Suzuki Vitara Review

The Vitara is Suzuki’s DNA in metal form: it’s well equipped, well engineered and has go-anywhere credentials. Even in a crowded market with some excellent alternatives, Vitara makes a great case for itself. If you need your crossover to be me capable than not, this will probably edge it over the other options on sale. But it’s more than just a capable set of wheels, the boot is a great size and easy to access. Flip down the seats and you have a large load area too - perfect for family life.

Models from 2020 add a mild hybrid system. While this is a substantial upgrade for Vitara, don’t get it confused with something like a Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV. The Suzuki hybrid charges itself by harvesting otherwise wasted energy - you don’t plug this hybrid in and as a result don’t expect to go far on battery power at all. This hybrid is all about making the petrol engine more efficient.

Most buyers opt for the two-wheel-drive version, however, which feels like a Swift-on-stilts (in a good way). It will grip and grip, although there's obviously more roll than the hatch due to the higher centre of gravity. Various engines have been available since it was launched, but the 1.0-litre turbocharged BoosterJet petrol, launched when the Vitara was facelifted for 2019, is our choice, thanks to smooth yet strong performance and little noise.

Even the entry-level SZ4 gets air conditioning, cruise control, a DAB radio, electric windows, front foglights, USB and Bluetooth connectivity and 16-inch alloy wheels, a surprisingly well-specced entry-level model. Higher up the range, the pick is the SZ-R with integrated satnav and media system.

Buyers of small SUVs and crossovers are spoilt for choice. If you’re after something a bit older, you’ve got the Skoda Yeti, Ford EcoSport and Kia Soul, while new and nearly-new buyers can consider the SEAT Arona, Skoda Kamiq and Volkswagen T-Cross, offering popular SUV style at hatchback prices. 

Then there’s Nissan Juke, Peugeot 2008, Renault Captur and Toyota C-HR, although the Citroen C3 Aircross, and Hyundai Kona. All very good cars and all worth considering. The Dacia Duster is the value proposition, undercutting all of the above, even in top-spec form. If you want something with more of an off-road look, the Jeep Renegade is worth a look.

The interior feels well engineered and solid, though the doors and tailgate can sound a little tinny and some of the interior plastics lack the finesse of other crossovers. but, some buyers will appreciate that utilitarian feel. Quality improved following the 2019 facelift, with the introduction of some soft-touch plastics to the top of the dashboard and a smarter-looking instrument cluster. 

Vitara has been the subject of just a handful of recalls, a small number for a car of this sort. The first one was for unintended braking, where the car might brake unnecessarily in certain situations and the other was for rear axle bolts. There was an issue with the rear axle bolts, as they were mixed at the factory with bolts that have no anti-friction coating, making it possible for the axle bolts to work loose on some cars.

No Suzuki Vitara buyer should feel hard-done-by when it comes to on-bard infotainment. Even the entry-level SZ4 trim gets DAB radio, USB port and Bluetooth connectivity. It’s also the trim to go for if you must have a CD player - the simpler set up (compared to models higher up the range) means that it’s the only trim that gets one. All other trims rely on phone/USB connectivity, as is becoming the norm.

SZ-T and SZ5 trim levels get a full touchscreen infotainment system. That means integrated sat nav and Smartphone Link, which enables you to mirror a simplified version of your Apple or Android smartphone onto the screen. The system lags behind what you can get from other manufacturers, as it can be a little slow to respond and a bit on the fiddly side. These models also get a reverse-parking camera, though only SZ5 adds front and rear reversing sensors.

Practicality is one area where the Vitara really shines. The boot is one of the biggest in its class, and it's easily accessed (although obviously higher than an estate or hatchback). There's a bag hook and an auxiliary socket in the load area, while underfloor storage could come in handy.

If you wish to drop the rear seats to create extra room, they don't fold entirely flat. Thanks to the Vitara's fairly boxy dimensions there is, however, plenty of space when the seats dropped. There are handy touches like plastic guides for the Isofix mounts - useful if you're fitting a child seat.

The useful underfloor storage area is perfect for storing valuables and loose items. There are two storage pockets in the boot too.

The original engine line-up included a 1.6-litre petrol and diesel engine, both with 120PS, which provide adequate if not sparkling performance. The petrol was also available with an automatic gearbox.

Shortly after, the Vitara S was launched which is powered by Suzuki's excellent 1.4-litre BoosterJet engine with 140PS and a six-speed manual gearbox. It gives the Vitara a real turn of pace and makes it genuinely fun to drive - not something we'd expect from a Vitara.

When the Vitara was facelifted in 2019, Suzuki dropped the 1.6-litre engines (not replacing the diesel) and introduced the 1.0 BoosterJet engine. For us, this is by far the best engine choice. It belies its small size and despite only having 111PS, feels much quicker in everyday driving.

