Test Drive Suzuki Aerio (Liana) Sedan 2001 - 2007 Sedan
Multician "Liana"
Suzuki cars are not so well known in our country as other Japanese cars, such as Toyota or Nissan. Apparently, this is due to the fact that for a long time Suzuki specialized in the production of motorcycles, compact cars and SUVs, in Russia, buyers preferred more high-end models.Suzuki and now occupies a leading position in the production of mini-cars. In 2003, plants belonging to this brand released 1.455 million passenger cars. Since the end of the 1990s, the corporation actively masters new market sectors: the release of full-sized SUVs and cars corresponding to the European size class C.
One of the latest developments of Suzuki is the Liana model, the debut of which took place in 2001. For the European buyer, it is largely unusual. The first in the market appeared the version of the hatchback, which has a useful volume of the body, like mini WaN. Several later, the release of a sedan, who has only the overall front of the body has begun for the hatchback. Both versions are created on the basis of the platform well-proven supervisor Suzuki Baleno. Engines and gearboxes model also inherited from the previous model.
When developing Liana, designers tried to change the established image of Suzuki machines of simple inexpensive vehicles. As a result, it looks pretty avant-garde for a family car. By the way, the word liano itself in this case means life in a new age life in a new era. The calculation of the stylists was justified: Liana and today does not look outdated. But the original instrument panel with digital indicators did not take root, giving up soon the place more familiar torpedo with the arrow pointers.
SUZUKI LIANA is installed with sixteen-flaped dual-hole M13a motors (1.3 l, 90 l. P.) And M16a (1.6 liters, 106 liters.). The buyer can choose a car with a five-speed manual gearbox or a four-digit machine. In addition, there is an all-wheel drive version with a 1.6 liter engine. For the Japanese market, SUZUKI AERIO sports modifications are produced so called all Liana in their homeland (2.3 l, 157 l.). But they are not supplied to Europe. In Russia, the choice is even fewer only options with a motor volume of 1.6 liters.
The test was provided with a sedan with manual transmission and all-wheel drive transmission and front-wheel drive Hatch-back, equipped with automatic transmission. The second car is actually not as simple as it may seem at first glance. Due to the high body Liana, several resembles a spacious wagon or mini-Ven.
In the car, despite its modest dimensions, spaciously both in the front and in the rear seats due to the vertical landing. Four passengers are freely accommodated in Liana, the fifth will interfere with a wide central tunnel. The trunk is small, but its volume will be able to significantly increase, folding completely or partially the back seat.
According to the possibilities of transformation of Liana salon, he is inferior to many of their classmates. The rear seat does not have longitudinal adjustment, there is no large number of additional pockets and tanks, relevant in the car of this class. The glove box, pockets in the front doors and behind the front seats, the boxes under the passenger seat, the glacial next to the driver's seat is, perhaps, that's all.
In general, the salon, in the manufacture of which high-quality materials are used, produces a favorable impression. Ergonomics of a driver's seat meets the highest requirements. The instruments are well ready, the controls are located in their places, as a result we are mastered in the car very quickly. High landing is very convenient in urban conditions. Huge outer mirrors should be recognized by reference for machines with such a body type.
Now test the car on the go. Despite the sufficiently modest technical parameters of the engine with a volume of 1.6 liters (106 liters. S., Maximum torque is 144 nm at 4000 rpm.), Liana rides very well. It accelerates dynamically, the motor has a good traction in a large range of revolutions, the automatic transmission is very convenient in the conditions of a large city, switching occurs smoothly, lags at the same time.
The car is managed very reliable. Some harsh suspension, but this is already a family feature of Suzuki cars. With full load, the smoothness of the stroke becomes noticeably better. Now transplant to the sedan. From the hatchback, the car inherited a high roof line, as a result, the salon turned out to be very spacious for the car of this class. The volume of the trunk at the four-door version is much greater than that of the hatchback, but the back seat is completely impossible to make up only the back.
In terms of dynamics and manageability, the all-wheel drive version is almost no different from the front-wheel drive. The fact is that in standard modes, the rear wheels are connected using a multi-disc clutch only in the event of a slip. Such a solution allows you to significantly increase the resource of the chassis. Liana 4x4 is just 60 kg heavier than the front-wheel drive, therefore fuel consumption increases slightly.
Regardless of the type of body and the type of transmission Suzuki Liana, it is very well equipped for a Class C car. Basic equipment includes an adjustable steering column, four airbags, ABS and EBD, air conditioning, power windows, electric mirrors, heated front seats, adjustable height driving Chair, central locking with remote control, immobilizer, power steering. All-wheel drive versions are additionally equipped with heated mirrors.
There are eight basic modifications of Suzuki Liana to Russia. Prices are as follows: front-wheel drive sedan with MCPP 16.09 thousand dollars, with automatic transmission 17.37 thousand; Sedan 4x4 with MCPP 18.18 thousand dollars, with automatic transmission 19.46 thousand; front-wheel drive Hatch-back with manual transmission 16.57 thousand dollars, with automatic transmission 17,85 thousand dollars; Hatchback 4x4 with MCPP 18.66 thousand dollars, with automatic transmission 19,94 thousand dollars
Considering that the difference in price between 4x4 versions and front-wheel drive modifications is small, for Russian operating conditions, when winter lasts almost half a year, preferably Liana with the drive to all wheels. As practice shows, such a car on slippery roads to manage much better. It is no coincidence that almost all models produced for the Japanese market are equal. They are in great demand in the northern regions of the country. Liana with Hatchback body is practical than sedan, and even externally it looks more modern.
Despite the fact that Suzuki has many factories in several countries of the world, all cars of the Liana family are collected only in Japan, therefore the quality is appropriate. The chassis of the machine inherited from the previous Baleno model is highly reliable. Not badly proven the engine with a volume of 1.6 liters. The same motors are installed on SUZUKI VITARA SUV, designed for much lagged loads.
Currently competition in the passenger car sector of the Class C is very ocre. New models appear annually, as a result, even the most advanced options at the moment of launching options are quickly obedized. Liana cars have been produced almost four years. Do they have chances in the fight with classmates?
It turns out a lot. Liana has a very good value for quality price. For such money, the car of the Japanese assembly in Russia is not found. There are, of course, cars that have come down from the conveyor in Europe, but, as a rule, the quality of their components is worse. All-wheel drive models of this class, so relevant to Russian operating conditions, in this price group in the domestic market there are no at all.
As a result, it turns out that Suzuki Liana, although the leaders in class C are already inferior at a number of indicators, but has undeniable advantages that allow it to compete successfully with more modern models.
The editors thanks the auto center sim for the cars provided.
