I recently spent an entire day driving around in a Renault Kangoo van. Now what I found surprising about the van was how civilized it was. It didn't possess any of the jostling you usually get with a commercial vehicle. Nor did it possess a nauseating ride. The drive too was quite enjoyable. The Kangoo gave good feedback in the twisties despite its humble role. It has to be one of the most enjoyable drives I've ever had in a commercial vehicle. And I have had quite a varied experience in commercial vehicles. Gathered over the years from both work and mischief.
After some research, I realised the reason for the Kangoo's good nature. The van was actually developed from the Renault Scenic MPV platform. Thus it inherited quite a number of positive characteristics from the transplant. Unfortunately when this practice is reversed, it usually doesn't go as well. The Suzuki APV finds its roots in the Suzuki Every van. This doesn't bode well for the MPV wannabe. The transformation from van to MPV also transfers the less desirable characteristics of a van to the MPV.
Exterior
The first thing that captures your attention about the APV is its height. The Suzuki APV is really tall. It towers over most other vehicles like how a van usually does. Unfortunately the height also equates to a high centre of gravity which owners will have to keep in mind when taking corners.
After some research, I realised the reason for the Kangoo's good nature. The van was actually developed from the Renault Scenic MPV platform. Thus it inherited quite a number of positive characteristics from the transplant. Unfortunately when this practice is reversed, it usually doesn't go as well. The Suzuki APV finds its roots in the Suzuki Every van. This doesn't bode well for the MPV wannabe. The transformation from van to MPV also transfers the less desirable characteristics of a van to the MPV.
Exterior
The first thing that captures your attention about the APV is its height. The Suzuki APV is really tall. It towers over most other vehicles like how a van usually does. Unfortunately the height also equates to a high centre of gravity which owners will have to keep in mind when taking corners.
 |
The developers of the APV did very little to hide the origins of this MPV. As it shares the exact same looks as the Every van. The front fascia does a poor job of minimising the APV's bread-like profile with its stubby nose. Furthermore the height of the APV doesn't help its cause either. A pair of large halogen headlamps adorns each end of the front fascia while complimented with discrete fog lights on the lower bumper.
The side profile is panel van-like. Access to the interior is through two pairs of doors in a car-like design. Access to the third row of seats can be difficult and a sliding door would've made better sense here. In the rear, the tailgate swings upwards to provide a large aperture for loading cargo.
 |
Interior
The APV is similar to an SUV in the way you climb aboard. Yes, like scaling a ladder to get into a jet's cockpit. The APV's high driving position won't be a problem for the vertically gifted. Mums on school runs might get annoyed with the constant climb up and down the steps. Kids too might have problems getting in and out of the APV without adult assistance.
Once in, the high driving position offered might be appreciated by some but personally I prefer my driving position much lower down. The seats in the APV are reasonably comfortable for both driver and front passenger. The driver should feel well supported for long trips though other aspects of the APV might cause driver fatigue on long trips. Steering is comfortable though the quality of the wheel itself does feel quite tacky. The APV's dashboard is quite spartan as well with only the simple factory radio supported with barely audible speakers to liven it up.
In the rear, the second and third row of seats will surprisingly accommodate taller passengers quite comfortably. Annoyingly, though the third row of seats fold out of the way for cargo, the second row of seats do not. This would limit maximum cargo capacity to the third row only. At full seating capacity, the cargo space in the rear can get cramped. Despite the eccentricity of the seats, there is a rear aircon duct to provide cool reprieve for your rear passengers on those long trips.
The APV is similar to an SUV in the way you climb aboard. Yes, like scaling a ladder to get into a jet's cockpit. The APV's high driving position won't be a problem for the vertically gifted. Mums on school runs might get annoyed with the constant climb up and down the steps. Kids too might have problems getting in and out of the APV without adult assistance.
Once in, the high driving position offered might be appreciated by some but personally I prefer my driving position much lower down. The seats in the APV are reasonably comfortable for both driver and front passenger. The driver should feel well supported for long trips though other aspects of the APV might cause driver fatigue on long trips. Steering is comfortable though the quality of the wheel itself does feel quite tacky. The APV's dashboard is quite spartan as well with only the simple factory radio supported with barely audible speakers to liven it up.
In the rear, the second and third row of seats will surprisingly accommodate taller passengers quite comfortably. Annoyingly, though the third row of seats fold out of the way for cargo, the second row of seats do not. This would limit maximum cargo capacity to the third row only. At full seating capacity, the cargo space in the rear can get cramped. Despite the eccentricity of the seats, there is a rear aircon duct to provide cool reprieve for your rear passengers on those long trips.
On a whole, the interior build quality is better than the Malaysian offerings but would still be immediately familiar to those who've driven the Suzuki Every van. Not only do the interior colours match, I would bet that they were from the same moldings as well. Even so, the versatility and comfort offered by the APV's interior still leaves it more positives than negatives.
The Drive
Like the Proton Exora, the APV is powered by a 1.6-litre engine. Once you're on the move, the APV makes it painfully obvious that the conservative capacity of the engine is inadequate for the task. Even at nominal cruising speed of 60kmh, the cabin noise was quite unbearable. This would make long trips in the APV uncomfortable for both driver and passengers.
The noise level aside, another proof of its inadequacy was the difficulty it had in getting up to speed even with only one driver. This makes it doubtful that the APV would be able to perform with a full load of passengers and cargo.
As I mentioned previously, the transformation from van to MPV brings about some unwanted characteristics. The APV unfortunately rides like a van with the vehicle constantly upset by road undulations. Going over bumps, the disturbance is reverberated through the cabin and directly to the occupants. In its previous life as a van, this would be little consequence. But with the new role as a people carrier, this would cause a significant amount of discomfort for passengers on long journeys. The jostling is further exacerbated by the APV's height.
The Drive
Like the Proton Exora, the APV is powered by a 1.6-litre engine. Once you're on the move, the APV makes it painfully obvious that the conservative capacity of the engine is inadequate for the task. Even at nominal cruising speed of 60kmh, the cabin noise was quite unbearable. This would make long trips in the APV uncomfortable for both driver and passengers.
The noise level aside, another proof of its inadequacy was the difficulty it had in getting up to speed even with only one driver. This makes it doubtful that the APV would be able to perform with a full load of passengers and cargo.
As I mentioned previously, the transformation from van to MPV brings about some unwanted characteristics. The APV unfortunately rides like a van with the vehicle constantly upset by road undulations. Going over bumps, the disturbance is reverberated through the cabin and directly to the occupants. In its previous life as a van, this would be little consequence. But with the new role as a people carrier, this would cause a significant amount of discomfort for passengers on long journeys. The jostling is further exacerbated by the APV's height.
 |
Conclusion
Though the APV's ancestry doesn't gel well with most consumers, you can't deny its affordability and versatility at this price. The build quality might not be what we're used to seeing from a Japanese manufacturer but it is still a cut above the Chinese and Malaysian offerings. At least there isn't distinctive sink marks peeking out of the plastic moldings.
As an affordable run about for a large family, the APV would do a brilliant job for short hops around the island with the kids and grand folks. Thus the APV is still worth considering.
Though the APV's ancestry doesn't gel well with most consumers, you can't deny its affordability and versatility at this price. The build quality might not be what we're used to seeing from a Japanese manufacturer but it is still a cut above the Chinese and Malaysian offerings. At least there isn't distinctive sink marks peeking out of the plastic moldings.
As an affordable run about for a large family, the APV would do a brilliant job for short hops around the island with the kids and grand folks. Thus the APV is still worth considering.
What do you think? Jot down your opinions at the comment box below.
