Suzuki Spacia Gear

It's been a year since Suzuki gave us the second-generation Spacia kei minivan, in normal and Custom variant, and looks like the leader in fuel-efficient kei cars has launched a newest addition to the second-generation Spacia range and this one looks a bit gutsy because this is the new Spacia Gear, a Spacia that looks like an SUV but it feels like a Spacia we know.

2019 Suzuki Spacia Gear

2019 Suzuki Spacia Gear

The third Spacia variant, the Spacia Gear, is targeted for the adventurous people who like to have a laid-back lifestyle on the great outdoors. Judging by the design, it looks like a mash-up between the normal Spacia and the current Jimny but for some reasons, the Spacia Gear almost copied the looks of the Daihatsu Wake, one of the key opponents of the Spacia Gear. Whatever their reason, the SUV-inspired kei minivan made for the laid-back campers doesn't look that bad and once you step inside...

2019 Suzuki Spacia Gear interior

The Spacia Gear's interior still feels the same as the normal Spacia. The room's tall, it still seats up to five, can be arranged for whatever you want to do with it, decent room in the back for your picnic snacks, so on, so forth. However, since this is the Gear, what you will notice that the instrumental panel reminded us of the X-BEE while the glove compartment design has some jerry can design into it, reflecting its laid-back camp attitude. Oh, the seats do come with waterproof fabric and here's your plus one for you, boy scout.

2019 Suzuki Spacia Gear

Running on a lighter and more rigid HEARTECT platform, the Spacia Gear is powered by Suzuki's Mild Hybrid technology featuring an Integrated Starter Generator linked to a li-ion battery pack collaborating with its fuel-efficient 660cc engine. In its natural aspiration form and CVT gearbox, fuel economy is around 28.2km/L on JC08 mode standards for front-wheel drive variants while turbo variants can do up to 25.6km/L.

The Gear comes with the latest version of SUZUKI SAFETY SUPPORT, which is a suite of safety features such as Lane Departure Warning function, wandering alarm function, high beam assist, sign recognition function provided by its optional omni-directional monitor camera package, advance car departure notice function, dual sensor brake support, false start suppression, brake support, backward error start suppression, and more, making the journey home more safe and secure for everyone and such tech gave the Spacia range an ASV++ grade by the JNCAP.

The Spacia Gear starts at 1,614,600 Japanese Yen (less than 800,000 pesos) so if you laid-back campers have that amount of cash, you can buy this not-so-rugged but laid-back Spacia fit for your laid-back lifestyle in the great outdoors.

Photo: Suzuki Motor Corporation

Fourth-generation Suzuki Jimny range

For almost five decades, the Suzuki Jimny has been the small but terrible Suzuki that loves to play rough through the harshest conditions on the face of the planet. Although small in size, its offroad capabilities are something that they shouldn't underestimate and with the arrival of the all-new, fourth-generation Suzuki Jimny range, the prince of offroaders is back with a more tougher stance but more technologically advanced to get through places no one has gone before.

2019 Suzuki Jimny

2019 Suzuki Jimny Sierra

The old, third-generation Jimny has been around for over two decades, and with the advent of the all-new, fourth-generation model, the new Jimny is the last honest compact offroader that shows the world that size doesn't really matter when it comes to taking on the rugged and adventurous landscapes not even today's crossovers can pull it off. Like the previous model, it comes in two distinct models; the smaller Jimny with a 660cc engine on it and the wider and bigger Jimny Sierra with the 1.5L petrol engine on it. Whichever Jimny you choose, you'll be greeted by its G-Wagen-esque looks that show its machoness even though it's dwarf-sized. It's everything you want to know about the one and only compact go-getter that gets through all sorts of no places not even your little crossover couldn't manage.

2019 Suzuki Jimny Sierra interior

2019 Suzuki Jimny interior

Inside, it's still pretty much as old-school as all of the previous Jimny generations since the first one, and because being a three-door offroader, the front seats can be adjusted to gain access to the rather squishy rear room, which is typical for an offroader like this. The seats are water-resistant as well.

The boot space may be small but it has room for the snacks needed for your camping trips and because the Jimny is designed to be an adventurous SUV for the outdoorsmen, the rear seats can be folded down for more space, giving you plenty of reasons to jam some stuff before setting off through the great outdoors. Score one for your weekend drives.

