Suzuki Baleno
Well, at least it’s not another SUV
Something of a segment straddler, twixt large supermini and smaller family hatchback. Billed as a more practical alternative to the admirable Swift. Cheapest offering here, but does that mean in every sense of the word?
Unforgettable; that’s what you aren’t…
Dares to be different with the front styling, and ends up aping Kevin Spacey’s lower lip during his superb impersonation of the late, great James Stewart. Too much chromed plastic trim and diminutive 16″ wheels.
No elephants were harmed during the making of this production
Interior somewhat gloopy, with rafts of hard plastics throughout. Seat rake adjustment lever horrid sharp edged nonsense, but upshot comfortable and driving position fine. Bench-firm but spacious aft accommodation thanks to sacrifice in loadspace.
Sounds of the lounge, or options list scrounge
Why can’t Suzuki detail its cars as beautifully as it details its motorcycles? Touch screen small, but just about usable; DAB, Apple CarPlay and MirrorLink. Driver’s multi-information screen boats G-force meter. GOSH. Sorry, I meant GSOH.
One of our spark plugs is missing
Three-pot turbo makes its presence felt at idle more than s-s-s-somewhat, but extremely willingness to rev allied to car weight some 400 bags of sugar less than anything else here belies such modest performance figures.
A wheel in the ditch, and a wheel on the track
Classic attack of Japanese ‘thinsulation’, so progress is somewhat noisy. Body control not great, and the arrival of understeer early. But, like a puppy on a parquet floor, amusing to push to the point of slither.
Verdict
Ample space for the money. Puts a smile on the face of the reckless.
Fiat Tipo
Well, at least it’s not another SUV
Latest example of Fiat’s claim to be ‘one brand with two souls’; unlike the 124 Spider and 500, this, perchance, falling into the ‘ain’t got no…’ category. Should sport the 1.4 litre petrol unit here.
Unforgettable; that’s what you aren’t…
The appendix to the Bumper Boy’s Book of hatchback styling. Grille detailing an early attempt at Morse code before they added the dot, busy lamp clusters and more bodywork pleats than a pair of curtains.
No elephants were harmed during the making of this production
Evidence of extensive poaching actually, plus another hard, shiny texture resembling like the drying dermis of a long-beached orca. Not uncomfortable, but very upright driving position a good trick to facilitate plenty of legroom astern.
Sounds of the lounge, or options list scrounge
Instrumentation inelegant and touch screen looks smaller than the average mobile phone; try stabbing that with any accuracy at speed. Unlike car itself, multimedia not top spec, so DAB, but limited smartphone app involvement only.
One of our spark plugs is missing
Exceedingly narrow power band from 1.6 litre diesel, and feels a tad sluggish despite lashings of torque. Pedal box too cramped for left leg, and gear change baggy as a clown’s trousers. Well insulated cruising.
A wheel in the ditch, and a wheel on the track
Suspension on the firm side, but nicely damped to give good ride quality. Body control acceptable, but artificial, elasticated steering horrid as tights on gurls. Kills what pleasure there may not have been in safe, uninspired handling.
Verdict
Probably the best all-rounder here. But cheapest 1.0 litre petrol too pricey at £20,420
CAR WINNER
Hyundai i30 SE Nav
Well, at least it’s not another SUV
As with the Cee’d, the i30’s starting to look somewhat expensive, where once a lower price and a better warranty were Korean USPs. But at least this one turned up with the correct three-pot powerplant.
Unforgettable; that’s what you aren’t…
Know that party game where you have 10 seconds to remember as many items on a tray as possible? Well, if the i30 were there, we fear it would make the list of no one except district nurses.
No elephants were harmed during the making of this production
Less flashy on board than sister company Kia’s Cee’d, and the overall impression is, erm, grey. Needs a shot of honey in the porridge. But other than that a good, comfortable driving position. Adequate room astern.
Sounds of the lounge, or options list scrounge
Clean instrumentation and a good sized 8″ touchscreen mounted against rather than in the dash. All the toys, including sat nav, DAB radio, Android Auto, Apple CarPlay and wireless charging for a phone I don’t own.
One of our spark plugs is missing
At low revs the engine is reluctant to pick up smoothly; ask for too much too soon and you’ll be rewarded with nought save a hiccup. Eager, and quiet, thereafter. Gear change notchier than a Red Arrows pilot’s bedpost…
A wheel in the ditch, and a wheel on the track
Suspension too tough, smashing over lumps. Steering mostly harmless. More eager to turn in than Cee’d, but less composed overall. Requires thrashing to elicit progress, but respectably quiet in the cruise. 6th gear overdrive status only.
Verdict
Floats like a butterfly, stings like a butterfly. Not posh enough to be this pricey.
Kia Cee’d 4
Well, at least it’s not another SUV
Latest model not only a handsome facelift, but also a handsome price hike. Kia has clearly decided that the quality is now there to compete toe-to-toe with segment leaders such as VW’s Golf 1.4 TSI.
Unforgettable; that’s what you aren’t…
Best looking car here, largely by dint of the fact that the nose is a deal lower than anything else, and that the Schreyer, Guillaume axis has a concise Kia lexicon when it comes to styling language.
No elephants were harmed during the making of this production
Interior in danger of becoming classy. Still a whiff chrome-heavy for some tastes. Snug leather upholstery and a good driving position, despite a rather high-set helm. Plenty of room astern on the most comfortable bench here.
Sounds of the lounge, or options list scrounge
Kia’s grade ‘4’ specification includes the company’s most comprehensive multimedia system, so take the likes of DAB, Android Auto and Apple CarPlay for granted. Evidence of ongoing belief in proper switchgear a good thing.
One of our spark plugs is missing
Well, it should be. So think three-pot stolen from the i30 rather than 1.6 litre diesel fitted here. Marriage to 7-speed dual-clutch transmission promotes Brylcreem smooth progress which never feels that brisk, despite lumps of torque.
A wheel in the ditch, and a wheel on the track
More fun than the Fiat, but then so is a verruca. Ride not as composed as the Tipo, but compensates by feeling a deal lighter on its feet. Mildly involving and adequately tenacious through corners.