Suzuki APV

Overview

Suzuki has been selling cars for nearly a century now. The Japanese carmaker is a master when it comes to affordable as well as reliable cars worldwide. So much so that other car makers want to partner with them and learn how it is done. The classic case is that of Toyota who shook hands with Suzuki over cross badging of products in the Asian region. They have also collaborated for electric vehicles. You, however, will be astonished to know that Suzuki in the Philippines is known for two products only. One is the Suzuki APV van while the second is for the Swift hatchback. The former interests us. It has been around for more than 15 years without as much as a generation change. Clearly “what ain’t broken needn’t be replaced”.

There are six colors of the 2018 Suzuki APV to choose from. These include Superior White, Prime Cool Black, Silky Silver Metallic, Pearl Radiant Red, Graphite Grey Pearl Metallic, and Pearl Burgundy Red. Here is a review of a vehicle that has been used by nearly two million Filipinos at one or other other time.

Interior & Features

There is space, space, and more space. The Suzuki APV can be ordered with a seven or eight seater configuration. If you choose the former, then the middle row get a captain seat arrangement or bench in the latter. The dashboard seems old but has got a bit of cubby holes around. The beige upholstery helps amplify the space to a great extent. You will find a 7-inch touchscreen system that is navigation ready at your beck and disposal. The instrument cluster is a simple affair with a speedo and rev counter pods. Suzuki has given wide ORVMs to the APV and these are controlled by knobs inside the cabin. A single zone air conditioning unit too is provided. There are no vents at the back though. Given the generous glass area, we can only imagine the load on the AC unit.

Speaking of generous, passengers will have nothing to complain about.  Except for the last row ones who may have good legroom but not so good under-thigh support.  The wheelbase of 2,625 mm is a competition even to entry-level sedans and SUVs. Build quality looks decent too. If you don’t believe us, ask the taxis running around. Boot space at 194 litres with all the seats up too is good. Of course, the space increases if you tumble the third row.

Exterior

The 2018 Suzuki APV was designed in the early 90s. Yes, you read it right. At that time, the primary brief (if there was one)  to the designers was to maximise space. Leave the design elements to Ferrari or Lamborghini. That's why you see those upright lines and a boxy shape. Over the years, there are slight changes to make the Suzuki APV look a tad curvy. The two-box design claims to maximise space in the cabin while minimising the footprint. For those of you who came in late, the Suzuki APV measures 4,155 mm in length, 1,655 mm in width, and 1,865 mm in height.

The chromed grille, as well as those big headlights, are heritage packages. The smallish radiator as well as fog lights too are part of the legacy. Look at it from the side and you will notice that there are no overhangs to speak of. All around though, the glass area seems big enough. At the back, there is a small chrome applique. Suzuki uses 14-inch wheels for the base version while the top version gets 15-inch alloys.

Ride & Handling

Suzuki uses MacPherson struts in the front and a rigid axle with leaf spring/3-link rigid axle with coil spring at the back in the APV. This set up makes it a bit bouncy on uneven roads. That is until the vehicle is loaded up. Remember, the APV is a multi-purpose vehicle. The steering is a light unit and makes travelling around crowded streets a breeze. The turning radius of 4.9 meters too is a boon. If you look at the 180 mm ground clearance, it is enough to tackle the rough as well.

Sliding second-row door was quite an innovation back then. It helped in ensuring that parking space restrictions needn’t bother the driver.

Engine & Fuel Consumption

Suzuki used to offer a four-speed automatic with the APV. However, the slightly higher cost, as well as less user interest, forced the company to discontinue it. What however continues from yesteryears is the 1.6-litre naturally aspirated MPI petrol engine. This engine makes 93 PS of power and 129 Nm of torque. It is mated to a smooth shifting floor mounted 5-speed gearbox. Suzuki doesn’t claim any mileage numbers but from our experience, expect around 8 kmpl in the city and 13 kmpl on the highway. The car weighs around 1.3 tonnes and that’s quite a number for 93 PS to lug around.

The torque curve at lower gears is quite flat and hence aids in second gear starts. The Suzuki APV can trundle around in second gear in notorious Manila bumper-bumper traffic. The engine becomes a bit noisy as the speeds rise though. The engine is placed right under the driver’s seat. So, seat height adjustment is a luxury which the driver cannot afford. Moreover, it tends to get a bit hot if sustained driving is something that the driver wants to do.

Braking & Safety

Suzuki has few safety features as standard in the APV. The Suzuki APV boasts rear parking sensors, a defogger and three-point ELR seat belts as standard. In the top spec new Suzuki APV, one will also get dual airbags, height adjustable front seat belts, remote controlled door locks and side impact beams. ABS is not available even as an option. The Australian NCAP tested the Suzuki APV and found gave it a three-star rating. We believe Suzuki could have at least given dual airbags as well as ABS as standard in the APV.

Verdict

If you’re in the market for an affordable MPV, there is nothing that can match the reliability as well as the efficiency of the Suzuki APV. The APV stands for all-purpose vehicle and one can use it to transport the relatives or even small goods around. There are Suzuki APV variants available right now - GA and GLX. If you look at the Suzuki APV price, then it is a bit varied. While the GA is priced at Php 588,000, the GLX comes at a premium of Php 808,000. The Utility van is priced at Php 660,000. We don’t believe Suzuki will be updating the APV anytime soon. However, given that the new crash and safety norms are closing in, they might have to discontinue the vehicle altogether. Perhaps a newer safer model might take the charm of the APV forward.