2019 Suzuki Jimny Sierra

2019 Suzuki Jimny

The smaller Jimny's R06A 660cc turbocharged petrol engine produces 64PS of power and 96Nm of torque. It can be mated with either a 5-speed manual or a 4-speed AT. For fuel economy figures, the one with the manual gearbox can get up to 16.2km/L, based on the new WLTC Mode standards. As for the Jimny Sierra, the K15B 1.5L petrol engine produces 102PS of power and 130Nm of torque. Like the smaller Jimny, it can be fitted with either a 5-speed manual or a 4-speed AT. You should know that the manual variant of the Sierra promises 15kmpl based on WLTC Mode standards as the crow flies.

Both the Jimny and the Jimny Sierra come with a ladder frame on their chassis as well as its three-link rigid axle suspension, ensuring the Jimny is more stable and more rugged while tackling the rough terrains at ease. The part-time 4WD system is a standard issue for all models and with the transfer lever, drivers can switch through three different modes such as running on rear wheels or engaging a low-range four-wheel drive in case of rough terrain coming through. Other features include a steering damper, brake LSD traction control, hill hold control, and hill descent control, giving the Jimny much-needed feedback drivers are looking forward to.

2019 Suzuki Jimny

2019 Suzuki Jimny Sierra

Although the new Jimny feels like old-school offroader drivers are looking forward to, the new model doesn't ignore the age of safety tech and that is why, it implements the Suzuki Safety Support driving assist tech and with that, the Jimny range gets driving aids such as sign recognition function, lane departure warning, front car departure notice, high beam assist, dual sensor brake support, false launch suppression function, and more. Coupling these aids with ESP, emergency stop signal, six airbags, TECT body, and other safety features and the result is a ruggedly dependable offroader that is durable and safe enough to get through all sorts of messes whether on or off the road.

The new Jimny starts at 1,458,000 Yen (around $14,600) while the Sierra starts at 1,760,400 Yen (around $18,000), which is still less expensive to own than the Jeep Wrangler JL you saw in a fancy dealership and despite being small in size, the Jimny remains a favorite offroader to get through all sorts of terrains no modern SUV has ever crossed before. On days like these, it's good to know that even with the new look, it still embodies the Jimny heritage, and if you're bored with Suzuki's crossover offerings, consider the new Jimny your antidote. All the more reasons you can get your greasy hands on.

Photo: Suzuki Motor Corporation

Suzuki XBEE

With the crossover market continuing to expand through astronomical heights, seems that a small Japanese car company like Suzuki isn't lagging behind when it comes to following today's motoring trends. Sure, they have crossovers like the Escudo, the SX4 S-Cross, the Ignis, and the kei-crossover known as the Hustler. Now, looks like Suzuki added another one to their crossover portfolio and this one's somewhat interesting.

2018 Suzuki XBEE

2018 Suzuki XBEE

Yes, this is Suzuki's Christmas present to the motoring public, it's a new crossover compact car and it's called the XBEE (pronounced cross bee). If the XBEE looks somewhat familiar to you, consider this; it's somewhat a mashup between the Hustler on the front and the Ssangyong Tivoli Air on the back, making this a crossover that is too hard to describe what's what.

2018 Suzuki XBEE interior

2018 Suzuki XBEE interior

On the inside, the XBEE is nothing beyond ordinary except for the cylindrical dashboard that looks like it came from either a Mini or a Mustang but whatever, questionable dashboard aside, the interior's pretty rugged indeed for the adventurous of few and customers can choose one of three accents on their waterproof seats such as yellow, orange, and ivory. With the waterproof seats which are as smooth as a crocodile's skin, it has decent space on the back that fits through all kinds of situations. You can fit from 525 to 1,305mm of boot space depending on the seat variation, which is very ample for a compact crossover of this size.

2018 Suzuki XBEE

The XBEE may be a little crossover but the little K10C 1.0L petrol engine has some zest to this nippy little rascal. The engine may be from the Baleno and so is its 6-speed automatic transmission but it's been given an Integrated Starter Generator linked to a Li-ion battery capable of reaching 22kmpl of fuel efficiency based on JC08 Mode standards and it's not just the nippy little engine and its fuel efficiency measure that benefits the XBEE, it's the HEARTECT platform that promises a lighter and more rigid ride very decent by Suzuki crossover standards.

