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Reviews on Liana Suzuki
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The Liana elegant, individual, easy to,live with and fun to drive
All-aluminium 1.6-litre fuel-injected engine is powerful and efficient
Superbly manoeuvrable and relaxing to drive
ABS, airconditioning and remote central locking
Remote central locking
Dual front airbags
Side impact protection beams
Steering Lock
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| Reviews |
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| No withering on this vine - but are we all drinking from the same bottle? |
| Rating: 9/10 |
Date: 05/17/04 |
Author: AutoGyro |
Pros:
Jewel-like raver of an engine
Sharp handling, superbly weighted power steering, stability
Cathedral-like inside, great sense of space - good acoustics.
Lots of quality goodies at moderate cost
Solid Suzuki quality (better than Mercedes) and long warranty |
Cons:
Body kit versions (GLX SE) too near ground for us yokels
Not the best economy if you use the power & revs.
If other reviewers are to be believed, there may be some less than fit earlier models about - try before you buy, trust your judgement, and buy what you like. |
General:
There are a good few reviews reporting the Liana hatches as suffering from body roll, vague steering, bumpy ride, and other flaws that did put me off until the day I drove a used Liana GL (53 plate) with extras added to near enough GLX SE spec.
From my viewpoint, it suffers from none of these things, so either those reporters were driving earlier cars, or they had a very different viewpoint.
My view is that of an elderly engineer with a good few track miles in cars, on bikes and in hovercraft and other exotic vehicles (yes, Pogo sticks too). Some years I'd cover 50K miles and do a full-time job as well, some days I'd do over 900 miles. After a career in and around quick vehicles, I'm happiest in cars where I can sense the surface through the steering and prefer a car that can be controlled in a slide without white-knuckling it. Many 'modern' cars have lost the ability to do this.
We also like having headroom in the Range Rover class, the tall cabin and long seat slider mean that I can drive comfortably with someone my size sitting equally easily behind me, and I'm big, bulgy and tall (188 cm). Never needed the seat slider all the way back - would have been too far from the pedals. Fitted my lady, too - slid well forward.
Lianas have loads of goodies, without quite having a combination alarm-clock and tea-maker - but what really won us over was the combination of sharp handling with well-controlled body roll and utterly unobtrusive power steering - power, yes, but not over-assisted. That, the load space, and the willing engine had us buying the car half an hour later!
Looks? It's up to you - looks OK to me - the GLX SE body kit is a bit naff, but aren't they all? Sorry, Wayne and Sharon! It also brings breakable bits nearer the ground, ready to be eaten by gate fixings and driveways. NOT a recommended option out here in the sticks, or anywhere with sleeping policemen or elephant droppings.
High point:
The engine comes from the same company that makes the Hayabusa, no? If that's not a name you know, do check it out.
This one also wants to wail! Not much quicker than others in the price range, but ever so willing and enjoyable to drive, and look at the size of the bodyshell. Clever design, and room for a party in the back - takes my guitars, amps, and 300W PA cabinets.
Take a look at the Top Gear website - the "Star in an Affordable Car Challenge" (or some such name) featuring a Liana saloon being thrashed mercilessly against the clock by the great, the good and the other lot. It holds its line well in a screaming slide - try that in many other similar beasts!
Ford Focuses I have driven seemed softer and floppier in corners, with too much power assist on the steering for accuracy. Don't ask about the W-plate Nissan Almera we tried! Gruesome, grotty and not a lot cheaper.
And yes, our own Liana slides well too - hangs on long (on Bridgestones), and breaks very smoothly. Car looks too tall for those stunts, but it surprised me most pleasurably. Having that ability in a car, and learning to use it has saved my skin a few times on the road, and it's reassuring to have it in the wet. In a really roomy hatch, it's delicious!
Well done Suzuki-san. |
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| Disclaimer: The comments above reflect the view of the reviewer and not necessarily those of NitroPrice. To learn more click here |
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