Boutique, hipster coffees are all the rage these days, with coffee houses popping up all over the city. And coffee can take a ton of forms - flat black, cappuccino, caffe Americano, latte, cafe cubano, macchiato, etc.
Even at your nearest Starbucks, you get an ever-changing assortment of coffee, ranging from a simple Three Region Blend to a complicated mocha peppermint pumpkin latte ice blend.
Personally, I'm not big on these 'Finest Arabica Bean' specialty coffees. Call me uncultured and basic, but I much prefer my simple and straightforward kopi peng. It's not fancy and it may not be particularly complex flavour-wise, but it is mightily dependable and gets the job done, allowing me to start each morning properly. And I quite like how it tastes, to be honest.
And in many ways, the all new Suzuki Ciaz is like a cup of kopi peng. It most definitely isn't fancy or exotic, but it exemplifies simplicity and functionality, and is an ever-reliable daily car that won't disappoint you.
Even at your nearest Starbucks, you get an ever-changing assortment of coffee, ranging from a simple Three Region Blend to a complicated mocha peppermint pumpkin latte ice blend.
Personally, I'm not big on these 'Finest Arabica Bean' specialty coffees. Call me uncultured and basic, but I much prefer my simple and straightforward kopi peng. It's not fancy and it may not be particularly complex flavour-wise, but it is mightily dependable and gets the job done, allowing me to start each morning properly. And I quite like how it tastes, to be honest.
And in many ways, the all new Suzuki Ciaz is like a cup of kopi peng. It most definitely isn't fancy or exotic, but it exemplifies simplicity and functionality, and is an ever-reliable daily car that won't disappoint you.
Exterior
It has been quite awhile since Suzuki has offered a compact sedan, the last one being the SX4. The Ciaz is an all new four-door sedan that the brand hopes will emulate the wild success of the Suzuki Swift. It is a sleek and stylish-looking sedan, and the strong shoulder line that runs along the length of the car definitely gives it a sense of presence and dynamism.
The Ciaz also comes with an exclusive RS bodykit, which includes enhancements like front, side and rear underbody spoilers, boot lid spoiler and the 'RS' emblem. While the additional kit may not be immediately noticeable (especially on our single-tone test car), it does give the car a sharper and more distinct look.
Measuring 4,505mm x 1,730mm x 1,475mm (L x W x H), the Ciaz is also slightly bigger than some of its rivals like the Chevrolet Sonic and the Mazda2 Sedan.
While the Ciaz may not be the flashiest or most eye-catching car on the road, it has a simple and straightforward style that reflects its character, much like a kopi peng in a simple kopitiam glass. Interior
The wheelbase has been significantly improved over the SX4 (2,650mm compared to 2,500mm), and this is most noticeably felt inside the car, with more legroom for the rear passengers. And while compact sedans like the Mazda2 Sedan and the Chevrolet Sonic tend to feel cramped on the inside, the Ciaz is generously spacious, reminding us of cars a size above it. The leather seats are ergonomic and comfortable as well.
While the Ciaz may not be the flashiest or most eye-catching car on the road, it has a simple and straightforward style that reflects its character, much like a kopi peng in a simple kopitiam glass. Interior
The wheelbase has been significantly improved over the SX4 (2,650mm compared to 2,500mm), and this is most noticeably felt inside the car, with more legroom for the rear passengers. And while compact sedans like the Mazda2 Sedan and the Chevrolet Sonic tend to feel cramped on the inside, the Ciaz is generously spacious, reminding us of cars a size above it. The leather seats are ergonomic and comfortable as well.
The Ciaz also boasts best-in-class cargo space of 495 litres. While the wheel arches on either side do intrude into the trunk, it shouldn't pose a problem for most people, short of trying to fit a 60-inch TV in the boot lying completely flat.
When you get into the driver's seat, the layout is simple and straightforward. It is admittedly a fairly no-frills, plastic-lined interior, with a focus on functionality and utility. Unfortunately, the car does away with more luxurious amenities like leather trimming, electric seats or climate control.