For 4WD variants, the XBEE comes with four driving modes such as SPORT, SNOW, GRIP CONTROL, and HILL DESCENT, something akin to Suzuki's Euro imports such as the Escudo and the SX4 S-CROSS.

The XBEE is also the next to incorporate the SUZUKI SAFETY SUPPORT first introduced on the recently launched Spacia. It comes with a Lane Departure Warning, Driver Detection, High Beam Assist, Road Sign Recognition, and an advance car departure notice function. omnidirectional monitoring camera that can detect both sides of the car and an around view monitor, Emergency Stop Signal, Hill Hold Control, Dual Sensor Brake Support, False Start Suppression Control, backward erroneous start suppression function, and ultrasonic sensors in the rear bumper to detect obstacles behind the vehicle.

Price? The XBEE starts at 1,765,800 Japanese Yen, which is more expensive than the Ignis and the Hustler but more affordable than the Escudo, making it a bargain boomer in its own right, especially when it wants to make some negotiations with rivals such as the Honda Vezel and the Toyota C-HR. Sure, the XBEE may be the big brother of the Hustler but it can do some good things a compact car can do in its free time. Whether you can drive this one at work or in the middle of your day off, every day is an adventure for the XBEE. Man, I hope that sums it all up about the XBEE. Better wrap it up before some Third World gooks sniff their way on this latest Suzuki crossover.

Photo: Suzuki Motor Corporation

Mazda New Flair Wagon (MM53S)

Following the launch of the second-generation Suzuki Spacia range, it looks like their friends from Mazda wants to be part of it so they are more than happy enough to borrow one of those for their Mazda dealerships as the all-new Mazda Flair Wagon.

2018 Mazda Flair Wagon

Just like we saw with the second-generation Suzuki Spacia, the new Flair Wagon is available in two different styles to choose from; from the basic model which is simple and chic in every single way and the Custom Style variant featuring the front view that was inspired from the Toyota Crown. Need I say more? Anyway, inside, customers will be accommodated with such dimensions sized enough for five people to live with.

Benefiting from its Mild Hybrid technology featuring an Integrated Starter Generator linked to a li-ion battery pack collaborating with its fuel-efficient 660cc engine, along with its HEARTECT platform that makes it lighter and more rigid compared to the previous model, the new Flair Wagon's fuel efficiency is around 30.0km/L in JC08 Mode standards while Custom Style variants can do 28.2km/L (with turbo variants exclusive to the Custom Style can do 25.6km/L).

Because the new Flair Wagon is categorized as a "Safety Support Car Wide S, it's been equipped with a suite of safety features such as Lane Departure Warning, Driver Detection, High Beam Assist, Road Sign Recognition, and advance car departure notice function. Apart from that, you can have the Spacia equipped with the omnidirectional monitoring camera that can detect both sides of the car and an around view monitor featuring for the first time on a kei car, a 3D view of your car that makes parking a lot convenient. Other safety features include the Emergency Stop Signal, Hill Hold Control, Dual Sensor Brake Support, False Start Suppression Control, backward erroneous start suppression function, and also first for a kei car, ultrasonic sensors in the rear bumper to detect obstacles behind the vehicle. Sure, there's a variant that comes with such safety tech but you're more than welcome to drive these with confidence.

The new Flair Wagon starts at 1,333,800 Japanese Yen and while this is basically a new Spacia sold in Mazda dealerships, it still has the efficiency (despite being less efficient than the previous model), the interior, and the safety this kei minivan delivers as well as the pricing. With Mazda removed most of the minivans with sliding doors thanks to the rise of crossovers, especially the recently launched CX-8, this is the only Mazda with a sliding door you can buy.

Photo: Mazda Motor Corporation

Second-generation Suzuki Spacia

Four years ago, Suzuki replaced the Palette with the Spacia kei minivan which competes with the likes of the Daihatsu Tanto and Honda N-BOX. With its rivals going on their current stages, the time is just right for the most fuel-efficient kei minivan in Japan to regenerate for its second-generation model, and months after it was previewed at the Tokyo Motor Show last autumn, the new Spacia from Suzuki promises to be better than the previous Spacia as well as its opposition.

