The Suzuki Vitara has been round in fourth-generation guise because the mid-2010s, and is a bit totally different in idea to its predecessors.
The place its forebears had been extra centered on being inexpensive, go-anywhere child 4x4s, the present iteration is extra of a jacked-up hatchback, sharing its DNA with the likes of the S-Cross.
Now within the later levels of life, the Hungarian-sourced Vitara Sequence II is among the elders within the small SUV phase, older than all however the comparatively historical Mitsubishi ASX (which first hit manufacturing in 2010).
The Vitara isn’t immune to cost rises both, regardless of its age. Right here on check we’ve got the most costly variant at present on sale – the 2023 Suzuki Vitara Turbo AllGrip (AWD), which is able to set you again a cool $42,990 drive-away.
It’s not unusual for high-spec compact crossovers to have a value beginning with a ‘4’… however as we’ll clarify, the top-spec Suzuki is actually beginning to fall out of the race in comparison with its rivals, particularly while you think about its lofty value level.
How a lot does the Suzuki Vitara Turbo AllGrip value?
The automobile you see right here begins from $42,990 drive-away in Victoria.
2023 Suzuki Vitara pricing:
- Suzuki Vitara 2WD 6MT: $27,490 ($31,990)
- Suzuki Vitara 2WD 6AT: $28,990 ($33,490)
- Suzuki Vitara Turbo 2WD 6AT: $33,990 ($38,490)
- Suzuki Vitara Turbo AllGrip 6AT: $37,990 ($42,990)
Costs exclude on-road prices, drive-away pricing in brackets
It’s by far the dearest variant at present on sale in Australia, with the AllGrip all-wheel drive system commanding a hefty $4000 premium over the Vitara Turbo 2WD which is in any other case just about similar in spec.
At this finish of the market the Vitara is duking it out with mid- to high-spec variations of the Hyundai Kona, Kia Seltos, Mazda CX-30, Nissan Qashqai and Toyota Corolla Cross. The most cost effective (however successfully mid-spec) Volkswagen T-Roc Fashion can be comparable cash.
So as to add insult to damage, when the facelifted Vitara vary first lobbed Down Beneath in 2019, the Turbo AllGrip was priced from $33,990 earlier than on-road prices – that’s a $4000 mark-up in three or 4 years, with successfully no modifications to spec.
The Vitara’s Hungarian manufacturing means it’s topic to European import tariffs, the place its Asian-sourced rivals usually are not.
What’s the Suzuki Vitara Turbo AllGrip like on the within?
In a world the place so many automobiles are transferring to display-heavy, button-less cabins, the Vitara’s cockpit stays properly standard and practical – if uninspiring.
Not a lot has modified because the Sequence II mannequin launched globally in 2018, although Australian fashions just lately acquired a distinct infotainment unit within the wake of semiconductor-related element shortages.
The 9.0-inch touchscreen is a locally-fitted resolution that has been in place from late 2021; this unit now does service in nearly each native Suzuki mannequin bar the Jimny Lite, Swift Sport, and new S-Cross.
It’s an improve over the outdated 7.0-inch OEM unit within the sense its bought an additional 2.0 inches of show actual property, and it retains the outgoing show’s wired Apple CarPlay and Android Auto performance. It does, nevertheless, lose manufacturing facility satellite tv for pc navigation.
The interface is slightly pared again in comparison with the Suzuki-supplied unit, and the icons and fonts reveal the show’s third-party origins.
It’s slightly gradual and laggy, and I discovered anybody I spoke to on the cellphone complained about audio high quality as a result of the microphone is mounted on the show (on the passenger aspect, no much less) and never forward of the driving force.
Vitara Turbo fashions rating two extra tweeters on prime of the bottom mannequin’s four-speaker audio system, but it surely’s hardly the final phrase in audio high quality. Crank it up too loud and also you’ll discover the skinny cabin plastics begin to shake and vibrate, as do the home windows.
On the subject of construct and materials high quality, the Vitara’s cabin hardly feels plush given its pricing and European origins.
The facelift introduced a soft-touch sprint prime, which is a welcome improve, however the remainder of the cabin is shod with laborious, shiny, cheap-feeling plastics that don’t really feel as much as activity when one thing like a Mazda CX-30 or Nissan Qashqai are furnished nicely sufficient to make an entry-level Audi or Mercedes nervous.
I’ll reward the seats, that are completed in a leather-accented and suede mixture, with the latter that includes a sewing sample that resembles a tyre tread. I believe that’s fairly cool.
