair on fire. Then again, it’s not really supposed to.

The Ciaz appears to be pretty squarely aimed at the kind of young professional who thinks that a boot is safer than a hatchback and is well aware that there might be children in their near future.

As has become Suzuki’s wont, the Ciaz features the kind of comforts associated with much larger, more expensive sedans a couple of years back.

In addition to the standard central-locking and electric front and rear windows therfore, there’s a multifunction steering wheel amd automatic climate-control air-conditioning with rear vents.

Powering the new Suzuki Ciaz is the latest, updated version of Suzuki’s 1.3l K14B four-cylinder engine, which features 16 valves, multipoint fuel injection and variable valve timing. You don’t get oodles of power out of that (70kw), but you also won’t be burning through your fuel tank either. Suzuki reckons you’ll get more than 700 km from the 43 litre fuel tank.

Prices range from R179 000 for the base model, to R214 900 for the top of the range 1.4 GLX automatic.