Suzuki Vitara Review

The Suzuki Vitara has been part of the company’s range since the late 1980s, although the current model is very different from the compact off-roaders that first carried the name.

This generation arrived in 2015 as a lightweight small SUV designed primarily for road use, while retaining the option of Suzuki’s ALLGRIP four-wheel-drive system.

It has been updated several times since then. A 2019 facelift brought revised styling, improved interior materials and a new selection of turbocharged petrol engines. Mild-hybrid technology followed in 2020, while a full-hybrid version joined the range in 2022.

The most recent update introduced a redesigned front end, improved infotainment and additional safety equipment. Suzuki has since simplified the current UK range around the 1.4-litre Boosterjet mild-hybrid engine.

That engine is available with either a six-speed manual or six-speed automatic gearbox. Manual versions produce 129PS, while the automatic has a lower 109PS output.

Front-wheel drive is standard, with ALLGRIP available on selected Ultra models.

The Vitara is now one of the older designs in the small SUV class, and this is obvious in the cabin, where its dashboard, instruments and plastics lack the sophistication of newer rivals such as the Hyundai Kona and Renault Captur. Its age also brings some benefits, because the controls are simple, the compact body is easy to place and the car has developed a strong reputation for reliability.

Suzuki’s low vehicle weight helps the Vitara deliver useful performance and respectable economy without needing a particularly powerful engine.

Its four-wheel-drive option remains unusual in this part of the market, because most small SUVs are front-wheel drive regardless of their rugged appearance. The Vitara’s ALLGRIP system can send power to the rear wheels when additional traction is required, making it useful on wet grass, muddy tracks, snow-covered roads and slippery inclines.

It will not replace a dedicated off-roader, but it offers more all-weather ability than most similarly priced rivals.

The electric e Vitara uses a different platform, cabin and powertrain and is covered separately.

The Suzuki Vitara 1.4 Boosterjet Mild Hybrid Motion manual is the best all-round version.

Motion already includes adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitoring, keyless entry, a reversing camera, rear parking sensors and a nine-inch infotainment screen.

The 129PS manual engine is also stronger and more economical than the 109PS automatic, while its six-speed gearbox has a light and straightforward action.

Ultra adds a panoramic sunroof, suede-effect seat trim, polished alloy wheels, front parking sensors and power-folding mirrors.

Those additions make the cabin feel more inviting, but they do not fundamentally improve the way the Vitara drives or expand its practicality.

ALLGRIP is worth considering for buyers who regularly use slippery rural roads, tow a small trailer or need to cross muddy fields. Most drivers will be better served by the cheaper and more economical front-wheel-drive model.

The Suzuki Vitara has a list price of approximately £27,299 for the Motion manual.

Ultra manual models cost around £28,999, while adding ALLGRIP increases the price to approximately £30,799.

The Motion automatic is priced at around £28,899, with the Ultra automatic at approximately £30,599. An Ultra automatic with ALLGRIP sits at the top of the range at around £32,399.

The Dacia Duster offers more space, stronger off-road ability and excellent value. Its interior feels equally utilitarian, while some versions are less refined than the Suzuki.

The Skoda Kamiq has a more sophisticated cabin, a larger boot and greater refinement. It is not available with four-wheel drive.

The Renault Captur feels more modern inside and has a sliding rear bench that improves flexibility. Its controls and infotainment are less straightforward.

The Nissan Juke has distinctive styling and a more contemporary cabin. Rear visibility and passenger space are less generous.

The Toyota Yaris Cross is more economical in town and has a full-hybrid powertrain. It is more expensive and can become noisy under acceleration.

The Ford Puma is more enjoyable to drive and has a larger, cleverer boot. It lacks the Vitara’s four-wheel-drive option.

Capable of swallowing up to 362-litres of luggage, the Vitara's boot isn't as big as alternatives, but 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. so you get a small-ish 642-litres of space. Thanks to the Vitara's fairly boxy dimensions there is, however, lots of usable space when the seats dropped. There are handy touches like plastic guides for the Isofix mounts - useful if you're fitting a child seat.

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

The Suzuki Vitara measures 4,175mm long, 1,775mm wide & 1,600mm high.

It is shorter than many current small SUVs and feels compact on narrow roads. The light steering and tight turning circle also make it easy to manoeuvre in town.

Every current version has rear parking sensors and a reversing camera, while Ultra adds front sensors.

