Suzuki Liana

        Suzuki Liana is popular in Pakistan

Suzuki Liana – Practical, Compact, and Underrated

Overview

The Suzuki Liana is a compact car produced by Suzuki from 2001 to 2007 (globally), with production continuing in Pakistan until 2014. Known for its spacious interior, tall-boy design, and reliable drivetrain, the Liana served as a successor to the Suzuki Baleno and was available in both sedan and hatchback body styles.

Its name stands for "Life In A New Age," and it was positioned as a versatile family car suitable for urban and suburban use.

Body Styles & Variants

• 5-door hatchback

• 4-door sedan

The Liana came in several trims depending on the market, typically offering:

• 1.3L or 1.6L petrol engines

• Manual or automatic transmissions

• Front-wheel drive, with some all-wheel drive variants in European and Japanese markets

Key Specifications (Varies by market)

Spec	Details
Engine options	1.3L I4, 1.6L I4 (petrol), 1.4L diesel (Europe)
Power output	90–106 hp (depending on variant)
Transmission	5-speed manual / 4-speed automatic
Drive layout	FWD / AWD (select markets)
Fuel efficiency	Around 12–15 km/L (real-world)
Suspension	Front: MacPherson strut; Rear: Torsion beam
Dimensions (Sedan)	L: 4350 mm, W: 1690 mm, H: 1545 mm
Wheelbase	2480 mm

Notable Features (Market dependent)

• Dual airbags

• ABS brakes

• Climate control or manual AC

• Alloy wheels (in higher trims)

• CD player with multi-speaker system

• Power windows and mirrors

• Rear defogger

In Pakistan, the Liana was offered with optional CNG kits from the factory, which appealed to economy-conscious buyers.

Market Reception & Longevity

• Europe & Japan: The Liana was positioned as a practical compact car but had to compete with stronger offerings from Toyota, Honda, and European brands. It gained some attention for its AWD variant and was even used in the BBC’s Top Gear as their “Reasonably Priced Car” from 2002 to 2005.

• Pakistan: Launched in 2005, the Liana was assembled locally by Pak Suzuki and was marketed as a premium option above the Cultus and Baleno. However, it suffered from limited parts availability, electrical issues, and poor resale, which affected its reputation despite solid basics.

Strengths

• Roomy and airy interior

• Good ride height for rough roads

• Reliable engine options

• Affordable running costs (in most markets)

• Factory CNG option (Pakistan)

Weaknesses

• Outdated design by the late 2000s

• Poor resale in markets like Pakistan

• Some variants had build quality or sensor issues

• Lack of aftermarket support in certain regions

End of Production & Legacy

The Liana was eventually replaced by the Suzuki SX4 in global markets and later by the Suzuki Ciaz in Pakistan. Despite its flaws, the Liana remains a budget-friendly option in the used car market and has a small but loyal fan base.