2018 Suzuki Spacia

2018 Suzuki Spacia Custom

Yes, the Spacia is back for the second generation and for this new model, Suzuki promises to be the most fuel-efficient in its class not just because of its mild hybrid system but also because the platform promises to be more engaging than the previous model, something that makes its rivals quaking their boots.

2018 Suzuki Spacia

2018 Suzuki Spacia Custom

As always, the Spacia is available in two different styles to choose from. There was the normal Spacia that has the front lamp of the Ignis and the grille of some Suzuki minivan not sold in Japan that I can't mention what that is due to search query reasons, and then there's the stylish Spacia Custom that has the front of a Toyota Crown. See any resemblance? I think there is but still, they're here to satisfy different kinds of first-time buyers. With the normal Spacia starting at 1,274,400 Yen and the Spacia Custom starting at 1,517,400 Yen, you can possibly afford one more than today's Honda N-BOX, making it a fair value.

2018 Suzuki Spacia interior

2018 Suzuki Spacia Custom interior

The interior is all new and when you check through the dashboard, it looks exactly like every other new Suzukis ever witnessed like the Ignis and today's Wagon R but because this is a tall car for tall people, the generous dimensions make it possible for someone as tall as I am to live with. 1,410mm of interior height and 2,155mm of interior length, that's how generous the Spacia's interior space is and also, the rear seats can be folded to accommodate some added space for your things.

2018 Suzuki Spacia

2018 Suzuki Spacia Custom

Like today's Wagon R, the all-new Spacia is powered by Suzuki's Mild Hybrid technology featuring an Integrated Starter Generator linked to a lithium battery pack collaborating with its fuel-efficient 660cc engine. Thanks to this fuel-efficient measure as well as Suzuki's HEARTECT platform that makes it lighter and more rigid compared to the previous Spacia, fuel efficiency is around 30.0km/L in JC08 Mode standards while Custom variants can do 28.2km/L (with turbo variants exclusive to the Custom can do 25.6km/L). While this is the most fuel-efficient kei minivan in its class, it's surprisingly less efficient than the previous Spacia despite the mild hybrid technology so why are you wondering why buy a new Spacia that is less efficient than the old Spacia. That's a good question because Suzuki wanted to be honest about the Spacia's fuel efficiency so they wouldn't disappoint their customers.

Leaving the fuel efficiency fiasco aside, the new Spacia is the safest in its class and it was the first to introduce SUZUKI SAFETY SUPPORT, a suite of safety features such as Lane Departure Warning, Driver Detection, High Beam Assist, Road Sign Recognition, and advance car departure notice function. Apart from that, you can have the Spacia equipped with an omnidirectional monitoring camera that can detect both sides of the car and an around view monitor featuring for the first time on a kei car, a 3D view of your car that makes parking a lot convenient. Other safety features include the Emergency Stop Signal, Hill Hold Control, Dual Sensor Brake Support, False Start Suppression Control, backward erroneous start suppression function, and also first for a kei car, ultrasonic sensors in the rear bumper to detect obstacles behind the vehicle.

Sure, it may take some time before the new Suzuki Spacia will get noticed but when the time comes, although you may find the design a bit questionable by kei car standards, you will appreciate the efficiency (despite being less efficient than the previous model), the interior, and the safety this kei minivan delivers as well as the pricing. So, fancy having one? Err...Not quite yet but let's wait until someone rings a bell about the second-generation Suzuki Spacia.

Photo: Suzuki Motor Corporation

All New Suzuki Swift Sport ZC33S

Those who've been waited to see a brand new Swift Sport based on the recently-released fourth-generation Suzuki Swift have been heavily rewarded as the newest incarnation of Suzuki's world-class hot hatch has been unshackled to the world over, armed with the HEARTECT platform, improved handling, and the 1.4L downsizing turbo engine, which is the most intriguing change of all for this regeneration. Let's take a closer look on the all-new Swift Sport.

2018 Suzuki Swift Sport

2018 Suzuki Swift Sport

Carrying the tradition of the Swift Sport legacy for over a decade, the Swift Sport is a hotter version of the Swift that promises to ignite the senses of any driver who come across this hot hatch that is the ideal stepping stone for budding car enthusiasts on track days and for the new model, based on the fourth-generation model, it has radicalized the way we think about hot hatches.

