After three years on the market, the new Suzuki APV “Live Family” has had a major makeover offering the same space yet with improved passenger comfort. The acronym stands for All-Purpose Vehicle and the car offers options for seven or eight seats in three rows. Built on a ladder frame chassis, the APV is made to be tough yet affordable.

Although production costs have been kept low, the Suzuki engineers didn't cut corners when it came to safety. The APV has Suzuki's proprietary TECT (Total Effective Control Technology) body, which is structurally designed so that it controls and redirects collision energy away from the occupants. The doors are reinforced with side impact beams andthere are two front airbags that come as standard.

Externally, the APV looks stylish. The flared wheel arches, large bumpers and prominent grille give it a distinctive identity, while the tall ride height makes it look rugged at the same time.

The generous ground clearance has a downside of giving a high centre of gravity, in that it affects handling so the APV is best driven in a laid-back manner. As long as you avoid driving like a formula one driver, the APV will do just fine with the added benefit of increased visibility from your higher driving position.

The chassis is surprisingly rigid and the softly sprung coil suspension soaks up potholes efficiently, although the ride can get a little choppy on undulating roads. The steering is positive and it provides a lot of feedback to the driver. The brake stopping power is excellent giving good safe retardation even with those heavy loads!

The 92bhp 1.6-litre four-cylinder is a little on the small size for a seven/eightseater, but this APV is still capable of hauling its passengers up a slope even at full capacity. In terms of refinement, the engine is smooth and quiet and the four-speed automatic gearbox is responsive and it shifts flawlessly.

The interior is roomy; having seven or eight adults in the APV shouldn't be too much of a problem, unless each of them is the size of a baby elephant, and there's plenty of legroom all round. Rear luggage space is limited with the third-row seats up. However, it can be easily expanded by folding the rear seats away, which then liberates enough space to allow you to transport something as big as a washing machine.

The standard factory-fitted audio system works just fine, all the switches feel nice to use and the seats offer ample body support. The APV comes with two airbags, rear air-conditioning, leather upholstery, full power windows, electric mirrors, central locking with remote control, colour keyed wing mirrors, fog lamps, 15-inch alloy wheels, door mouldings and a body kit.

The steps that cut into the body by the doors are a thoughtful touch to make getting in and out easy and the rear air-conditioning system is a useful feature to have with a full passenger load.

The Suzuki APV is a capable people carrier and it doesn't try to be anything other than a very affordably priced seven or eight seater passenger vehicle. Also, with the good quality interior and generous standard equipment, it's got to be on your shopping list for a new vehicle if you have a big family.

For more information contact
S.U. Trading Co., Ltd.
227/2 Surin Rd. West, Phuket City
Tel: +66 (0)76 222360
Email: suzuki @phuket-town.com
Website: www.suzuki.co.th