Armed with a well-established reputation for honest, affordable motoring, Suzuki South Africa is enjoying a purple patch when it comes to monthly sales. And while South African consumers grapple with the increasing cost of living, the Japanese brand's broad portfolio of value-focused, impressively efficient vehicles has come to the fore.
While vehicles like the irrepressible Jimny 4x4 and cheerful Swift hatchback remain popular, Suzuki also offers quirky city cars like the Celerio and S-Presso. Catering for young families, the Ertiga MPV offers good value for money, impressively low average fuel consumption and (importantly in this segment) a versatile interior that can accommodate up to six passengers in relative comfort and safety.
These traits have also made the Suzuki Ertiga a popular choice for fleet and e-hailing vehicles.
Introduced in South Africa in 2012, the first-generation Ertiga was touted by its manufacturer as a "Life Utility Vehicle", a model with impressive levels of versatility while still trying to provide a sense of go-anywhere adventure. The second-gen model launched in 2019 offered a more convincing take on the traditional MPV theme.
Longer and wider than the model it replaced, the current Indian-built Ertiga package is designed to offer owners the flexibility to transport up to six passengers, with the option to stow the two third-row seats individually for increased packing space. Suzuki claims the Ertiga has 153 litres of luggage space behind a full complement of seating, or up to 803 litres with all the rear seats stowed.
The second row of seats in the modern Ertiga package can be reclined and slid fore or aft as required.
The Ertiga is sold in either entry-level GA or GL trim via a relatively comprehensive network of dealerships across South Africa. Standard throughout is cloth trim, electric windows and air-conditioning, with vents for all three rows of seating.
A move to GL specification adds a touchscreen infotainment display with Bluetooth- and smartphone-pairing functionality, a multifunction steering wheel, rear parking sensors, cruise control and 15-inch alloy wheels where the GA is fitted with steel items.
Height adjustment for the driver's seat in the GL spec is a boon when it comes to finding a comfortable driving position.
The Suzuki Ertiga is sold with a naturally aspirated (non-turbo) 1.5-litre petrol motor. This lively powertrain is fitted with a five-speed manual gearbox in GA specification, or with the choice between this manual 'box' or a four-speed automatic option in GL trim.
This model competes in the South African market against the Honda BR-V, Renault Triber and Toyota Rumion. The latter is based on the Ertiga package via a global technology sharing relationship between Suzuki and Toyota.
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Suzuki Ertiga GA manual |
from R254 900 |
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Suzuki Ertiga GL manual |
from R295 900 |
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Suzuki Ertiga GL auto |
from R312 900 |
The Ertiga is sold with the brand's five-year/200 000-kilometre warranty, including roadside assistance. A four-year/60 000 km service plan is included in the asking price. A roadside assist package includes a locksmith option and a stand-by-you armed roadside security service.
Customers are offered the option to extend a warranty, locate accredited workshops or even engage with the adventures of fellow Suzuki owners via www.suzuki.co.za/owners.
The Ertiga is sold with driver and front passenger airbags and ABS-assisted brakes. As of 2019, this vehicle scored a three-star rating (out of a possible five) in the Global NCAP crash test.
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Source: Suzuki South Africa
Pricing accurate on date of publication
This article is for informational purposes only and should not be construed as financial, legal or medical advice.