The design maybe based on the latest Swift but the Swift Sport features sportier aerodynamics that became the trademark of the Swift Sport heritage since the first one and with the new look, you have the impression of a junior-sized Nissan GT-R that wants to rip through the curves like a swimmer by weekdays, pop star at weekends and holidays. Sounds exaggerating but I'd admire with the new look's confidence when it wants to let it all out. On the inside, the familiar interior of the latest generation Swift has been kitted out with red interior accents and driver-centered instrumental panel for that fresh sportscar smell that makes you change your clothes from your yuppie look to boy racer look when no one's looking at you, except your girlfriend's dad who has a shine on your car.

2018 Suzuki Swift Sport interior

2018 Suzuki Swift Sport interior

With the new design that is downright obviously sporty for a hot hatch, here comes the performance this new model radicalized at and for starters, the average M16A natural aspiration engine from the previous Swist Sports has been thrown away to the great junkyard in the sky and in place uses the new K14C BoosterJet turbocharged engine as seen on the Escudo, producing 140PS of power output, four more than the old one, and 230Nm of torque, which sounds massive.

No more CVT on the choice of gearboxes, thank goodness for that, because the new Swift Sport has a choice of either a 6-speed automatic or a more enjoyable but technical 6-speed manual gearbox with fuel consumption of up to 16.4kmpl based on JC08 Mode standards and it's not just the enjoyable choice of gearboxes and the revolting turbo engine that contributes to an improved fuel efficiency, it's the brand new HEARTECT platform that provides improved rigidity, performance and weight loss, which makes this new model less than 970kg of weight and more enjoyable to drive thanks to its improved sport-tuned suspension, Monroe front shock absorbers, and specially designed rear suspension. Of course, on a track day basis, the sporty handling of the Suzuki Sport is great but on a everyday Tokyo traffic, it feels like a war zone in here, especially when the new Suzuki Swift Sport comes with a wide array of safety tech such as advanced forward detection, Dual Sensor Brake Support, lane departure warning, and other key technologies.

The new Suzuki Swift Sport starts at 1,836,000 Japanese Yen, which is more expensive than the previous model it replaces but more affordable to own than today's Japanese sportscar, making it a great beginner's car to work with, tune with, and play with. On a day-to-day basis, the Swift Sport can be a crushing experience because of its sport-tuned dynamics but out in the open, the Swift Sport is as free-spirited as a pop star swimmer and while the turbocharged engine is a revolting radicalization to the new model, the sharp weight drop due to the HEARTECT platform and the dynamics will make this new model a must have for this year. Come on world, we're getting envy over it.

Available colors: Champion Yellow 4, Burning Red Pearl Metallic, Speedy Blue Metallic, Pure White Pearl, Premium Silver Metallic, and Super Black Pearl.

Photo: Suzuki Motor Corporation

Suzuki SX4 S-CROSS - 2018 minor change

Suzuki's SX4 S-CROSS, a fully-imported compact crossover from Europe, has gained a recent minor change, and needless to say even though the facelifted model looks upwardly different than the previous model, it feels pretty much the same as the SX4 we are familiar with, having been on Japanese roads for two years now.

2018 Suzuki SX4 S-CROSS

2018 Suzuki SX4 S-CROSS

So, what's new about the 2018MY Suzuki SX4 S-CROSS? On the outside, it now has a new front design that looks conspicuously similar to, let's just say a BMW X1 or so they say. If you manage to squint your eyes even a tiny bit, you know that it looks very similar to the X1 but that new front grille adds a very dramatic look to the S-CROSS's exterior design because it adds some feel to it that you get from a compact crossover ready for every man for himself. On the inside, there's a hint of piano black paneling on the dashboard for a bit more feel to it as well as some redesigned climate control switches. Either way, it's still as accommodating as the last one and still has decent boot space depending on the seating arrangements as well as its luggage board to store some more.

