2006 Suzuki Wagon R+ GL from UK and Ireland - Comments

A few rattles.

Both front door seals loose/hang down.

Squeaky door stays.

Our second Wagon R+, (we had a 2001 1.3GL Arctic (special edition with air-con), which was very reliable apart from tracking issues, time clock and expensive servicing). When we traded for a Kia, we missed it terribly, so after six months, traded for the new 2006 1.2 model with air con and the "new" Vauxhall engine and gearbox.

We were expecting it to have less power, but this new transmission is way superior to the 1.3 unit, with an easier gear selection and a better reverse gear selector- it never grinds into reverse like the 1.3 box. The car pulls better with this new engine, which suits the type of car better than the revvy 1.3 unit, allowing effortless cruising in a light car at low revs with easy pick up. This means that islands can be done in 4th gear which is great. Less gearchanges mean less effort and stress.

The whole car is now better thought out, with a hard parcel shelf, rear headrests that can be left in place when folding the rear seats, plus better seat fabrics, steering wheel and a chrome gearknob.

The stereo, however, is a weak point, and shows the car is ready for the new model, due 2007. It is fiddly, poor quality and has a removable front panel instead of being part of the dashboard like the Swift and Ignis.

We find the car to be ideal for a retired couple, and exceptionally useful for carrying frail and elderly passengers due to its height, wide door apertures and easy to use controls.

It gives good visibility which does help drivers with slower reactions, and is the only car we could use when either of us are feeling ill, due to its ease of use.

It is basically a small MPV with very light controls, good seats, sensible fittings and it is perfect for our needs.

It is ideal for sight-seeing and shopping, visiting distant relatives, and taking out grandchildren. It works very well being the only car in the household once retired, due to its excellent versatility and carrying capacity when needed. It's like having an estate that does 45mpg and is as easy to park as a Mini.

We have found that Wagon R owners are a loyal breed, as many seem to be on their second or third one!

It is an all round better package than the identical Vauxhall/Opel Agila, but Suzuki insist on 9000 service intervals, rather than Opel's 20,000 intervals for the identical car, which increases the running costs. Services are carried out efficiently by the excellent dealers, with the car cleaned before being returned.

It is not an enthusiasts car, more of a workhorse for people uninterested by cars, that care little for fashion. It is most endearing as such, and feels like it was designed by a wise old woman, to be useful rather than ornate; to give good service without fuss. It is not an obvious choice when looking at "normal cars" but an obvious choice the second time around.

They do grow on you, and the only reason that we defected to Kia was because we need air conditioning, which was included on the Picanto, but an £1100 dealer fit option on the 1.3 Wagon R at the time. When the 1.2 was launched with standard air con, we were delighted to be able to afford one again.

If you are considering buying one, stop another Wagon R owner and speak to them; they all seem to adore them!

The style, number of seats, engine and gearbox combination has altered over the last 7 years, but I do find the current 1.2 is the very best to date, now having the most suitable power plant with more power at lower revs.

NB. The dealers are horrified that it is no longer available with an automatic transmission, as they are losing many sales to disabled customers. Nearly new 1.3 VVT autos are highly sought after because of this.

We have never gone to the expense of having an automatic, as the Wagon R controls are so light. In particular, the 1.2 has a finger-light gearbox and feather-light clutch, which is usable even if you suffer pain through poor health.

We really can recommend it very highly indeed. Unlike so many things, the whole design is founded on common sense.

The above report is for my Parent's car, which I drive fairly regularly. It's not pretty, but it is very useful and surprisingly good to drive with a very light gearchange and clutch, and it will pull away in very low revs, and keep pulling even uphill, with four adults on board in the high gears. The engine is surprisingly torquey, and with the good visibility, fitted centre armrest and good mirrors, it is relaxing to use with little effort. Even long journeys are easy due to the interior space and lack of engine revs needed.

This new model with the 1.2 Vauxhall/Opel engine and gearbox is leagues better than their previous 2001 Wagon R 1.3GL with the Suzuki engine, which needed lots of revs to reach the power and was very easy to stall.

I even enjoy driving this newer model, yet I never did enjoy the older 1.3 model. A vast improvement!

What do you expect from a wendyhouse on wheels.

You just get stared at in disbelief. It is reliable if nothing else.

Further to report above:- our 2006 1.2GL has now covered 15,000 fault free miles in 6 months-excellent 9,000 mile service from Ludlow dealer, door seals sorted, squeaky door sorted, reversing light sorted.

Car returned clean and on time.

We can recommend the new model very highly indeed- and although we loved our 2001 1.3 model, this is much better throughout, with better economy, torque and equipment.

We do find that these cars cope well very well with high mileage and heavy use, and expect to cover 80,000 miles in three years. For a small car, the ease of use, good visibility and good comfort (with optional centre arm-rest) makes huge distances a reasonable prospect, and we regularly carry out a fully loaded 400 mile run with no aches or gripes.

