The 1st Generation Suzuki Kei was introduced in 1998. The 1998 Suzuki Kei is a front engine front/four wheel drive mini SUV. The Suzuki Kei 1st Generation is related underneath to the Suzuki Alto. The 1st Generation Suzuki Kei was also rebadged and sold as the Mazda Laputa in other regions around the word. Production of the Suzuki Kei 1998 lasted for 11 years, the Suzuki Kei was available to purchase in the year 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007 and the year 2008. The Suzuki Kei was available in 2 versions 3-door hatchback and 5-door hatchback. The 1998 Suzuki Kei is also available in 5 variants A, B Turbo, C, E and G.
The price of the 1st Generation Suzuki Kei was not competitive when compared with other cars in the same class available in the local market.
Exterior
The exterior of the 1998 Suzuki Kei features a fairly restrained design language. The front end houses angular side swept headlights, a trapezium black grille with multiple inlets, a trapezium air intake with triple inlets and dual standard circular fog lights surrounded by black accents. The rear end houses high mounted rectangular styled vertical stacked side swept taillights and a standard case hatchback. The 3-door hatchback and 5-door hatchback versions feature identical styling apart from the 5-door hatchback versions being slightly longer in order to accommodate the rear door. All versions of the Suzuki Kei feature identical styling. The overall exterior of the 1st Generation Suzuki Kie features a fairly minimalistic design language that is familiar for a kei car mini SUV designed in the late nineties. Options include a roof spoiler.
Interior
The interior of the 1st Generation Suzuki Kei compromises of black plastic trim pieces. The front and rear seats are covered in fabric. Standard features include air conditioning, power windows, power steering, power lock doors, a stereo speaker audio system and a tachometer. Features on the higher end C variant include a rear wiper and privacy glass. Features on the higher end E variant features automatic climate control. Features on the highest end G variant includes leather upholstery. Options include satellite navigation, cruise control and a reversing camera. The overall interior of the 1998 Suzuki Kei offers a decent amount of interior space in the front but a lack of interior space in the rear, it offers a decent level of comfort and refinement.
Engine
Engine
0.66 Liter DOHC 12 Valve Inline-3
0.66 Liter DOHC 12 Valve Turbocharged Inline-3
Gearbox
5-Speed Manual Transmission
4-Speed Automatic Transmission
Mileage
The Suzuki Kei 1st Generation can achieve an average of up to 15KM/L, for an estimated driving range of up to 450KM from the mini SUV,s 30-liter fuel tank.
Competitor
The main competitors of the Suzuki Kei 1998 are Mitsubishi Mini Pajero, Honda HRV, Toyota RAV 4, Honda N Box and the Daihatsu Terios.
Specifications
0.66 Liter DOHC 12 Valve Inline-3 [email protected]
0.66 Liter DOHC 12 Valve Turbocharged Inline-3 [email protected]
Pros & Cons
Pros
Decent off-road abilities
Fairly Economical
Fairly Small exterior dimensions
Cons
Lack of interior space in the rear
Underpowered
Lack of spare parts
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