2018 Suzuki SX4 S-CROSS interior

2018 Suzuki SX4 S-CROSS interior

Of course, you still have the same 1.6L petrol engine as the last time mated to a 6-speed automatic gearbox. It delivers a reasonable 117PS of power output and 151Nm of torque, which is the same as last time, but in the case of fuel efficiency, you might want to look away now because the figures have been slightly decreased to around 15.2 (for 4WD models) and 16.2kmpl (for 2WD models). Well, that can't be right, but it's for honest reasons having found out that their old model cheated the fuel efficiency stakes, as well as a theory.

Joy of joys, the S-CROSS still has the revolutionary ALLGRIP system for the 4WD model, only this time it comes with the feed-forward function that allocates torque to the rear wheels before any slippage can occur. That sounds like an improvement by Suzuki standards and that feels like more than enough to believe for those who are too dynamic, too smart, and too exciting for Suzuki may need to reconsider before trying out the improved S-CROSS for a change.

So, how much is the new S-CROSS now? Suzuki's S-CROSS is now available for just 2,062,800 Yen for the front-wheel drive model up to 2,278,800 Yen for the four-wheel drive model. That sounds like a slight price bump but it remains a bargain for a compact crossover fully imported from Europe.

Available colors: Sphere Blue Pearl, Energetic Red Pearl, Cool White Pearl, and Cosmic Black Pearl Mica.

Photo: Suzuki Motor Corporation

Suzuki adds 1.4L turbo on Escudo

2018 Suzuki Escudo

The current-generation Suzuki Escudo, fully imported from Europe, has received a brand new 1.4L turbocharged petrol engine for the 2018 model year.

This new variant for Suzuki's Euro import crossover comes with the brand new 1.4L Booster Jet turbocharged engine producing 136PS of power (19PS more than the 1.6L variant) and 210Nm of torque. Mated to a six-speed automatic gearbox, fuel economy is expected at 16.8kmpl based on Japan's JC08 Mode standards.

To differentiate the turbocharged variant to the non-turbocharged Escudo, it's been given an X-TRAIL-inspired front face, red accents on the interior, and a brand new Bright Red 5 Black 2-tone roof exterior color.

Like the non-turbocharged Escudo, it still remains the ALLGRIP system as well as Radar Brake Support II system for this variant.

The Escudo 1.4L Turbo variant starts at 2,586,600 Japanese Yen.

URL: http://www.suzuki.co.jp/release/a/2017/0726/

Mazda New Flair (MJ55S)

2017 Mazda Flair

With the new Suzuki Wagon R launched a few months ago, Mazda is no stranger to them as they borrowed one for their brand new Flair kei car currently available at their nearest Mazda dealership across Japan.

As the story is similar to the latest Suzuki Wagon R, the base XG variant has a front face reminiscent of a Ford F-150 while the XS variant features a more Vellfire-esque front face. Sadly though, the Custom Style variant, which is based on the Wagon R Stingray, is out of the question, leaving only the base variants where the XS variant is the stylish variant of the new Flair range, which sounds very weird to us.

Like the new Wagon R, the new Flair features a Mild Hybrid technology setup, which comes with an Integrated Starter Generator linked to a li-ion battery pack collaborating with its fuel-efficient 660cc engine. Along with the new platform we're familiar with, fuel efficiency has gone up to 33.4kmpl.

For safety purposes, the new Flair comes with a dual camera brake support system, which detects the vehicle and pedestrians from about 5kph in the speed range of about 100kph, and to avoid collisions, the automatic braking feature triggers with the alarm and then it stops. It even comes with a lane departure warning function, and a stagger alarm function, among many others.

The new Flair starts at 1,177,200 Japanese Yen.

Photo: Mazda Motor Corporation

Sixth Generation Suzuki Wagon R

Suzuki's new model rush continues with the all-new, sixth-generation Suzuki Wagon R, a regeneration of the company's fastest-selling kei wagon in Japan. As a worthy contender to Daihatsu's Move, Mitsubishi's eK Wagon, and Honda's N-WGN, the Wagon R has been a clear winner in this category and with its new generation, how does the new model stack up with the competition like its predecessor in terms of fuel efficiency that can't be left unnoticed by the knowledgeable few? Let's investigate.