I think most Wagon Rs get chugged around town for 5,000 miles per year!! Ours gets used!

We await the all-new 2007 model with a sense of foreboding-this current one is so good and we will want another eventually.

***Update***

Now at 22,000 miles, fault free, apart from slight dash rattle. Front tyres wearing on inner edges and need imminent replacement, but surprisingly expensive at £55 for originals, as they are an unusual size.

Still very happy with the car, and cannot think of a better replacement!

We just hope the next one has NCAP 4* safety or better as we carry the grandchildren in it, and the lack of safety equipment causes some concerns.

Only other thing is the tendency to slightly weave or "squirrel" at motorway speeds, but this is expected of a tall, short and high car, and does not worry us as we mainly use it around the lanes.

Congratulations on an honest and informative review. A few years back, when visiting my mother-in-law in Italy, we borrowed her 1.0litre Wagon to explore Switzerland for a week. Beggars can't be choosers, I thought, but I was astonished. Four of us plus luggage, yet the interior space is amazing. OK, yes, we laboured up some of those mountain passes watching mountain bikers overtake, and yes, they don't do Wagons in red in case the creators of Postman Pat sue, but it's a great little vehicle. Been trying to persuade my folks to ditch their old Fiesta for one!

Thanks for the positive feedback!

We can recommend these cars very highly; they are absolutely ideal for older drivers, and in our experience, Suzuki dealers are very good to deal with.

The near identical Vauxhall/Opel Agila is built in the same factory, and are now virtually identical to the Wagon R+ 1.2 GL in 1.2 Twinport Design trim- these are currently on offer in the UK at £7995 too, but with 0% finance.

If you want an automatic, you will have to source a pre-2005 Wagon R+ in 1.3VVT guise- the auto is no longer available new, much to the dealers' dismay.

Take a test drive; the 2006 1.2 model is superior in almost every way to the older model you drove.

Good luck!

I too owned a Suzuki Wagon R+. For two years I loved every minute driving my 1.0 GA model. A silky smooth and quiet engine it ran well up long motorway inclines and averaged over 50mpg. It was a good load carrier too - very useful as a furniture van. I regularly commuted along the A14 from Suffolk into Cambridgeshire. The only downside and ultimately the reason I sold it on - I found it was easily blown around by strong gusts of wind which I found unnerving - especially on exposed parts of the A14 approaching Cambridge. Perhaps I shall take a look at the new 1.2 soon as I love Suzuki cars and motorcycles.

The newer 1.2 model is more stable, but not as surefooted in crosswinds as a "normal" lower car such as a Swift.

Please be aware that the all new Wagon R+ is due to be launched within the next 12 months, mooted as being similar to the Splash concept (view by internet searches). It is being targeted at younger buyers, which I believe is a mistake.

Still, you might get a discount on the outgoing model soon...

The identical Vauxhall Agila is on offer with £1000 off and 0% finance at the moment.

Good luck.

Update by original writer:

Now at 37,000 miles and all is well. Just spent £280 on 36,000 mile services and front discs/pads which were borderline.

The car has run faultlessly since new and is improving with age, apart from a few minor knocks to the bumper corners, an intermittent lower dash rattle and door stays that dry out and graunch between services.

We await the new model to see if it suits us as well as this one, or whether the manufacturer will go solely after the youth market and spoil it!!

We ran this car until 48,000 miles, and replaced it with a 2007 Perodua Myvi, bought from my son (see report and comments 1.3SXI).

We were going to consider the new Suzuki Splash but we were disappointed with the boot and rear seat space. The Splash is better to drive and is far more modern, but loses out on the larger interior and boot, and loses the overall space and simplicity which we liked the Wagon R+ for.

It is a shame the Splash went after the youth market as we predicted. We did not like the smaller Splash, but do like the Myvi, however we do miss some things about the Wagon R+. The Myvi a better direct replacement for the Wagon R than the Splash, as it is simple, spacious and under £7000 with air-con. The Myvi drives better and is more stable, but the front seats do not go upright enough and some kit is missing-clock, parcel shelf strings, outside temperature gauge, underseat drawers and deadlocks.

My son now owns a Daihatsu Sirion which is nearly identical to the Myvi but has better specification-we would choose this next time as it has the better seats, clock and parcel shelf strings and cost under £7000 with air conditioning. It is also available with the 1.0 engine with 58mpg and £35 yearly road tax.

RIP the Wagon R+. Boo the trendy and more expensive Splash-we are not "youths wanting lifestyle choices". We just want a good cheap, simple, spacious car. The Sirion is the next best thing and our Myvi is perfectly adequate.

The Suzuki dealer says most Wagon R+ drivers do not like the Splash, but they are selling well to younger buyers. Is no-one going to respect the needs of older drivers?