Finally saw it in the flesh yesterday at Suzuki Auto Sucat. Yes, it looks like the GA will only have single a/c which is a deal breaker for me. I saw the GL and GLX matic. The bang for the buck variant will be the GL for me.
Some pics:
https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?...1&l=5aca528527
My findings on the GL with some compared to the Avanza and Spin LS minus the diesel engine in terms of pricing range:
- the front passenger seat may not need to be pushed backward as the front passenger legroom is superb. Good for adding more legroom to the second row. Middle row slides front and back. Middle row seats +1 against Avanza E and Spin (fixed fold and tumble)
- GL variant gets both ABS and EBD. +1 against the Avanza E and Spin LS (none)
- GL variant already gets driver and passenger airbag. +1 against the Avanza E (driver only) and Spin LS (none)
- Tried the airconditioning and I find that the blowers are somewhat on the weaker end at full setting although I am quite comfy at the last row provided that the rear blow is set to max. 4 rear middle a/c vents versus 3 on the Avanza. The spin wins in this category with 2 vents each row but fan speed also on the weaker end at the max level. Front aircon blower nowhere near an Altis at full speed.
- EPS is very light, reminds me of a GE Jazz.
- No MT variants on display so I have yet to feel the clutch pedal.
- Accelerator is drive by wire. Light feel, throttle lag is almost not noticeable except for OC's.
- Engine feels very refined compared to the K3-VE of the Avanza E. Still nowhere near the economy and midrange torque of the Spin LS but that's a diesel.
- No rear wiper on the GL model. Avanza E wins this.
- 3rd row folds flat but is not split compared to a Carens. The current avanza has 50/50 splits but will only fold and tumble. Spin has one-piece fold and tumble similar to the previous gen Avanza.
- For me, this looks a lot better than both the Spin and Avanza but looks are opinion-based. The spin has a really ackward rear end. The current Avanza's rear end looks like it got rear ended with crumpled sheet metal out of the factory. Whoever designed that rear end should be fired.
- GL's audio system already is the integrated type with aux and USB ports near the 12v socket. Only the GLX gets the steering wheel controls and front dashboard tweeters.
- The missus will definitely love the beige interiors as with the previous carens but it will be a PITA to clean.
- The 15" stock alloys suit it really well. +1 against the Avanza E and Spin LS.
Not bad at 712k for the GL M/T. The missus will always prefer a stickshift and so do I.