JAPAN’S TINY ADVENTURE MACHINE SUZUKI SPACIA GEAR GETS A REFRESH
You might be scratching your head and thinking, “Spacia, what-now?” That’s understandable; the majority of us think of Nissan Silvia or GT-R when talking about the Japanese automotive market. Japan might be known as the country of cherry blossom and Godzilla, but the Kei cars are a quintessential Japanese contraption. And the Suzuki Spacia Gear is the best example – a little vehicle with a big personality. Its latest incarnation has been just unveiled in Japan, and this micro-SUV looks ready to take on the great outdoors, all while being perfectly sized for the tiniest city streets in the world.
Rugged Looks and Clever Touches
The previous model of Suzuki Spacia Gear has been completely redesigned, with a special focus on giving it a rugged, go-anywhere vibe. You can call it a miniature Jeep, complete with round LED headlights, a chunky grille, and skid plates that look ready to take on a gravel road. Suzuki added handy features like roof rails, perfect for strapping on your kayak or camping gear, and snazzy 15-inch alloy wheels that look right at home on a dirt trail. Although that kayak will dwarf the tiny Spacia Gear, making it look like a mouse wearing a big cowboy hat.
Inside, the Spacia Gear gets a refresh that caters to both adventurers and city slickers. The seats are decked out in water-repellent fabrics, and the cargo area gets a durable cover, ideal for hauling muddy boots or your trusty dog. As long as it’s not bigger than a Chihuahua. And for those who like to get away from it all, Suzuki is throwing in a whole range of camping-friendly accessories. We’re talking a roof rack, a retractable awning, and even cushions that turn the interior into a comfy double bed. Spacia Gear even gets a heated steering wheel, a lifesaver on chilly mornings, whether you’re camping in the woods or just battling the city traffic.
Small but Mighty
Suzuki’s playing coy on the exact specs, but we’re expecting a mild-hybrid 660cc three-cylinder engine. That might not sound like much, but in a lightweight kei car, it’s enough to get the job done. The non-rugged Spacia gets either 49-horsepower or 82-horsepower to push it along. You’ll likely have the choice between two power levels, and both front-wheel-drive and all-wheel-drive options are on the menu, and so is the automatic gearbox.
The Spacia Gear isn’t alone in the tiny-but-tough segment. It’s got rivals like the Mitsubishi Delica Mini and the Daihatsu Tanto Funcross to contend with. But with its unique blend of style, practicality, and a dash of fun, the Spacia Gear is ready to take a big bite out of the Kei car market.
Suzuki Spacia Gear – it’s small enough to squeeze into tight parking spots yet rugged enough to handle a bit of off-road fun. Can you imagine that on our roads? Two of those dinky boxes parked back-to-back are about as long as the Shelby F-150, and they barely reach the F-150’s mirrors. Comical? Sure. Cute? You bet. Would you want one? Now, that question opens all kinds of cans full of worms. Trip to Japan, anyone?
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