Suzuki introduced the APV in 2004 as a solution for cramped urban areas. It was built in various versions, including a pick-up, a panel van, and a passenger car.
Deemed as one of the biggest carmakers for small vehicles, Suzuki understood that the Sout-Eastern side of Asia needs more small, affordable cars. So in Indonesia, the Japanese carmaker produced the vehicle at its plant in Bekasi, West Java, and made it available in more than 100 countries worldwide in emerging markets.
In terms of maximizing space, it was hard to compete against the APV. Suzuki took the kei-car concept from Japan and translated it into larger, yet still small-sized, vehicles. Thus, the APV was high but short and narrow. At the front, the rectangular headlights were placed way above a tall bumper to be protected from minor bumps. They sat even above the grille, which sported a couple of slats. The car featured a short, sloped hood, followed by a not-so-raked windshield. On the sides, the carmaker made the door panels, fenders, and windows flat and vertical, so the car ended up with a spacious cabin. At the back, Suzuki placed a straight-up tailgate to access the trunk.
Inside, the four-door vehicle offered high-mounted seats. Thus, despite the short wheelbase, the APV offered enough room for up to six passengers. In terms of interior design, the APV featured cheap plastic materials for the dashboard, door cards, and center console. But it served the purpose and was a very affordable people carrier.
Under the hood, the APV got a choice of two engines, depending on the market. Both versions were mated to a five-speed manual that sent its power to the rear wheels.