The seating place is sort of excessive, and whereas there’s respectable guide adjustment for the driving force’s seat and steering wheel, the AllGrip’s panoramic sunroof eats into headroom fairly a bit in each rows.
Storage isn’t a powerful level both, with a shallow shelf beneath the centre stack that has bigger telephones jutting out and smaller objects like keys sliding round, whereas the squared off cupholders between the entrance seats are an odd measurement and form.
A mean-sized bin beneath the centre armrest and small door bins with bottle holders spherical out the storage options up entrance.
The plastic guide handbrake and basic-looking gearshifter really feel fairly low cost. It’s simply feeling dated, and a bit undercooked in comparison with the competitors nowadays.
Within the second row the Vitara once more is beginning to present its age in comparison with higher packaged and furnished competitors.
This is among the smaller automobiles in its class, and that’s positively clear in case you’re six foot or above. Knee room behind a taller driver (I’m 6’1) is sort of tight, and headroom is fairly compromised with that panoramic glass roof.
You’ll additionally discover no rear air vents, no map pocket behind the driving force’s seat, and no fold-down centre armrest. It’s fairly spartan, however there are bottle holders within the doorways.
There are ISOFIX anchors on the window seats and top-tether factors throughout all three rear positions, so the kiddies are catered for.
Within the boot, the Vitara’s boxy design helps it claw again some floor.
At 375 litres in five-seat configuration, the Suzuki’s boot is bigger than quite a few extra style-led rivals, and is a match for small hatchbacks just like the Volkswagen Golf – although a Kia Seltos or Nissan Qashqai provide over 50 litres extra capability.
Drop these rear seats and Suzuki quotes a comparatively small 710-litre most determine. Regardless of the below-average quantity quote the house itself is tall and sq., and whereas the rear seats aren’t fully flat when folded there’s no awkward step up from the boot ground to the seat backs.
An area-saver spare wheel lives beneath the baggage space ground.
What’s beneath the bonnet?
Vitara Turbo fashions get a 1.4-litre BoosterJet four-cylinder turbo petrol engine, creating 103kW (5500rpm) advert 220Nm (1500-4000rpm).
Whereas these outputs don’t appear significantly spectacular on paper, the Vitara Turbo’s comparatively lithe 1235kg kerb weight on this spec (1160kg for the 2WD) imply the engine feels quite a bit punchier than it appears on paper.
Drive is distributed to an on-demand all-wheel drive system through a six-speed automated transmission on this spec, although as talked about earlier you too can get the Vitara Turbo with front-wheel drive as nicely.
Suzuki claims a mixed gasoline economic system determine of 6.2L per 100km for the Vitara Turbo AllGrip (5.9L/100km 2WD), with 95 RON premium unleaded required for its 47-litre gasoline tank. It carries a mixed emissions ranking of 145g/km.
The AllGrip AWD system doesn’t convey any added towing capability, at most 1200kg braked.
How does the Suzuki Vitara Turbo AllGrip drive?
Forgive me if I’ve sounded slightly unfavorable to this point, however the Vitara makes up floor when you get it on the highway.
In typical Suzuki vogue, its mild weight and responsive driver controls make this boxy little crossover a enjoyable and chuckable factor that’s a doddle to commute in, and a little bit of enjoyable to ship by means of some bends.
The steering is fast and correct, and there’s a pure stage of physique lean that provides to the appeal. Plus, there’s the BoosterJet petrol engine that provides a little bit of zest.
With all 220Nm accessible from simply 1500rpm the Vitara Turbo effortlessly will get alongside in metropolis site visitors, with each off-line and rolling acceleration responsive and meaty from down low.
The six-speed auto does a superb job retaining the 1.4-litre engine in its candy spot, whereas additionally shuffling by means of the cogs to assist effectivity.
Having all-wheel drive readily available additionally means this Vitara Turbo is much less prone to torque steer and understeering than its 2WD equal, although it’s nonetheless not resistant to scrabbling for grip in case you gun it from the lights.
It rides properly, with a softly-sprung tune that does a superb job isolating occupants from the lumps and bumps of city and metropolis life. It’s additionally fairly settled on the freeway.
Whereas it steers and rides fairly nicely, the Vitara suffers one other typical Suzuki trait which is lack of refinement – significantly on the freeway.
Street noise is sort of noticeable on rougher surfaces, and you will get a little bit of wind buffeting too. It simply doesn’t really feel wherever close to as insulated as most rivals within the phase.
The Vitara can be brief on driver help tech in comparison with the broader phase, which is disappointing given the AllGrip’s value level in 2023.