2017 Suzuki Wagon R

2017 Suzuki Wagon R

2017 Suzuki Wagon R Stingray

Before taking a close look at the heart of the new Wagon R, let's observe the new model's design and it has ambiguous designs that cater to specific customers, regardless of which one they'll be going for. In the normal version, the base FX variant has a front face reminiscent of a Ford F-150 while the FZ variant features a more Vellfire-esque front face. The Stingray, meanwhile, features headlamps reminiscent of the Cadillacs of today. All models feel like they can be easily mistaken for a Toyota because the side view will put anyone a close reminder of a Toyota Alphard while the rear view looks suspiciously reminiscent of the old Toyota bB millennials would remember. Whatever the heck it is, it's a multiple cases of mistaken identities for the new Wagon R.

2017 Suzuki Wagon R interior

2017 Suzuki Wagon R Stingray interior

While the exterior possesses different identity crises from the eyes of many, the new interior sees a much bigger improvement compared to the previous model, which is a bit regular if they're honest.  The instrumental panel's now on the center of the dashboard rather than behind the steering wheel while the steering wheel looks highly similar to the latest Suzuki Swift and the available touch-screen sat-nav system now boasts smartphone connectivity with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility, a first for a kei car. Apart from the improved dashboard, the new Wagon R boasts the roomiest interior for all kei cars sold in Japan, so it's nice and easy to live with it and stretch yourselves while you're at it. The only downside now is the boot space, which only fits just one suitcase with the rear seats present until you fold it down to accommodate more room for your garage sale stuff and some others.

2017 Suzuki Wagon R

2017 Suzuki Wagon R Stingray

In their endless pursuit of producing fuel-efficient cars in Japan, the all-new Wagon R is powered by Suzuki's Mild Hybrid technology as seen in the Solio and the Ignis. A first for a kei car, this mild hybrid setup features an Integrated Starter Generator linked to a li-ion battery pack collaborating with its fuel-efficient 660cc engine. With the Mild Hybrid and its HEARTECT platform, which promises improved rigidity, performance, and weight loss. just like the new Swift offered, fuel efficiency has gone up to 33.4kmpl, that's a kmpl more than the previous model with the S-ENE-CHARGE on it, meaning that Suzuki has improved its fuel-efficiency ways courtesy of its Mild Hybrid powertrain and HEARTECT platform and it could soon be applied on future kei cars and models. That, ladies and gentlemen, is their trump card played right.

Don't forget that the Stingray-exclusive turbocharged 660cc inherits the same Mild Hybrid stuff from the normal ones except it delivers just around 28.4kmpl. Small price to pay for a stylish city car with a small turbocharged engine and compact sizing fit to squeeze through the gaps your average sportscar can't.

The Radar Brake Support system returns on this new model and this safety tech comes with a dual camera brake support system, which detects the vehicle and pedestrians from about 5kph in the speed range of about 100kph and to avoid collisions, the automatic braking feature triggers with the alarm and then it stops. It even comes with a lane departure warning function, and a stagger alarm function, among many others.

Should you buy one? The new Wagon R starts at 1,078,920 Yen for the basic FX model while the Stingray model starts at 1,293,840 Yen, making them more affordable than the previous models and also, good value for money. While the new Wagon R may be questionable on the outside, its fuel efficiency and tech should not be underestimated and it's going to be a new gold standard for Suzuki's future lineup of fuel-efficient cars thanks to its Mild Hybrid and HEARTECT platform that works very well from the new Swift as well as the new Wagon R. As Suzuki keeps on releasing new models more than any car company in Japan, let's see what's next in store for that Japanese car company with its newly found success with this new winning combination of fuel efficiency in the market today.

Photo: Suzuki Motor Corporation

Suzuki Spacia Custom Z

2017 Suzuki Spacia Custom Z

Let's introduce to the new Suzuki Spacia Custom Z, the latest addition to the Spacia lineup that features a different kind of front face that is even more unique than the regular Spacia Custom model and no matter which customers will be targeted by it, the Spacia Custom Z offers the same features from most of the Spacia range.

While the exterior looks as highly questionable as a youth wearing three noserings on his right side, the interior still retains its class-leading dimensions that fits just about anyone or anything. Apart from that, the Spacial Custom Z still comes with the revolutionary S-ENE-CHARGE system that assists the 660cc R06A engine's acceleration with a motor by adopting the Integrated Starter Generator and a Li-ion battery that specifically made for this system. With that, fuel economy is expected to be around 30.6km/L. 26.8 if you opt for the turbocharged variant, of course.

