Review - Suzuki Vitara

While the platform hasn’t received much in the way of significant upgrades, it remains a top contender in the world of small SUVs, but has its competitors caught up and overtaken the Vitara?

Let’s take a closer look at the Vitara lineup and find out. 

Starting Price: $27,490

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Suzuki Vitara (TURBO) Specifications

For more details and other variants, check Suzuki Vitara car page.

How Much Does It Cost?

The Suzuki Vitara lineup kicks off from $27,490 for the entry-level Vitara 1.6 manual, while the Vitara 1.6 automatic is priced at $28,990. 

Stepping up to the Vitara Turbo comes at a cost of $33,990, while the range-topping Vitara Turbo 4WD is priced at $37,990. 

Keep in mind that these prices are subject to changes, and do not include on-road costs. 

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Using OnlineAuto’s car buying service, you could save by sourcing one of our car specialists to help you find the best value model for you. 

What Features Does the Suzuki Vitara Have?

The entry-level Suzuki Vitara 1.6 manual and automatic variants come riding on a set of 17-inch alloys, and receive keyless entry & start, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, climate control, a reversing camera and a 7.0-inch infotainment system with sat-nav, Android Auto and Apple CarPlay which is paired with a four-speaker sound system. 

Stepping up to the Vitara Turbo lineup adds a set of upgraded 17-inch alloys, automatic LED headlights, front and rear parking sensors, adaptive cruise control, leather and suede upholstery, automatic wipers and an upgraded six-speaker sound system, atop some added safety equipment that we’ll cover later in this review. 

Range Features: 

• 17-inch alloys 

• LED daytime running lamps 

• Cruise control 

• Leather-wrapped steering wheel 

• Reversing camera 

• Keyless entry & start 

• Climate control 

• 7.0-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay & Android Auto 

• Satellite navigation 

• Premium 17-inch alloys (Turbo)

• Automatic LED headlights (Turbo)

• Adaptive cruise control (Turbo)

• Leather & suede upholstery (Turbo)

• Front & rear parking sensors (Turbo)

• Active safety equipment (Turbo)

• Panoramic sunroof (Turbo AWD)

• Hill-descent control (Turbo AWD)

Suzuki Vitara Colours 

The Suzuki Vitara is available in a range of colours, including Cool White, Solar Yellow, Silky Silver, Bright Red, Galactic Grey, Atlantic Turquoise, Cosmic Black and Savannah Ivory. 

Is it Comfortable to Drive? 

While it might not have received a major update in quite some time, the Vitara’s platform remains one of the leading options within the compact SUV segment for comfortable and user-friendly driving. 

At its heart, the entry-level Vitara is powered by a 1.6-litre four-cylinder engine that produces 86kW of power and 156Nm of torque, which is paired with your choice of a five-speed manual or six-speed automatic transmission. 

The power on offer in the base Vitara is modest, but the little engine has no problem when it comes to getting to work, helping you pick up enough speed for the majority of driving situations. 

Stepping up to the Vitara Turbo lineup unsurprisingly adds a turbocharger, bringing power to 103kW and the torque figure up to a much healthier 220Nm. This remains by far the best engine option and adds some much-needed perkiness to the acceleration. 

Whichever engine you opt for, the Vitara’s platform lends itself perfectly to comfortable commuting around town and long road trips alike thanks to its lightweight steering rack and the nimble short wheelbase that makes it a breeze to park. 

The suspension package is very much up for the challenge of Australia’s rough B-roads, while offering a smooth driving dynamic on city streets that makes the Vitara a pleasure to drive. 

Thanks to the lightweight platform, the Vitara is surprisingly engaging to drive, while opting for the AWD flagship adds even more stability to the package that is capable of some impressive off-road driving.

In spite of having no locking differentials, the Vitara can tackle some challenging terrain and tough hill gradients, to the point that the drivetrain itself is perhaps limited by the body’s ground clearance, making for a great little off-roader.   

Overall, the Vitara remains an undoubtedly comfortable, user-friendly and charismatic compact SUV from a company known for its personable compact cars that significantly out-perform the majority of its rivals when pushed off-road. 

Is it Practical and Spacious? 

Although the Vitara sits within the compact SUV segment, when it comes to interior space, practicality, driving comfort and a family-friendly cabin, the Vitara has more than a few tricks up its sleeve. 

While you could accuse the interior design of being a little bit basic, it remains undeniably ergonomic and a well-thought-out cabin that can eat up loose items and comfortably seat a family of five; something that many of its peers simply can’t. 

Up front, there’s a great view out of the large windscreen and an adjustable driving position for all shapes and sizes, with a heap of headroom that adds to the sense of spaciousness inside the Vitara’s cabin. 

There’s a clear sense that Suzuki has taken optimising storage and practicality very seriously in the Vitara’s cabin, which has translated to a family-friendly package filled with clever and thoughtful features. 

Move to the rear of the cabin and you’ll find a comfortable benchseat with a decent amount of legroom even for adults, although there’s not a heap of headroom for tall rear occupants, which is something the majority of cars in the compact SUV segment are guilty of. 

The rear seats are fitted with a pair of ISOFIX anchors and top tether mounts that can accommodate a trio of forward and rear-facing child seats. 

Finally, the Vitara offers families a decent-sized boot measuring 375L in total, which expands to 710L with the rear seats folded.

All up, while the design of the Vitara’s cabin doesn’t inspire, it performs well when put under the family test for a car of this segment.  

Is it Safe? 

The Suzuki Vitara has been awarded ANCAP’s maximum five-star safety rating, scoring 14.79 out of a potential 16 for front impact protection and 16 out of 16 for side impacts. 

The base model receives a fairly basic safety equipment list that includes curtain airbags and anti-lock brakes but no active safety tech, which is reserved for the Turbo flagship. 

Stepping up to the Vitara Turbo adds an adaptive cruise control system, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alerts, autonomous emergency braking system and lane departure warnings. 

Is it Fuel Efficient?

The Suzuki Vitara performs well when put under the fuel economy test, with the base model Vitara 1.6 returning a combined cycle figure of 5.8L/100km for the manual and 6.0L/100km for the automatic variant. 

Stepping up to the Vitara Turbo brings fuel economy figures to 5.9L/100km on a combined cycle for the manual, and up to 6.2L/100km for the automatic variant. 

Our Verdict: Is the Suzuki Vitara Worth it?

While the platform is no doubt due for an update, the Suzuki Vitara remains one of the top performers in the small SUV segment that offers buyers a heap of personality and an incredibly user-friendly platform. 

If you’re tossing up your options within the compact SUV segment and you’re looking for something with some genuine practicality and off-road abilities, the Vitara is well-worth a spot on your shortlist. 

On that note, if you’re in the market for a new car, you can get a free quote and see how much OnlineAuto can save you on your next car, or call us on 1300 719 925

Five Specs You Need to Know

1. Five-year/unlimited KM warranty 
2. 12-month/10,000km service intervals for Vitara Turbo
3. 375L of boot space; expands to 710L with seats folded 
4. 5.8 - 6.2L/100km fuel economy figures 
5. Five-star ANCAP safety rating 

Pros 

• Genuine practicality within the compact SUV segment 
• Puts rivals to shame off-road 
• User-friendly and comfortable driving nature 
• Impressive performance from turbo flagship 

Cons

• Safety equipment reserved for Turbo variant 
• Uninspiring base model engine 
• Beginning to feel dated compared to modern rivals 
• Shorter service intervals for Vitara Turbo 

OnlineAuto Rating: 9/10

Suzuki Vitara Competition