No Suzuki Vitara buyer should feel hard-done-by when it comes to on-board infotainment. Even the entry-level Suzuki Vitara SZ4 came with 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.

Suzuki Vitara 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. All SZ5s also have a reverse-parking camera, which was added s standard to the SZ-T trim from early 2022 onwards.

Fast forward to the current line-up and all Vitaras have a 9.0-inch infotainment touchscreen incorporated into the dash. It comes with DAB radio, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, sat-nav, and USB connectors. The Motion has four speakers, while the Ultra gains a pair of tweeters for improved sound quality.

The Vitara feels robust rather than luxurious, with a soft-touch section across the upper dashboard helping to offset the hard plastics used across the doors, centre console and lower dashboard.

Those materials look and feel less sophisticated than those in many newer rivals, although some owners may appreciate the durable, easily cleaned finish, particularly when the car is used for outdoor activities or family duties.

The switches are logically arranged and operate with a solid action, while the dashboard generally feels securely assembled.

The original Vitara range used 1.6-litre petrol and diesel engines with 120PS, with an automatic available on the petrol. The more interesting option arrived soon after in the Vitara S, which used Suzuki’s 1.4 BoosterJet petrol with 140PS and gave the car much stronger performance.

The 2019 facelift dropped the 1.6-litre engines and introduced a 111PS 1.0 BoosterJet. Despite its modest output, this three-cylinder turbo feels lively in everyday driving and remains a sound used choice. Allgrip four-wheel-drive models also add useful extra traction for poor weather and light off-road use.

In 2020, Suzuki added a 48V mild-hybrid version of the 1.4 BoosterJet, combining petrol power with electrical assistance to improve efficiency and low-speed response.

A 1.5-litre full hybrid followed in 2022. It cannot travel far on electric power alone, but it improves economy and emissions and comes with Suzuki’s six-speed AGS automated manual gearbox.

The Suzuki Vitara is better to drive than you might expect. It is not especially sporty, but the steering is responsive, grip is reassuring and the suspension deals well with rough roads. There is some body roll in corners, although it never feels unruly, and even the firmer Vitara S remains comfortable.

The hybrid versions do little to upset that balance. The 48V mild-hybrid system adds only a small amount of weight, while the later 1.5 Full Hybrid also feels much like the regular petrol car from behind the wheel. In everyday driving, the Vitara remains easy-going, composed and comfortable regardless of which powertrain you choose.

The Suzuki Vitara received five stars from Euro NCAP when tested in 2015.

That result was awarded under a much older assessment protocol and should not be compared directly with the rating of a newly tested SUV.

Suzuki has added more active safety technology during the model’s life, and current versions include autonomous emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, lane-departure warning and lane-keeping assistance.

Blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, traffic-sign recognition and driver monitoring are also standard.

The latest safety package is comprehensive for the price, although the age of the original crash structure remains worth considering beside much newer rivals.

The manual front-wheel-drive Vitara returns up to 52.3mpg, making it the most economical current version.

Adding ALLGRIP reduces economy slightly, while the lower-powered automatic returns approximately 49.7mpg with front-wheel drive and 47.8mpg with four-wheel drive.

These are competitive rather than exceptional figures.

A full-hybrid Toyota Yaris Cross or Renault Captur E-Tech will generally use less fuel in urban traffic, where their electric motors can do more of the work.

The Vitara’s figures tend to be achievable in ordinary driving because its low weight reduces the load on the engine.

Expect results in the mid to high 40s during mixed use, with motorway speeds and four-wheel drive bringing a small penalty.

The standard manufacturer warranty covers three years or 60,000 miles, after which Suzuki’s service-activated warranty can renew cover following each qualifying dealer service until the car reaches 10 years old or 100,000 miles.

This provides competitive long-term protection, although owners must continue using participating Suzuki dealers and follow the servicing conditions.

Used buyers should check whether a car qualifies and confirm its service history.

Current Vitara models sit broadly between insurance groups 17 and 19, with front-wheel-drive manual versions generally at the lower end and automatic or ALLGRIP models towards the top.

Older Vitaras span a wider range of approximately 11 to 23, depending on engine, trim and drivetrain.

Vitaras registered from 1 April 2017 pay the standard annual Vehicle Excise Duty rate of £200 from the second licence.

Current models cost less than £40,000, so the Expensive Car Supplement does not apply.

Earlier cars registered before April 2017 use the previous emissions-based tax system, meaning annual rates vary by engine and registration date.