Carmall.com - Speaking of family vehicle, generally it offers comfort above all else. Spacious trunk, capacity to hold seven passengers or a complete entertainment system is probably what makes up a family car. In the low (Multi-Purpose Vehicle), Suzuki Ertiga has all of that main features and this is used as an selling point compared to its rival.

Ertiga is developed by adopting the Suzuki Swift global 2^nd generation base. Well, optimum handling and steady driving have been the Swift's characteristics, plus an altered wheelbase resulted in a longer 2.740 mm one, has created a spacious interior for the Ertiga. These factors are the core of the Ertiga's famed comfort.

"We try to assess the needs and lifestyle of Indonesian society. For that we are confident the Ertiga could fulfill the needs and wants of the society in terms of passengers vehicle", said Akira Utsumi, President Director Suzuki Motor Coorporation Japan, in his opening speech at the Gran Melia Hotel, Kuningan, Jakarta (22/4/12).

Exterior
Hats off to Suzuki's design team who have created the bold lines adorned in the Ertiga, at last a family vehicle could look so stylish. Having a design inspired by urban people's trendy and dynamic aspiration. Its frontal look looks very impressive with black tinted fog lamps that stand out as it combined with big main headlamps that stretch out to the fender.

On its side, the Ertiga's built is very proportional and elegant thanks to its widen over fender combined with defining lines from the a pillar to the C. While the posterior is complemented by a roof spoiler with high mount stop lamp. Lastly this front wheel drive car is adorned with R15 rims wrapped in 185/65 tyres.

Interior
Stepping in to the Ertiga's interior, you will be greeted with an efficient seating arrangement, as the seats on the second and third row can be easily folded. The second row seats are able to slide as far as 240 mm plus an arm rest also provided for better comfort, the latter feature is not available on its rival such as Avanza and Xenia.

Dashboard appeared to have adopted a dynamic sporty style, if compared to its rival of course. For the middle type (GL) and the premium one (GX), audio system already packed a 2 din, AM/FM, 1 CD, MP3/WMA and USB connection port. More plus points to this family car that the competitors do not have is the audio switch control mounted on its steering wheel such as the one we commonly found in premium class vehicle. Easing the driver in controlling audio volume, changing the radio channel or even fast forward to the next song while playing a CD.

Suzuki's new champ in the MPV class is supported with NVH (Noise, Vibration, Harshness) which means that the Ertiga has already been equipped with noise proof system which already passed the noise test by identifying the source and level of noise from outside the cabin, e.g.; noise coming from wheels, wind, etc. This test was performed by using various microphone sensors.

Ertiga has also been armed with anti-vibration device, which been approved by undergoing a test that measures the vibration level from the wheel and engine while driving in various terrain thus creating a comfortable and sound cabin.

Performance
Ertiga is using a petrol fueled engine with 1.4 L, K-type which is light and compact in size. The 1.400 cc, DOHC, Multi Point Injection (MPI), VVT (Variable Valve Timing) which function is to control the Valve Timing maximally be reducing frictions thus minimizing the fuel consumption. The said K14 engine is then paired with 5-speed manual transmission that could lashes out power up to 96hp at 6.000 rpm, maximum torque points at 127 Nm at 4.000 rpm.

For transmission choices, Suzuki only provides the manual type for Ertiga. However if the demands are high then possibility of having an automatic version of Ertiga is more likely to happen. Meanwhile, Ertiga excels in safety features compared to its competitors as it is decked in BAS brake, EBD and airbags for the premium type.

Casting aside its competitor, Avanza Veloz as it is only equipped with ABS brake sans airbags. In addition to the features mentioned earlier, on each of its doors has a Side Door Impact Beam that could protect the passengers when a hard collision comes from the side, and this feature is implanted in all of the Ertiga's line-up.