While extremely rewarding, raising a family is not without its challenges – household expenses go up, the days get busier and getting from A to B can seem like a major operation. When it comes to choosing a vehicle that is fit for this demanding job, it’s no surprise that Kiwis absolutely adore roomy, pocket-friendly and comfortable SUVs.
Suzuki specialises in 5-person SUVs that cover the most important things to look for in a family-friendly car and offer some of the most affordable on the market.
So, if you are looking at adding a reliable and fuel efficient SUV to your family, take a look at our top 3 which will fit right in and won’t cost you an arm and a leg.
Suzuki S-Cross
The Suzuki S-Cross loads up the luxury without the hefty price tag, earning its reputation as an excellent value, premium SUV. You will appreciate its family-friendly features when the kids are in tow, but love how it looks and feels when you have it all to yourselves.
Vehicle size
Every family is different when it comes to their needs and expectations for an SUV, but there are a few things every family SUV needs to have - headroom, legroom, and cargo space. The elevated S-Cross delivers on all three fronts with plenty of room for a family of five to cruise in comfort and load up with gear.
The S-Cross is capable and easy to manage while delivering a quiet, comfortable ride. The compact but higher body shape makes the challenge of parking and in-town driving a thing of the past and for those who need added capability in rough weather or slippery surfaces, AWD is available as an option.
Storage space
With seating for 5, this compact SUV can easily fit child passenger car seats with two ISOFIX and three tether anchorages. The S-Cross has a boot capacity of 430-440 litres and easy loading for strollers and all those extras that naturally come with a growing family.
Safety
Your most valuable cargo (your family) is well protected as every S-Cross comes equipped with the full advanced safety suite, including automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, seven airbags, auto levelling and light-sensing headlights, and front and rear parking sensors. On the JLX, you also get all-round views including birds-eye, with the 360° camera feed so you can know your surroundings before you move.
Economical
As you know, raising kids is expensive, so your SUV should have plenty of features for the money as well as above-average fuel efficiency. In the S-Cross, you get the benefits of excellent fuel economy (6.6-6.9L per 100 km - 3P-WLTP conversion) as well as ‘get up and go’ performance from its clever 1.4 BoosterJet turbo engine. You’ll feel confident navigating the open road even when fully loaded.
Entertainment
Infotainment and entertainment work seamlessly in this SUV, offering plenty of connectivity options, including Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and USB input. It's classy inside, too, and comes with a smart and user-friendly infotainment system.
Extra cargo space
If you are into the outdoors and adventure, you can mount roof racks for bikes and other large items with attachments to the integrated roof rails, or install a tow bar for light towing.
Reliability and cost
‘Bang for your buck’ is not just about finding the SUV with the most features you are looking for at the lowest cost possible. You should also consider reliability, durability and overall ownership costs such as insurance, maintenance, fuel and repair expenses. A new S-Cross comes with the assurance of Suzuki’s 5 year warranty and roadside assistance programme and a well-established, nationwide network of Suzuki service and parts centres, as well as being an affordable SUV choice when buying new. The S-Cross and Suzuki is well-established in New Zealand, and has strong resale value when you are looking to trade it in for a new one.
Suzuki Vitara Hybrid
Designed with a sporty, rugged 4WD look and feel, the Suzuki Vitara Hybrid continues to be a solid option for families, especially those who need AWD for adventurous weekends or challenging winter driving. Easy-to-clean interior, combined with lots of cargo space and legroom make this a favourite for SUV fans, especially when travelling with kids or fur babies.
Vehicle size
Perfect for daily in-town driving and family road trips, the Vitara delivers unbeatable practicality, convenience, and flexibility. With a more traditional SUV shape and a squarish rear end, this compact SUV has plenty of headroom, legroom, and cargo space for kids, friends, gear, luggage, and more.
This Vitara is an excellent all-rounder with plenty of options, including two different engines, 2WD or AWD, varying levels of features, and a comfortable price point for the discerning buyer.
Storage space
When going nearly anywhere, a family often resembles a traveling circus with all the gear needed to keep the show on the road, so a premium is placed on available load space and flexibility. The Vitara Hybrid rises to the challenge with plenty of storage solutions for your trip needs, including space for toys, bags, strollers, adventure equipment, and even snacks when you get hungry. This SUV also features a removable luggage board in the boot with a flat compartment underneath, ISOFIX and tether anchorages, console box and other onboard spots for odds and ends.