It has a primary adaptive cruise management that cuts out beneath 30km/h, and might at instances battle to keep up the set velocity happening hills. Talking of hills, upgrading to the AllGrip provides hill descent management.
There’s helpful blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert, however the usual lane departure warning (no help) is nicely brief on what the majority of the phase affords – most provide semi-autonomous performance nowadays.
What do you get?
Vitara Turbo AllGrip highlights:
- 17-inch polished alloy wheels
- Auto LED headlights
- Leather-based-accented/suede upholstery
- Suede entrance door inserts
- Rain-sensing wipers
- Entrance, rear parking sensors
- 4 x audio system, 2 x tweeters (audio)
- Darkish silver dashboard insert
- Panoramic sunroof
- Overhead sun shades holder
Colors
- Cool White
- Silky Silver*
- Cosmic Black Pearl Metallic*
- Brilliant Pink with Cosmic Black Roof**
- Atlantis Turquoise Pearl Metallic with Cosmic Black Roof**
- Savannah Ivory with Cosmic Black Roof**
- Galactic Gray Metallic with Cosmic Black Roof**
- Photo voltaic Yellow with Cosmic Black Roof**
*Premium/Metallic paint $695 additional
*Premium two-tone paint $1295 additional
Is the Suzuki Vitara Turbo AllGrip protected?
As of January 1 2023, the Suzuki Vitara vary is unrated in Australia. Automobiles constructed earlier than January 1 put on a five-star ANCAP security ranking, based mostly on 2015 assessments in opposition to older standards.
Towards the outdated scoring system, the Vitara managed 35.79 out of 37, together with excellent scores within the Aspect Affect (16/16) and Pole (2/2) assessments. Whiplash and pedestrian safety had been rated as Good.
It’s price noting that lively security assists weren’t a requirement to get a five-star ranking when the Vitara was initially examined, as the bottom grade does with out options like AEB and lane departure warning.
Customary security options embrace:
- 7 airbags incl. driver’s knee
- Anti-lock braking system (ABS)
- Brake help
- Digital brake distribution (EBD)
- Digital stability management (ESC)
- Reversing digicam
Vitara Turbo provides:
- Adaptive cruise management
- Autonomous emergency braking (AEB)
- Blind-spot monitoring
- Lane departure warning
- Rear cross-traffic alert
- Weaving Alert
How a lot does the Suzuki Vitara Turbo AllGrip value to run?
Suzuki Australia covers its vary with a five-year, unlimited-kilometre guarantee.
Moreover, the Japanese model consists of as much as 5 years of complimentary roadside help on the situation the automobile is maintained based on the service schedule with a Suzuki supplier.
Talking of, scheduled upkeep is required each 12 months or 10,000 kilometres – whichever comes first. Suzuki affords capped-price servicing for as much as 5 years or 100,000 kilometres, once more whichever comes first.
For the primary 60 months or 50,000 kilometres, every go to for the Vitara Turbo will value $329, $429, $339, $539, $349 for a complete of $1985.
When makers like Toyota and Honda are charging round $200 per yr for 5 years, it makes the Suzuki appear costly. With that mentioned, Kia and the Europeans will cost you comparable or extra.
As for real-world gasoline consumption, I managed an indicated 8.0L/100km throughout my week of blended driving, which included some freeway stints in addition to common peak-hour commuting.
That’s a bit up on Suzuki’s 6.2L/100km declare, which isn’t helped by the dearth of gasoline saving know-how like idle cease/begin.
Abroad, Suzuki affords the 1.4L BoosterJet Turbo as a Gentle Hybrid with small battery and electrical motor, in addition to a Full Hybrid which mixes a 1.5L naturally-aspirated petrol engine with a motor-generator and battery.
CarExpert’s Tackle the Suzuki Vitara Turbo AllGrip
There’s nonetheless enchantment within the Suzuki Vitara, simply not on this explicit specification.
In Turbo AllGrip guise, the Vitara is just too costly relative to the present competitor set. It lacks the tech, options, house, high quality and refinement anticipated of a compact SUV costing greater than $40,000 on the highway.
The change in infotainment techniques has additionally introduced with it usability and have compromises, and the AllGrip’s panoramic sunroof additionally eats into headroom.
Whereas the Vitara isn’t a prime choose in 2023’s small SUV class, the Turbo 2WD is a comparatively attainable, economical and enjoyable crossover to get about in, and is significantly better positioned in opposition to its competitor set. That’d be my choose of the vary.
It’s a disgrace Suzuki hasn’t introduced any of the electrified fashions supplied abroad, as within the Australian promote it’d be one thing of a singular proposition and an alternative choice to supply-stricken Toyota.
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