The growing market for 7-seat multi-purpose vehicles has gained a player that breaks the R300 000 ceiling in the form of the Suzuki Ertiga GLX.
Available with the choice of a manual (R267 900) or automatic (R282 900) gearbox, the Ertiga offers a range of luxuries not common to the sub-R300 000 MPV market.
The Ertiga GLX has all of the luxuries currently available on the GL model and gains a host of styling and luxury features including chrome on the door handles and rear garnishes, with the latter discreetly hiding a new reverse camera, 15-inch alloy wheels, front and rear mud flaps and front fog lamps.
At the rear, Suzuki has added a curved LED light strip to the LED combination lamps.
In the cabin, there is wood-grain trim along with a height-adjustable driver’s seat and new centre console box that doubles as a central armrest for the driver and front passenger.
Like its sibling GLX-models, the Ertiga GLX has remote central locking for a combination of keyless access and a Start/Stop button. It also replaces the standard air-conditioning system with automatic climate control, which includes an ambient temperature sensor to ensure that the pre-set interior temperature is maintained.
The Ertiga central stack, which in other models houses the radio, USB and Bluetooth set-up, is replaced with the company’s 7-inch touch-screen infotainment system.
This system allows the driver to control all infotainment functions via the touch-sensitive screen or via voice commands, and it integrates seamlessly with the latest version of Apple’s CarPlay and Google’s Android Auto.
Suzuki has added a second 4,2-inch colour multi-info display in the instrument cluster. This screen displays driving information such as instantaneous and average fuel consumption, driving range, power and torque delivery, and fuel consumption and speed for the current driving cycle.
Safety includes of anti-lock brakes with electronic brake force distribution, two front crash bags and Suzuki’s ultra-rigid TECT platform, which includes energy dispersion channels, crumple zones and additional impact bars in all doors.
The GLX model will share its siblings’ new K15B engine, which is also used on the new Suzuki Jimny. This 1,5 litre 16-valve four-cylinder petrol engine has a maximum output of 77 kW at 6 000 r/min and 138 Nm at 4 400 r/min.
Both the auto and manual models use 6,2 l/100 km in a combined cycle and it comes with an extended 4-year / 60 000 km service plan and will include Suzuki’s promotional 5-year / 200 000 km mechanical warranty.