But for a car that's suitable for the budget-conscious, the Ciaz gives you everything you would conceivably need, including lots of storage pockets, Bluetooth, USB and HDMI connectivity for the touchscreen infotainment system, automatic air-conditioning, steering wheel-mounted controls and a reverse camera.
When you get into the driver's seat, the layout is simple and straightforward. It is admittedly a fairly no-frills, plastic-lined interior, with a focus on functionality and utility. Unfortunately, the car does away with more luxurious amenities like leather trimming, electric seats or climate control.
But for a car that's suitable for the budget-conscious, the Ciaz gives you everything you would conceivably need, including lots of storage pockets, Bluetooth, USB and HDMI connectivity for the touchscreen infotainment system, automatic air-conditioning, steering wheel-mounted controls and a reverse camera.
The Drive
It is once you start up the 1.4-litre DOHC VVT engine and head out onto the roads that you really start to appreciate what Suzuki has done with the Ciaz. Clearly, time, engineering and money have gone into making the car drive well.
Having driven the Swift SE recently, we were struck by how remarkably similar the two cars feel. 91bhp and 130Nm of torque may be modest numbers, but once you gather up speed, the car is extremely responsive to both the steering and throttle.
The use of high-tensile steel for the body structure, combined with a newly designed suspension, means that the Ciaz handles extremely well on the roads. The body feels taut, and the car stays planted through corners. With a curb weight of just a shade over a tonne, the Ciaz feels agile and light on its feet as well.
And when you do settle down on the road, the Ciaz is a well-mannered car. Ride comfort, while on the firm side, is pliant and forgiving. Driven sensibly during our time with the car, it returned a fuel economy figure of 18km/L (close to its listed 18.5km/L figure), which makes it light on the wallet too. In its class, only the Mazda2 Sedan tops it in terms of fuel economy, with a listed 19.2km/L figure.
It is once you start up the 1.4-litre DOHC VVT engine and head out onto the roads that you really start to appreciate what Suzuki has done with the Ciaz. Clearly, time, engineering and money have gone into making the car drive well.
Having driven the Swift SE recently, we were struck by how remarkably similar the two cars feel. 91bhp and 130Nm of torque may be modest numbers, but once you gather up speed, the car is extremely responsive to both the steering and throttle.
The use of high-tensile steel for the body structure, combined with a newly designed suspension, means that the Ciaz handles extremely well on the roads. The body feels taut, and the car stays planted through corners. With a curb weight of just a shade over a tonne, the Ciaz feels agile and light on its feet as well.
And when you do settle down on the road, the Ciaz is a well-mannered car. Ride comfort, while on the firm side, is pliant and forgiving. Driven sensibly during our time with the car, it returned a fuel economy figure of 18km/L (close to its listed 18.5km/L figure), which makes it light on the wallet too. In its class, only the Mazda2 Sedan tops it in terms of fuel economy, with a listed 19.2km/L figure.
Conclusion
The Suzuki Ciaz is a bare bones, no-frills car, and it would be misleading to call it anything else. But it has a strong and sturdy set of bones, a well-engineered and accomplished platform that bodes well moving forward. Its Swift-like handling traits are testament to Suzuki's commitment to sporty yet efficient cars.
Maybe it is the coat of kopi brown paint (Suzuki calls it Dignity Brown Pearl Metallic), but like a good, simple cup of coffee, the Ciaz is an uncomplicated car that serves you well and gets the job done. Yes, I wouldn't mind occasionally forking out $7.00 for a cup of Starbucks with sugar and spice, but on most days, I just want my $1.20 kopitiam coffee.
Just as I can count on my kopi peng for my daily morning caffeine kick, I have come to appreciate the pared-down simplicity of the Ciaz. It is a dependable, reassuring, practical and satisfying daily driver that won't astound, but won't disappoint either.
If you are on the hunt for a practical, spacious, economical and fun-to-drive compact sedan, the new Suzuki Ciaz is hard to overlook.
