MICRO hatchbacks might be miniscule business in Australia, but Suzuki is a master of the craft.

Having dropped the older Celerio from its line-up, the new Ignis joins the equally new Baleno and even-newer Swift in all being available in showrooms from under $20,000 driveaway. It is simply a force-by-numbers approach to stealing more of a diminished sales pie.

Suzuki will technically classify the Ignis as a small SUV, but it is best described as a slightly raised and mildly inflated micro hatchback. The pricing reflects that, too, with this entry GL automatic priced from $16,990 plus on-road costs, or $17,990 driveaway – just $1000 pricier than the manual.

Here, the Ignis GL must compete with high-specification micro hatchbacks and lower-end light hatchbacks … even within its own Suzuki stable.