It's a three-cylinder engine, so has that nice low down torque, yet at speed it's quiet and smooth. The only downside is that it's a five-speed rather than a six, but even at motorway speeds, it's quiet and doesn't feel strained. 

Opt for the four-wheel-drive Allgrip model and you can flick between four driving modes. Leave it in automatic (which we think is the best mode) and it will run in front wheel drive before the rear wheels kick-in when required.

While the Vitara isn't an outright mud plugger, it's more capable off-road than most of its rivals. Muddy fields pose no issue for the Suzuki, while Hill Descent Control will take some of the fear out of steep decline.

A big step-change arrived in 2020 with the addition of a 48-volt mild hybrid model, based on the 1.4-litre Boosterjet. Similar in basic principle to the 12V Hybrid system that Suzuki introduced in 2016 on smaller models, the newly developed 48V Hybrid Powertrain remains very lightweight in design and the components add less than 15kg to the overall weight of the vehicle.

The Suzuki SHVS (Smart Hybrid Vehicle by Suzuki) system consists of a 48V lithium-ion battery, Integrated Starter Generator (known as ISG) and 48V-12V (DC/DC) converter to power components requiring lower voltage including lights, audio and air conditioning. The ISG acts as both a generator and starter motor, is belt driven and assists the petrol engine during vehicle take off for a higher level of torque with 235Nm available from 2,000rpm.

The compact lithium-ion battery stores electrical energy recovered from deceleration and braking and incorporates an idle stop function operated via the Integrated Starter Generator. This battery, along with the DC/DC convertor unit, are located under the front seats to assist overall weight distribution.

A further benefit of the new 48V Hybrid system is the introduction of electric motor idling when the clutch is disengaged and the engine speed is approximately 1,000rpm. This feature essentially replaces fuel injection with power from the electric motor to then control and maintain engine idling at vehicle speeds below 10mph and when stationary.

All of Vitara’s engines are smooth, though can lack a little refinement under heavy acceleration - for example if you’re overtaking on an A-road and need to drop down a gear. All models suffer from a bit of wind and road noise, too, especially at motorway speeds. 

The Vitara has up-to-date safety equipment including active systems like adaptive cruise control and automatic braking, as well as a high level of passive safety specification thanks to lightweight but strong bodywork. It scored five stars when it was crash tested by Euro NCAP in 2015.

All Vitaras come with a can of puncture repair foam and a compressor instead of a spacesaver or full-size spare wheel. For those who want the peace of mind of a full-size spare for the Vitara, the well in which the spare sits is large enough to house one, which isn’t always the case on models from other manufacturers.

Suzuki Vitara insurance costs are pretty reasonable compared to similar cars. It depends on your own personal circumstances, of course, but Vitara falls between groups 13 for more affordable versions of the 1.6-litre petrol and 19 for the 1.4-litre S.  Basic versions of the Vitara's Nissan Juke rival start in a lower group 10, while the least powerful Renault Captur starts in group 9.

Road tax for a Suzuki Vitara falls into the old system (based on CO2) and the newer system (flat rate). For those cars registered before April 2017, it’s possible to pay just £20 in annual VED, whereas the flat rate is considerably higher. You’ll be looking at in excess of £145 a year to tax, after a CO2-weighted year-one payment in the on-the-road price.

With Vitara, you have a choice of SZ4, SZ-T, SZ5 and sporty S trim levels, but all are well equipped. SZ4 has 16-inch alloy wheels, silver roof rails, a chrome front grille and side trim, DAB radio, a CD player, Bluetooth, steering wheel audio controls, a 60:40 folding rear seat, automatic air conditioning, halogen headlights, LED daytime running lights, fabric seats, stop/start, cruise control with speed limiter, electric front and rear windows and two ISOFIX points. 

SZ-T adds 17-inch alloy wheels (dark silver finish), a seven-inch infotainment system including navigation and a rear parking camera. 

SZ5 includes 17-inch alloy wheels (polished finish), electrically folding door mirrors, rain sensing windscreen wipers, automatic headlights, LED headlights with automatic levelling, suede seats, an analogue clock, adaptive cruise control, front and rear parking sensors, keyless entry and start, radar brake support with emergency brake signal. Vitara S comes with 17-inch alloy wheels (black finish), rear privacy glass, black fog light bezels and body side mouldings, aluminium pedals, red stitch interior accents, ALLGRIP four-wheel-drive and hill descent control. 

In 2019, Vitara saw a light-touch facelift with various design updates, two new colours and the availability of new technology and advanced safety equipment. 

For the exterior, new design alloy wheels were available, there’s a redesigned front grille and lower bumper and the rear of the car features new design and distinctive LED combination lamps. For the interior, the upper instrument panel now incorporates a soft touch material for added quality and the instrument cluster has a new design with colour central information display.