Second-generation Mazda Flair Crossover

Looking for a second-generation Suzuki Hustler but stuck at the Mazda dealership? You've come in the right place because Mazda managed to borrow the second-generation Suzuki Hustler for their all-new Flair Crossover, which starts at 1,365,100 Japanese yen plus additional costs.

By the looks of it, the front and the rearview look pretty much the same as the previous model it replaces but look closely on the side and you can spot an extra window on it, meaning that it really is a new model and not a minor change whatsoever.

On the interior, the dashboard has three circles on it and that's something the folks from Mini should learn from it while making their next model but enough encouragement because while the new three-ringed dashboard adds a nice touch to the Hustler's new interior, it really fits through any kind of lifestyle they see fit. It can be a four-seater, a two-seater with the rear seats folded, and a nice little sleeper in case you forgot to bring a tent for the camping trip to the woods.

Running on a HEARTECT platform, the new Flair Crossover promises to be more lively to drive, safer, and more efficient than the previous model and they really mean it as demonstrated by its 4.6m turning radius. City car handling aside, the Hustler's optional 4WD system comes with Grip Control, Snow Mode, and Hill Descent Control, making it capable of getting itself dirty while taking shortcuts in case of traffic jams, which will make you look like a sweet potato when they see you taking it offroad online.

The new Flair Crossover is powered by a new 660cc R06D engine with mild hybrid technology, Eco Cool, and idling stop, and when mated to a CVT, it delivers a 25kmpl fuel economy based on WLTP standards for front-wheel-drive variants. On the turbo variants with the 660cc R06A turbo engine with the same fuel-efficient tech mentioned above, it returns with a 22.6kmpl fuel economy.

In the interest of safety, the new Flair Crossover comes with a suite of driver aids, which makes this kei crossover a certified Safety Support Car S rating.

Feel free to enjoy the Mazda version of the second-generation Suzuki Hustler any time you like.

Photo: Mazda Motor Corporation

Second-Generation Suzuki Hustler

Since 2013, Suzuki made an oddball kei crossover called the Hustler and it's hard to describe why the mini-me Toyota FJ Cruiser became a hit among young outdoorsy people across Japan. With the arrival of the second-generation model, expect big things to come on the all-new Suzuki Hustler.

2020 Suzuki Hustler

This is the all-new Suzuki Hustler, the second generation model, and it's yours for 1,280,400 (around $13,000) which is rather cheaper to own than its big brother, the Ignis, but before you get your hands on this nearly affordable kei crossover that loves to poke fun against the Daihatsu Cast Activa, let's observe a little about how much has changed since the previous model.

2020 Suzuki Hustler

By the looks of it, the front and the rearview look pretty much the same as the previous model it replaces but look closely on the side and you can spot an extra window on it, meaning that it really is a new model and not a minor change whatsoever.

2020 Suzuki Hustler interior

Speaking of all-new, have you noticed the new Hustler's interior? The dashboard has three circles on it and that's something the folks from Mini should learn from it while making their next model but enough encouragement because while the new three-ringed dashboard adds a nice touch to the Hustler's new interior, it really fits through any kind of lifestyle they see fit. It can be a four-seater, a two-seater with the rear seats folded, and a nice little sleeper in case you forgot to bring a tent for the camping trip to the woods. It's all about utility in such a little car and you can give credit to Suzuki for that.

2020 Suzuki Hustler

Running on a HEARTECT platform, the new Hustler promises to be more lively to drive, safer, and more efficient than the previous model and they really mean it as demonstrated by its 4.6m turning radius. City car handling aside, the Hustler's optional 4WD system comes with Grip Control, Snow Mode, and Hill Descent Control, making it capable of getting itself dirty while taking shortcuts in case of traffic jams, which will make you look like a sweet potato when they see you taking it offroad online.

The Hustler is powered by a new 660cc R06D engine with mild hybrid technology, Eco Cool, and idling stop, and when mated to a CVT, it delivers a 25kmpl fuel economy based on WLTP standards for front-wheel-drive variants. On the turbo variants with the 660cc R06A turbo engine with the same fuel-efficient tech mentioned above, it returns with a 22.6kmpl fuel economy.

In the interest of safety, the new Hustler comes with the Suzuki Safety Support suite of driver aids, which makes this kei crossover a certified Safety Support Car S rating.

The second-generation Hustler may look the same as the previous generation model it replaces but this all-new model really ticks the right boxes of what a city car should and by taking it on the dirt course, this baby elephant knows how to roll in style and substance no doubt. Well done, Suzuki.

Photo: Suzuki Motor Corporation

Mazda Flair Crossover

2014 Mazda Flair Crossover

With the arrival of Suzuki's kei-crossover, the Hustler, it looks like Mazda wanted one of these so with Suzuki's permission, Mazda decided to sell one of these at their dealerships under the Flair Crossover name, the third installment of the Mazda Flair kei cars ranging from the Alto-based Flair and the Spacia-based Flair Wagon.

Time now for the 47 second science please to tell you what's what about the Flair Crossover. Ahem...

Like the Hustler, the Flair Crossover still caries a peculiar look that looks like it came from the Daihatsu Mira Cocoa. On the inside, this kei crossover still has all the right buttons and the optionals such as a smartphone-integrated sat-nav.

On the performance side,  it features the same 660cc engine complete with SUZUKI GREEN TECHNOLOGY in the form of ENE-CHARGE and ECO-COOL respectively. Combine these fuel-efficient technologies with the CVT and you'll get 29.2kmpl as calculated by JC08 Mode standards. That's not all, you can have a model with a 5-speed manual, or a turbocharged model mated to a CVT gearbox, whichever floats your boat.

