You have to admit that the name Liana sounds good. Somehow it gives us the impression of a romantic woman. But that isn't what the Japanese people of Suzuki had in mind, writes Andrew Hamilton
Liana for them is a rather horrible acronym for Life In A New Age. We know that because Liana actually came to the Irish market back in July of last year, in a five-door shape. She - sorry it - has now arrived in five-door hatchback form.
This New Age traveller has enhanced the Suzuki image in the small family car segment. Traditionally, the badge has been best-known on small and medium-sized four-wheel-drive jeeps such as the Jimny and Vitara and small city cars such as the Alto and Swift as well, of course, as motor cycles.
Liana comes with two engine options, 1.3 and 1.6 litre. Irish ex-works prices start at €17,314 for both the 1.3 four and five-door models. The bigger 1.6 litre is €19,879 ex-works, again for both saloon and hatchback forms.
All versions have driver and passenger airbags, electric windows and mirrors and central locking. The bigger-engined 1.6 litre cars additionally have side airbags, air conditioning and ABS brakes as standard.
Niall O'Gorman for Suzuki Ireland says Liana has brought Suzuki into the heart of the C segment, accounting for 32 per cent of all registrations here. "We think we are now well place with the expanded Liana range to achieve annual sales of over 500 cars," he says.
The five-door has a high roofline that is reminiscent of the current crop of family MPVs. The new four-door saloon has more conventional lines for traditional customers who probably won't be thinking much about New Age Life!