Safety
To help you and yours get from one place to the next with extra care, the Vitara Hybrid comes equipped with airbags, ESP, ABS, reverse camera, cruise control and LED daytime running lamps.
For a little extra, the Vitara Hybrid offers a full array of driver-assistance technology including DSBS, adaptive cruise control, lane departure warning, rear cross traffic alert and blind spot alert system.
Economical
If an economical SUV is high on your list of priorities, you should definitely take a look at the Vitara Hybrid. Its powerful petrol engine makes it quick and easy to handle on city streets or steep or slippery trails and quietly confident on the open road. Achieving between 5L to 6L per 100 km (3P-WTP conversion), this SUV is ideal for commuting to school, work, shopping, and weekends away before needing a refill. In short, this car has the performance and power of an SUV and the fuel efficiency of a small compact car.
Entertainment
Cars are often the ‘home away from home’. They're where we connect, catch up and sing our hearts out, whether driving to the playground or on a holiday up north. Which is why it’s important a family SUV has intuitive and easy to reach driver controls. The touchscreen display in the Vitara Hybrid allows you to seamlessly connect to your smartphone to access the Sat Nav and your favourite playlist. You can take calls and change music hands-free and set cruise control and AEB via the buttons on the steering wheel.
Extra cargo space
Much like the S-Cross, the Vitara Hybrid's integrated roof rails provide a practical starting point for extending your cargo needs. Surfboards, skis, camping equipment can be loaded onto the roof, leaving essential space free inside the car for the whole family. Or put it all on the trailer and tow it behind.
Reliability and cost
The Vitara continues delivering even after the initial outlay and with Suzuki Finance there are easy to own options available, so you can manage it within your budget. With the 5 year manufacturer’s warranty, affordable service plans and strong resale prices, this reliable SUV is a top choice for getting the best value for money and the most out of life’s adventures.
Suzuki Ignis
The Suzuki Ignis is a one-of-a-kind, practical, and economical mini-SUV ideal for families with small children, as a second family car or for grandparents or caregivers involved in helping with child-care. Owners love the compact feel, the distinctive colours and overall cuteness, and is durable, easy to clean while being comfortable and nicely appointed.
Vehicle size
Although the smallest in the Suzuki family of SUVs, the Ignis uses Suzuki’s clever design to make the interior cabin seem larger. Its size makes it easier to park, reverse, and get around. Plus with the instant acceleration from the fuel efficient engine, fun to drive.
Visibility is excellent for in-town driving and its elevated seating position with tall roofline means it’s easy to get in and out of, and to reach over and buckle up the child car seats in the back. Its standout body shape, built on a light, rigid platform, provides excellent passenger comfort and tight turning ability, which comes in handy when having to dash home because you have forgotten something essential.
Storage space
Inside you’ll find drink holders in the front and back, places to put keys, your phone and easy to reach snacks.
On the LTD, you’ll find rear seats that can slide forward and backwards, making it possible to adjust for legroom, luggage and all sorts of packing situations. This does mean you can only have 2 people in the back seats on the Ltd but it does allow great flexibility in passenger and luggage space. The GLX with a more conventional rear seat design remains a 5 seater.
Safety
For confidence and safety, the Ignis is equipped with a reverse camera, hill hold control, cruise control (autos), speed limiter, ESP, EBD, ABS, Suzuki's TECT body, six airbags, and other innovative safety systems and driving features.
Economical
The Ignis is exceptionally fuel efficient for a compact SUV at 5.2-5.4L per 100km (WLTP-3 conversion). It's powered by a 1.2-litre engine with DualJet technology, making the car quick, and highly efficient.
Entertainment
With a touchscreen infotainment system that includes Android Auto, and Apple CarPlay, as well as features like a speed limiter and cruise control, you’ll have everything you need for a quick trip to get supplies or a longer family road trip.
Extra cargo space
The Ignis comes standard with integrated roof rails so cargo space can be upsized with a roof rack or a bikes mounted on towbar attachment.
Reliability and cost
Protected by the 5-year Suzuki warranty, this SUV is super affordable to buy new and super affordable to use every day.
Deciding which SUV is best for transporting you and your family is one of life’s important decisions. From comfortable spaciousness, enhanced safety, excellent fuel economy and known reliability, Suzuki provide some of the best value family SUVs in New Zealand.
So, start first by deciding what you and your family need and check out our complete guide to buying a car.
