Perfect for ride hailers

Toyota’s Corolla Quest, which was launched in 2014 — the same year Uber started in SA — remains a firm favourite with Uber drivers. But I’ve also hailed a ride in a Nissan Micra and a VW Polo.

Yet none of these reliable cars can touch what has now replaced the Nissan Almera as my uber car for Uber drivers — the Suzuki Ciaz.

On its way to fetch you, this Japanese

At the rear the 480-litre boot swallows an entire family’s luggage. Among 4,4 metre sedans, only the Nissan Almera, launched in 2013, does better with a 490-litre boot.

Combined with the lightest kerb weight among its competitors (only 1 020 kg) and a slick gearbox, this dad’s sedan is actually fun to drive — so much so I never got around to doing some sedate consumption tests. Still, I got 6,2 l/100 km pushing the revs between lights.

Uber drivers want a warranty that offers distance rather than years, and the 100 000 km or three years that Suzuki offers is adequate. But the Almera does rather better with 150 000 km or six years; as does the Polo, with 120 000 km or three years.

The Almera also beats the Ciaz’s service plan of three years or 60 000 km by an extra 30 000 km.

But the Almera costs over R8 000 more and is now half-a-decade old, while the Ciaz was launched earlier this year, making this Suzuki a no brainer for any ride hailer.