Wagon
R
 Wagon
R was born in 1993. Over the past 11 years, more than 2 million units
were
sold, making it the biggest selling K-car in history. It was also the
first
K-car beating Toyota Corolla in domestic sales chart. During those
years
it usually topped the K-car sales chart, such success must thanks to
its
outstanding packaging - a combination of good look, tall body, roomy
interior
and flexible seating. However, this formula was copied by Daihatsu Move
and other rivals quickly. In contrast, Wagon R improved little over the
years. It has lost its leading position.
 In
late 2003, a so-called "new generation" was launched, but in fact it is
just a re-package on the existing mechanicals. The new Wagon R still
rides
on strut and trailing arm suspensions, employing the same engines and
gearbox.
The monocoque chassis is 35mm lower than before, but otherwise is
unchanged,
including the 2360mm wheelbase and the rectangular profile. In my eyes,
this shape is by all means bland and boring, even failing to match the
original Wagon R.
The cabin, like
the exterior,
is disappointingly raw. Don’t talk of any quality materials. Don’t talk
of any styling and taste. Suzuki seems to have no intention to inject
any
desirability into the Wagon R. It just works - it offers countless of
storage
cubbies, a rear bench slide, split and fold flat, front and rear seats
that combine into a bed.... but these features are no longer new to the
class. In fact, most K-cars offer these utilities now. It used to offer
a class-leading cabin space, but now Daihatsu Move and Honda Life have
overtaken it by using longer wheelbase.
  
Wagon R seems to
be the victim
of Suzuki’s differentiated K-car range. When it was launched in 1993,
it
was considered to be a niche, trend-setting model. Today, Suzuki has at
least five K-cars in its menu - in particular, Lapin goes the niche
route,
MR Wagon shines in quality packaging. This leaves Wagon R little space
to explore. It can only concentrate on space, practicality and keen
pricing,
losing the limelight it used to get.
|
MR
Wagon has a fashionable monospace body like some modern MPVs. It does
not
have as much unused headroom like Wagon R, but the cab-forward
windscreen
and big window area bring a bright and airy feel to the cabin.
Unfortunately,
van-like driving position and dull dashboard left something to be
desired.
Base
on the Wagon R platform, Suzuki developed a SUV-looking derivative
called
Kei. Whether Kei has real off-road ability is not important to its
target
buyers. What they care most is a purposeful styling and big ground
clearance
to give it a tough impression. The cabin is much smaller than Wagon R
and
MR Wagon. To accommodate the optional 4WD it has a transmission tunnel
eating into rear passengers’ legroom. Dark plasticky interior indicates
its age. It is powered by the same engines as Wagon R - a 54hp
naturally
aspirated 12V with VVT and a 60hp mild-charge turbo.
Lapin
is perhaps the most lovely derivative of Wagon R. It is all about
style.
Some said it copies the "Simple is beautiful" theory of Toyota bB, but
in my opinion the Lapin is far more than that. While bB is so
straightforward
to the extent that feeling boring, the Lapin looks elegant, pretty and
retro.
Lapin
targets at young women customers. Its colorful dashboard must please
them.
The instrument binnacle, air vents and even the dash-mounted audio all
looks cute. Compare with the dullness of other Suzuki interiors, this
one
seems like coming from another planet. It even sacrifices some
practicality
for style, for example, all seats are flat and lack of lateral support,
rear seats cannot split, and there are no big door bins like Wagon R
etc.
However, to please girls there are a lot of small storage spaces
though,
including a drawer in the passenger side’s dashboard - for keeping
make-up
stuffs ? 
Alto
is the longest serving nameplate for Suzuki and is also the oldest car
here. Looks the most conventional. Low roof does not provide as much
interior
space. Rear seats fold but not split. No much versatility to talk
about.
The only advantage is lightweight (680kg).