Suzuki Liana GLX saloon
Nobody can deny that value for money is an important factor in any buying decision. Do you plump for the big brand baked beans, or are you the kind of person who prefers to save the pennies and eat the supermarket's own variety?
With its generous levels of standard equipment and highly competitive price, the Liana saloon can't be ignored. But ultimately, it's difficult to see the point of this latest addition to the Suzuki range. The four-door doesn't offer the practicality of the hatchback version, has an unusually shaped load compartment and offers little in the way of image.
Nobody can deny that value for money is an important factor in any buying decision. Do you plump for the big brand baked beans, or are you the kind of person who prefers to save the pennies and eat the supermarket's own variety?
If it's the latter, then there's a good chance you'll be happy to take your shopping home in the boot of a Suzuki Liana saloon. The four-door offering is like a supermarket's alternative to a Ford Focus, Vauxhall Astra or even VW Bora: the contents might not be as nice, but the ingredients are similar.
By far the biggest plus point is the Liana's price - at £9,995, this 1.6 GLX model undercuts the less well appointed four-door Focus 1.6 LX by £2,500, while it's £1,000 cheaper than Suzuki's own equivalent hatchback. Throw in a generous spec list, which includes ABS, dual front and side airbags, a CD player, remote locking, air-conditioning and four electric windows, and the Liana looks even more attractive.
But although a fierce pricing strategy will be enough to woo a handful of buyers, the car is compromised in a number of areas. The build quality may be vastly improved over the old Suzuki Baleno, but it still lacks the polish of European rivals, while a cheap aftermarket stereo and irritating digital dials do little to enhance its appeal.
The four-door layout adds further confusion - conventional saloons are never a big hit in the UK market, and a small manufacturer such as Suzuki will have difficulty attracting buyers into showrooms. That said, the boot is spacious and enhanced by a split-folding rear seat, although access for longer items is restricted by an A-shaped rear bulkhead which leaves an unusual triangular loading aperture.
Otherwise, the car shares the same attributes as its five-door brother. That means it has a spacious and comfortable cabin, a refined ride and surprisingly agile handling, although the 102bhp 1.6-litre engine struggles on motorways and sounds harsh at speed.
The Liana plays its value card well and is a good package for the money. But with little in the way of badge kudos, only those who aren't fashion-conscious will be full of beans when they drive it...
