New Suzuki Vitara: better quality, more equipment and goodbye to diesel

We test the new Suzuki Vitara range which, among many other changes, has as its main protagonist the 1.0 Boosterjet petrol engine with 111 CV, especially now that diesel versions are no longer offered.

Up to 20 rivals are mentioned Suzuki when talking about the rivals of the Suzuki Vitara. A model that has been updated with styling changes, improvements in equipment and engines, but which still offers a plus of differentiation that is very hard to find among the SUB of the B-segment: cars genuinely capable of going off tarmac when things get tough.

And the twenty or so models that already make up the compact SUV offer shrink to barely half if we look for those offering four-wheel drive 4×4. But once again the Suzuki Vitara stands apart here: except in the case of the Dacia Duster, in the rest the all-wheel-drive versions are associated with powerful variants with a sportier focus than off-road, or are only available with the top trims.

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In short: if you want an SUV in this category that can really leave the tarmac behind, beyond tracks and paths in good condition, yet still meets everyday needs for comfort and versatility like any other, and without a high budget, your options come down to two: the Dacia Duster, and this renewed Suzuki Vitara. If budget is no problem, don’t forget the Jeep Renegade.

And since we’re on the subject of the All Grip all-wheel drive system, it must be said that it works wonderfully in the Vitara. It has three driving modes, auto, sport and snow, plus the option to lock the split between both axles for tricky situations via the LOCK function, which disengages automatically above 60 km/h. With the available ground clearance and the additional help of hill descent control –which works even in neutral, something uncommon–, the Suzuki Vitara 4×4 is very well prepared for the more adventurous. All-wheel drive costs 2,100 euros more than the 4×2 versions in the case of the Vitara with the 1.0T engine (associated with the GLE trim), and 1,800 for the 1.4 Turbo (in this case with the GLX trim).

What changes on the Suzuki Vitara inside and out

We already previewed the main changes to the new Suzuki Vitara at the time, which we briefly review here. The front grille and bumpers are modified, with more chrome. LED front headlights and new alloy wheel designs also arrive. All the personalisation options already available are retained, including the option to combine different body and roof colours, as well as the Rugged and Urban exterior decoration packs.

Inside, the dashboard features softer-touch materials, and the seats receive newly designed upholstery. A new 4.2-inch colour LCD screen located in the centre of the instrument cluster provides the driver with average and instantaneous consumption information, graphics to help improve efficiency, or the mode selected for All Grip traction. For the GLX versions the 7-inch touchscreen with navigation is standard, and includes compatibility with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and MirrorLink.

The arrival of new safety systems not previously available is another interesting addition to the new Suzuki Vitara range. Among them, the lane change alert and assist, the traffic sign recognition system, blind-spot presence detection and rear traffic alert system stand out. In addition, the Vitara can be equipped with a predictive braking control system capable of recognising pedestrians, and adaptive cruise control.

Behind the wheel of the Suzuki Vitara 1.0: is three cylinders enough?

Suzuki definitively abandons diesel engines in the new Vitara range, and the mechanical offer is reduced to the Booster Jet petrol engines: the 3-cylinder 1.0T with 111 CV, and the 4-cylinder 1.4 with 140 CV. With the 1.0T, the Vitara claims a top speed of 180 km/h, 0 to 100 km/h acceleration in 11.5 seconds, and an official average consumption of 5.3 l/100 km. The figures for the 1.4T are, respectively, 200 km/h, 9.5 seconds and 5.8 l/100 km.

Regarding the more powerful one, we have little to add to what was said in the road test of the Suzuki Vitara 1.4 T we carried out before this model’s update. An engine among the best on the market in its displacement and power class, which moves the Vitara with such ease and refinement, and which serves equally well for relaxed driving or for having fun on a winding road. Let’s remember it is the same engine we tested in the Suzuki Swift Sport. It sounds wonderful, can be frugal for what it delivers, and is also offered with an optional automatic gearbox.

But the most interesting novelty in the range is the new 1.0 three-cylinder engine with 111 CV. And doubts quickly arise. Will it be enough engine for the Vitara? Can it be a fuel-efficient alternative to the diesel that disappears from the range? How does this engine compare with the more powerful 1.4?

A drive on motorway and country road, plus a short but difficult off-road route, let us put the Vitara 1.0 to the test. The result is convincing, although the performance gap with the 1.4 is striking. In the only trim where you can choose either engine, the GLE, the Vitara 1.4T costs just 1,200 euros more than the 1.0. And you get not only a more powerful engine that responds better in any situation, but also a 6-speed gearbox instead of 5; in real use the consumption difference should not be decisive enough to stop you choosing the more powerful engine, which will also be the mandatory choice if you want the top GLX trim, or the special Toro edition.

However, if you want to access a Suzuki Vitara on the tightest possible budget –especially with 4×4 traction–, are very concerned about consumption, or will drive mainly in town and suburbs, the new 1.0T works wonderfully. You will have to work the clutch and gearbox more, especially in some situations such as in town or driving across country when the car almost comes to a complete stop and you want to set off again without stopping to select first gear. But the engine is smooth, maintains cruising speeds well on long journeys, and settles for a real-world consumption of around 7.5 l/100 km.

Another advantage of the small three-cylinder is that it can also be combined with all-wheel drive and the automatic gearbox. In this case, if you are looking for a 4×4 Vitara, the 1.0 has the added advantage that it is offered with the GLE trim, whereas on the 1.4T the 4×4 traction is associated with the GLX trim, which pushes the price difference above 3,000 euros.

Range, equipment and prices of the new Suzuki Vitara

Ten versions are offered by Suzuki for the new Vitara, combining the two engines, the manual or automatic gearbox, 4×4 traction or the GL, GLE and GLX trims, plus the special Toro edition. The most powerful engine is not offered with the basic trim, nor the less powerful one with the two higher trims.

The GLE versions add to the basic GL trim 17-inch alloy wheels, air conditioning, speed limiter and cruise control, rear electric windows, heated seats, fog lights, 7″ touchscreen and chrome body details. The GLX add polished wheels, LED low beams, rain and light sensors, navigation, adaptive cruise control, keyless entry and parking sensors.

With the commercial discount in force of 1,300 euros applied to all versions, these are the prices of the entire Suzuki Vitara range.

Vitara 1.0 GL: 17,240 euros
Vitara 1.0 GLE: 19,140 euros
Vitara 1.0 GLE Auto: 20,640 euros
Vitara 1.0 GLE 4WD: 21,240 euros
Vitara 1.0 GLE 4WD Auto: 22,740 euros
Vitara 1.4 GLE: 20,340 euros
Vitara 1.4 GLX: 22,590 euros
Vitara 1.4 Toro: 23,605 euros
Vitara 1.4 GLX 4WD: 24,390 euros
Vitara 1.4 GLX 4WD Auto: 26,490 euros

Setting aside the entry version, if we focus on the Vitara 1.0 GLE, which would be the minimum we recommend, at a similar price –around 19,000 euros– the alternatives would be the Kia Stonic 1.0 T-Gdi Drive, the Hyundai Kona Klass with the same engine, the Seat Arona 1.0 TSI Style, the Peugeot 2008 1.2 Style, the Opel Crossland 1.2 Design Line, the Mitsubishi ASX 160 Motion and the Jeep Renegade 1.0 Limited.

Image gallery of the Suzuki Vitara

Technical specifications of this car

Off-RoadSuzuki Vitara11 versions · from 27,925 €