A Selection Of The Best Dashboard Cameras Available: January 2019

You’ve got to hand it to Suzuki. Just months after the launch of the surprisingly good Baleno supermini comes another intriguing newcomer in the compact and unique shape of the Ignis. In one fell swoop, Suzuki has carved a new niche with the cute little Ignis - a mini crossover with arguably no direct competitors. With bold and original styling, a punchy, economical engine, plus safety tech and four-wheel drive available, the Ignis is a pint-sized marvel. Not to be confused with the largely forgettable hatchback of the same name last sold in 2008, the all-new Ignis is priced from just £9,999. Instantly recognisable from all angles, it’s looks particularly cheeky from the front. However, it’s those chunky C pillars and its trapezoid, upright rear that will divide opinion. Whether its looks work for you or not, the Ignis stands out in so many other ways. There are three trim levels - SZ3, SZ-T and SZ5.

Standard features across the range include DAB radio, Bluetooth, air-conditioning, body-coloured wing mirrors and six airbags. However, it’s worth looking over each grade in depth because some features such as the 7-inch touchscreen, cruise control and rear parking camera are not available on the base model, meaning that the mid-range SZ-T offers the best value. At launch, the Ignis is available with a 1.2-litre Dualjet petrol engine, plus a slightly more powerful SHvS “mild” hybrid version of the same unit. In a nutshell, SHvS (Smart Hybrid Vehicle by Suzuki) is a compact and lightweight system that acts as both a generator and starter motor, assisting the engine during vehicle take off and acceleration and also generating electricity through regenerative braking. In other words, it has a bit more oomph. Go for the range-topping hybrid engine in the SZ5 and the 0-62mph comes down to 11.4 seconds, as do CO2 emissions to 97g/km, meaning that it’s road tax free too. Inside, the Ignis is surprisingly spacious for such a small car. At 3.7 metres long and 1.7m wide, it’s closer to a Fiat 500 than a Nissan Juke, for instance.

The front seats are comfortable, the seating position is fairly high and there’s plenty of headroom for taller people thanks to the lofty roof. Obviously it’s cosier in the back, but it’s adequate for two adults which is more than you can say for most cars of this size. However, the car’s high waist, privacy glass and C pillar styling blot out some of the light in the back. The SZ3 model has a fixed rear seat and a luggage area of 267 litres behind, but here’s the clever bit. The SZ-T and SZ5 models have a split rear seat and each one can slide 165mm to provide either greater luggage capacity or more rear passenger leg room. There are no soft-touch premium plastics in this no-nonsense cabin, but what do you expect from a sub £10,000 car? Opt for the flagship SZ5 model and you get Dual Camera Brake Support, which can detect objects (including pedestrians) in the car’s path, alert the driver and apply the brakes if necessary.

This system enabled the SZ5 to be awarded a maximum five stars in Euro NCAP tests. The Ignis is easy to drive with light steering and a tight turning circle, making it perfect for urban driving - its natural habit. Push it at higher speeds on more challenging roads and it’s a little more unsettled and there’s some body roll. That said, it will cruise quite happily on a motorway. The engine is reasonably refined, but gets harsher when pushed. The mild hybrid version provides a slight power boost, meaning that the gears don’t have to be worked quite so hard. Driven gently, the ride is fine, but it will bounce along at higher speeds or on uneven roads. Complementing its cute styling, there’s also plenty of scope for personalisation with 11 colours choices available (two-tone Flame Orange Pear Metallic for me), plus interior trim options. The clincher for some, especially if you live somewhere with more extreme weather conditions, might be the ALLGRIP ‘AUTO’ four-wheel drive option. It’s not a Land Rover, but it will offer a little more grip in slippery conditions or on rougher terrain. There’s even Hill Descent Control.