The Spacia Custom Z also comes with a dual camera brake support system, which detects the vehicle and pedestrians from about 5kph in the speed range of about 100kph and to avoid collisions, the automatic braking feature triggers with the alarm and then it stops. Other features in this new system include a lane departure warning function, and a stagger alarm function, among many others.

The Spacia Custom Z starts at 1,490,400 Japanese Yen, which is somewhat slightly more costly than a normal Spacia Custom, but it still undercuts against rivals like the Daihatsu Tanto Custom or the Mitsubishi eK Space Custom. With this new model, you now have different kinds of Spacia to choose from,

Photo: Suzuki Motor Corporation

Fourth-generation Suzuki Swift

2017 Suzuki Swift

Well, this is unexpected for Suzuki to unveil a new car just before the year ends, but still, the Japanese small car company has unveiled the brand new Suzuki Swift to deliver a swift response to the motoring public that demands a compact car with the good balance of efficiency and performance at the same time. So, how can this new model shows that it's here today and ready for tomorrow's world?

2017 Suzuki Swift

First and foremost, let's take a look on the exterior design and well, what do you think? The new looks is like the best of both worlds! You have a front grille that looks like it came from the Hyundai Veloster, the front lamps look vaguely similar to the Jaguar F-Type, the side view looks like it came from the Peugeot 3008, and the back view looks like it came from its Indian-born relative, the Baleno. How simple was that? It's like a melting pot of diversity and culture all wrapped up into one freshly-made sukiyaki.

2017 Suzuki Swift interior

2017 Suzuki Swift interior

The new interior is a clear reminder why it's starting to take shape for a world-class hatchback and while this is basically more roomier than the old model, it's got lots of features you can toy around such as this nifty sat-nav which comes with Apple Carplay and (yes, really) Android Auto. When I said Android Auto, they really mean it because this is the second time a Japanese carmaker had a car with Android Auto compatibility since the Nissan Serena a while back. Anyway, don't get all hasty because while the new interior is now roomy enough to make amends at the back, its still as regular as...hmmm...a cup of coffee you had in the morning.

2017 Suzuki Swift

Now, let's move on to the really interesting bits about the new car and for the new Swift, this world-class hatchback is the first to use the brand new HEARTECT platform, which promises improved rigidity, performance and weight loss. Speaking of weight loss, the new model now weighs less than a Ford Focus or a Lotus Elise. Which means, with a car that weighs less than a ton, the handling is now more enjoyable than ever and you can really drive it over and over again as long as you don't ring a bell on anyone about what happened to this one. 

Under the hood, the new Swift offers a choice of a 1.0L Boosterjet three-cylinder engine and a 1.2L Dualjet engine. On the one with the Dualjet engine on it, it can be powered with Suzuki's Mild Hybrid technology featuring an Integrated Starter Generator linked to a li-ion battery pack. With the same kind of stuff as seen from the Ignis, fuel efficiency is about 27.4kmpl based on Japan's JC08 mode standards.

Don't forget; the one with the Boosterjet engine is mated exclusively with a 6-speed automatic, which sounds like a killjoy to the drivers, while non-hybrid models can be fitted with either a 5-speed manual or a CVT, and hybrid ones are mated exclusively with CVT. The more you know.

For the first time on the new Swift, a wide range of driver assists are offered ranging from brake assist, autonomous emergency braking, lane departure warning, and adaptive cruise controls. Sounds high-tech but don't get too obvious about these thingamajigs here.

The all-new Suzuki Swift starts from 1,343,520 up to 1,941,840 Yen and sales will start on the 4th of January. So, there you are. With all the major improvements made to ensure that this car is here today, ready for tomorrow's world, the all-new Suzuki Swift will become a strong seller for the leader of small cars in Japan, as long as someone from a Southern Asian country never get too nosy about this one because there could be some dire consequences on nosing around the new model.

Available colors: Burning Red Pearl Metallic, Speedy Blue Metallic, Pure White Pearl, Super Black Pearl, and Premium Silver Metallic.

Photo: Suzuki Motor Corporation\