Weight reduction in the chassis area allow for growth spurts in all sections.

As media group test drives go, Suzuki Philippines Inc- Auto frequently lets the local motoring media get their hands on their cars not long after a launch proper.

This was what Suzuki did with a gaggle of Philippine motoring media one cold Tuesday and Wednesday. The group drove to and from the hills of Tagaytay, Cavite to experience the Suzuki Ertiga multi-purpose vehicle or MPV. This writer was assigned the top end GLX, toting a four speed automatic transmission, faux wood trim on the front cabin beltline, push-button ignition, keyless entry, a ten-inch touchscreen head unit, rear bumper-incorporated parking sensors, power-assisted side mirror folding, 15-inch rims and Dunlop EnaSave EC300 185/65R15 tires.

Departing early from the Suzuki Auto Pasig dealership along C5-Pasig (close to the Kalayaan Avenue flyover), this writer’s first impression of Suzuki’s second generation MPV or people carrier was the exterior. True to second generation (chassis code: NC) Ertiga chief engineer Satoshi Kasahara’s mandate to make the NC more of a looker without losing the brand’s people-hauling ability, the overall look and Glorious Brown Pearl colorway made the MPV seem like a junior Lexus. In Metro Manila morning sunlight, the front end seemed like a cross between a 2015-2016 Ford Explorer Sport and the current Kia Carnival, with a lot more chrome on the front grille. Prominent flank creases begin from the front fender and extend to the tailights, a design feature popularized by Lexus vehicles of late and somehow found its way to Kasahara-san’s NC design inspiration. The predominantly red bezel tailights further add to the NC looking more expensive that its P978,000 tag.

For most of the drive, this writer was behind the Ertiga’s d-shaped steering wheel. A feature on the Heartect platform on which the Ertiga is based, the steering wheel makes the unit look sporty. Combine that with nicely weighted steering feel and steering feedback that gives you cornering confidence (even on slow turns) and you can easily shoehorn the NC in cramped mall slots. Of significant note in this regard was the feedback — a big difference from the syrupy steering feedback of the first generation Ertiga.

A Glorious Brown Pearl color and the overall design made the second generation Ertiga look more upscale than its six-figure price suggests.

As for forward motion, the gas-fed K15B 1.5L straight four generally managed to bring with ease this writer, two companion, seven medium travel bags and 1,135 kg of Ertiga kerb weight up and over Tagaytay’s rolling hill asphalt. What made the travel frustrating was the occasional delay in the four-speed A/T kicking down to second gear on inclines. On Tagaytay Highlands’ notorious 30-40 degree uphill tarmac, one had to floor the throttle just to get the A/T into the powerband, thus increasing fuel consumption. At least going down to third gear meant a halfhearted right pedal stab, provided you had momentum at roughly 50-60 kph.

Plus, the brakes on the loaner NC had some fade to them, but that could be chalked up to the brake pads, brake caliper pistons and discs not fully bedding together due to the unit’s newness.

Seat time in either the front passenger or rear passenger areas of the Ertiga was scarce for this writer, but he did take note of his time as a non-driver. The dashboard paneling is a faux wood lacquer of sorts, which when combined with beige and gray plastics make the front cabin look more like a discarded Lexus UX- or NX-series design. The highly touted 10-inch head unit didn’t have Android Auto nor Apple CarPlay, but the in-car entertainment’s Bluetooth hands-free calling featured allowed for music to be played from one’s smartphone to the NC’s four speakers. The lighter chassis allowed for growth spurts, evident in the nearly two fistfuls of ceiling headroom for all rear occupants. Speaking of the ceiling, its divider between the front and the second row has airconditioning vents plus a blower control knob.

Although a full-blown test drive is needed to get the most out of the second generation Ertiga, its driving dynamics, looks and short rear row seat time made a good impression on this writer. In fact, given its price, the Ertiga is a good vehicle.