2017 Suzuki Ignis

Suzuki Ignis

Suzuki’s Ignis isn’t trying to be everything to everyone, and that’s the point. It’s a pint-sized crossover with more ground clearance than a Polo Vivo, but without the pretense of being a tough little SUV. On paper at least, the 1.2-litre petrol engine does all the heavy lifting across the lineup, with a choice of manual, AMT, or CVT transmissions—no electrification, no diesel, just straightforward motoring. With only 12 active listings priced between R169,900 and R276,900, you’re unlikely to bump into another Ignis everywhere you go. That median of R226,894 isn’t bargain-basement, but most buyers aren’t chasing the ultra-cheap base models either. Used examples outnumber new, so you’re clearly looking at a car that’s quietly found favour among a loyal set, rather than one flooding the classifieds. The 1.2 GLX MT leads the charge, with seven examples and prices running from R169,900 to R276,900, covering models from 2020 through to 2026, with a respectable average mileage of 41,666 km. The AMT sits in a tighter band—three cars between R214,900 and R249,900—which tells you buyers know exactly what spec they want. You don’t buy an Ignis for raw excitement; you buy it because it’s compact enough to slip into tight Jo’burg parking bays, tall enough to handle potholes without drama, and cheap enough to keep running costs sensible. The Kwid undercuts it, the Picanto’s more fun, but if you pack smart and value space over flash, the Ignis hits a sweet spot that matters.