So it’s like the Super Carry, just as a panelvan instead, right? Actually, Suzuki affirms that their latest offering; the Eeco, is a step up from its other utilitarian counterpart. We loaded some charitable supplies in its bay and took to the Drakensberg to find out if that was the case.
As automotive journalists, we are fortunate enough to drive many creations with wheels and powertrains affixed in between. Within this spectrum are cheap hatchbacks ranging all the way to presidential limousine-like sedans but occasionally there is a four-wheeled machine that lines these ranks as an outlier. South Africa, meet Suzuki’s latest utilitarian offering, one that wouldn’t normally get much attention from media considering they are often silently added into the local lineup without the extravagance of a launch.
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On this occasion, Suzuki South Africa wanted to not only demonstrate what the Ecco was all about but also show their charitable side. Like many automakers, Suzuki is committed to local upliftment and the development of impoverished communities. With six brand-new Eeco panel vans, we left from O.R. Tambo international airport with the cargo bay modestly loaded. Winter looming, necessities brimmed the containers, waiting to meet their grateful end users – more on this in a future article.
Truth be told, hitting the highway in the majority of Suzuki’s fun-sized lineup isn’t where they excel. With frugal city slicking in mind, the Ecco is no different from its Maruti-made counterparts but the journey to our destination was lined with national highways and open roads. How would this narrow and tall compact van hold up while sipping on its 40-litre fuel tank?
The good news is, the Ecco can just propel itself up to the national speed limit with a pinch of oomph to spare – business owners dealing with frustrating speed fines take note! Naturally, road and wind noise are harsh anywhere above 80 km/h which is realistically the upper end of day-to-day courier driving in urban hubs for small businesses that the Ecco will be subject to. Most of the noise is a result of minimal insulation and the odd kei-car wedge shape. Speaking of wind, fast-moving SUVs performing overtaking manoeuvres would obtrusively send the Ecco in a wake, as would trucks heading in the opposite direction – the narrow, small wheels requiring more input than usual from the vague steering as a result. This, however, is all expected from the modest Japanese creation.
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Remaining in the cabin, by modern standards, very little is included but then again its utilitarian intentions remind us that this is essential to keep its retail price low. A banknote under the R200 000 mark is where it finds itself, handsomely placed against some chief competition, but more on that later. The steering column is fixed and it’s upward-facing positioning as well as the ergonomics allude to that of a lorry and rightly so for manoeuvres not aided by power steering. The front seats are both reclinable, restricted only by the removable mesh metalwork behind it. The driver’s seat however is the only one that is adjustable forwards and backwards while the passenger seat is foldable to gain a closer look into the longitudinally mounted engine which sits right beneath the row of seats.
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Powering the light delivery van is a K12N motor. In traditional Suzuki fashion, this denotes a 1,2-litre inline-four naturally aspirated motor which is mated exclusively to a 5-speed manual transmission. Total outputs are modest at 59 kW and 104 N.m, the former achieved at 6 000 r/min meaning keeping up with the national highway speed limit required using the entire rev range in fourth gear on uphills. Everywhere else, the motor manages sufficiently well, even with some weight above the rear axle. All power is sent to the rear wheels while above is a surprisingly sizable load bay. The Ecco can hold a total weight of 615 kg in its cavernous 540-litre cargo cavity, easily accessed from the sides courtesy of sliding doors and a conventional rear tailgate.
The front bonnet then serves purely as easy access to liquid overflow tanks and a bit of legroom, not much space to stretch the legs in the passenger seat however since the front wheel wells are directly in front of the cabin. 
So, it seems as utilitarian but where then does it differ from the Super Carry? In terms of carrying capacity, the open-top counterpart trumps the Ecco with a maximum load capacity of 750 kg, it does however not include basic niceties like a fan, air conditioner or battery-saver lamp. The Ecco also includes reverse parking sensors in the scenario that the large rear glass expanse is blocked by cargo. As standard, some key specifications of Suzuki’s newest member are dual front airbags, ABS, EBD and ESP. Traction control is selectable via a panel adjacent to the steering wheel, one which also includes headlight adjustment for heavier loads, another feature that the Super Carry does not include.
Despite these creature comforts, some may have noted above that the Ecco also does not include power steering, which for the most part is only noticeable during initial use. A bit more effort is required to navigate tight spaces however the heavier the load in the rear, the lighter the front and thus the easier to use. The decision, was presumably to keep the price and running costs low which is the most important aspect small business owners will have when shopping for their next cargo hauler. While Suzuki South Africa is unaware of where the Eeco name is derived, they believe the initial part signifies its Extreme Economy and with 5,4 L/100 km claimed, it is wholly justified. 
This is chief to understanding the purpose of the Eeco, unlike any other commuter car that we get the opportunity to test. The above paragraphs include countless flaws by passenger car standards but that doesn’t change the fact that this will serve its segment as a competitive offering and equally as equipped as its rivals. One that is over R20 000 cheaper than converted models like the Renault Triber Express and Hyundai Grand i10 Cargo.
So, not a Super Carry and a worthy adversary for entry-level commercial offerings.
Suzuki Eeco Fast Facts
Price: R199 900 (including VAT which is claimable as a business expense)
Engine: mid-mounted, 1,2-litre, inline-four naturally-aspirated
Transmission: 5-speed manual
Power: 59 kW @ 6 000 r/min
Torque: 104 N.m @ 3 000 r/min
Driven wheels: Rear
0-100 km/h: n/a
Top speed: n/a
Fuel consumption: 5,4 L/100 km (claimed)
Rivals: Nissan NP200, Renault Triber Express, Hyundai Grand i10 Cargo