Available colors: Passion Orange White 2 Tone Roof, Summer Blue Metallic White 2 Tone Roof, Phoenix Red Pearl Black 2 Tone Roof, Steel Silver Metallic Black 2 Tone Roof, Cool Khaki Pearl Metallic, Urban Brown Pearl Metallic, Pearl White, and Bluish Black Pearl 3.

This super light crossover from Mazda is priced at 1,285,000 Japanese Yen.

Suzuki Hustler

Crossovers are becoming hugely popular worldwide even for caravanners who are taking on a holiday. Even though they look tough on the outside, they behave like sissies because they have no off-road capabilities that large SUVs do, well some can. Crossovers like the Tiguan, the CX-5, the Forester, the Korando, the Captur, the Koleos, there are so many crossovers all over the place but why would the motoring industry keep on making those? To add to that problem, Suzuki's making a new spin on a crossover category in a form of a kei car...

2014 Suzuki Hustler

This is the first ever kei-crossover from Suzuki, the leader of fuel-efficient kei cars in Japan, and it's called the Hustler. Quite weird to call it the Hustler, eh? Does it do the hustle like the song Do The Hustle? Eh...nope. Not quite.

But first...remember the Daihatsu Terios Kid? 15 years ago, this kei car was made to go offroad but for me, it's not quite being tested for off-road enthusiasts many because it's too small and kei cars aren't made for the job. Well, you can take it on the gravel and the snow but on the rocks, that's a big no for me. Even though it's a small kei off-roader, it's still fit for the holidays. Sadly though the Daihatsu Terios Kid is gone. It was discontinued last year because of numerous theories like its age or its poor sales.

Anyway, let's move on to the Suzuki's so-called kei-crossover known as the Hustler. Does this new kei-car really remind me of the late Terios Kid?

2014 Suzuki Hustler

Well at first glance, the Hustler may have a manly name but its design wasn't quite toughie because just look at it. It feels like the Toyota FJ Cruiser has been shrunken down to bite-sized chunks and I mean look at it, there's some bits from the Daihatsu Mira Cocoa! Eh? A Suzuki wearing some of the Daihatsu's exterior parts?! Yes, really! Look at the headlamps, don't they look familiar?

Well, whatever you do, don't even laugh at this baby crossover sold only for the Japanese market but in the meantime, I'm starting to laugh now. This kei-crossover is too humorous for me! It's like manliness and girliness all wrapped up into one! Oh dear! Anyway, enough laughing for me now. I still get all in a good mood for this curiosity. Anyway, what's on the performance side?

2014 Suzuki Hustler

For a compact packaging, the Hustler's no fool to me. It still behaves like a proper kei car even though it's a crossover in its own right. If you're a daily driver, the Hustler still knows the value of fuel efficiency because it features the same 660cc engine complete with SUZUKI GREEN TECHNOLOGY in the form of ENE-CHARGE and ECO-COOL respectively. Combine these fuel-efficient technologies with the CVT and you'll get 29.2kmpl as calculated by JC08 Mode standards. All seems to be fine but is there some way to enjoy the Hustler? How about the 5-speed manual gearbox? Please note, having a kei-crossover with a manual gearbox can be a bit too corny for me especially when it comes with the turbocharged 660cc engine, again, with SUZUKI GREEN TECHNOLOGY.

A turbocharged engine mated with a 5-speed manual gearbox? Sounds fun to me but if you want a little fun with the Hustler using that configuration, try something more of a big space. How about an abandoned construction lot or a deserted warehouse? That's going to be more fun if you try to mess around with the Hustler.

2014 Suzuki Hustler interior

Aside from making a lot of trouble in deserted areas, the Hustler is still a compact made for the holidays. I know, it's still made for people spending their weekends on the beach or in the mountains or camping or whatever outdoorsmen would do. On the inside, it's still roomy and space for about four people. Not quite a family car but it's still a good car if you want to take your mates out on your day off. Depending on the color variation, the dashboard and the seat lining matches the exterior color regardless of which color you chose.

Also, you can also have an option of a smartphone-integrated sat-nav complete with a rear-view camera on it just to add conveniences while driving a Hustler.

The speedometer kinda took the idea from the girls-only Alto Lapin because why? The speedo comes with some animation in the bottom. They put this just to make it look cute for the Hustler and it has four different animations such as HELLO!!, GO!, I'm READY, and GATE. I could imagine if that little green video game machine could be in that car making some cutesy stuff but no way. This is the real world and four cutesy animation stuff on the Hustler's speedo makes me...bored and annoyed.

So, what's the verdict? It depends on what people react on the Hustler but in case you're looking for the answer to my original question above, I'm afraid that's a terrible no because even though it's made for the weekends, the new Hustler will never going to make the grade similar to the late Daihatsu Terios Kid. It maybe deceased last year but I would rather go for it rather than the Hustler because...it's a bit too cutesy for its tough image. You know what I mean? But as a daily driver's car, the Hustler is not that bad after all even though its fuel economy surpassed the normal Spacia's by about 0.2kmpl.

The Hustler maybe a bit too cutie-patootie for it's image but it's still a likable car. It still has lots of character on it and it's more affordable than any other crossovers because the base model starts at around ¥1,048,950 respectively.

Available colors: Passion Orange White 2 Tone Roof, Summer Blue Metallic White 2 Tone Roof, Candy Pink Metallic White 2 Tone Roof, Phoenix Red Pearl Black 2 Tone Roof, Pearl White Black 2 Tone Roof, Steel Silver Metallic Black 2 Tone Roof, Cool Khaki Pearl Metallic, Urban Brown Pearl Metallic, Pearl White, and Bluish Black Pearl 3.

Photo: Suzuki Motor Corporation