Suzuki Vitara Brezza makes everyday commuting a breeze

Suzuki’s pay-off line for the Vitara Brezza is “It just gets Brezza”. Even though it was with a heavy heart we said goodbye to our long-term Vitara Brezza last month, we are happy to report our time in the compact SUV was just that. A breeze.

If the time a motoring scribe dedicates to each test car has to be compared to a relationship, the typical two to seven-day stay is a one-night stand. No commitment is required as it is gone before you know it.

But in the rare case of a long-term tester, you find yourself in an actual relationship over an extended period. This allows you to truly get to know the car and discover what it will feel like owning one yourself.

After living with the Suzuki Vitara Brezza on a daily basis for six months and a total of 9 052km, we can definitely recommend it as marriage material.

Punchy powertrain

Our time in the Vitara Brezza consisted of two back-to-back three-month periods in first the automatic and then the manual version of the top-of-the-range 1.5 GLX.

The only difference between the two, apart from colour and price, was the transmission. The R289 900 three-peddle derivative comes with a five-speed gearbox and the R309 900 two-peddle derivative with a four-speed box.

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The four-model Vitara Brezza range is powered by a naturally aspirated, four-cylinder 1.5-litre petrol engine that sends 77 kW of power and 138 Nm of torque to the front wheels.

Manual or auto?

It is difficult to favour the one gearbox over the other as each has its own characteristic and it will come down to personal preference. What we can say is that whichever one you choose, you will easily learn to live with.

At a price point were more affordable CVTs are often favoured over proper automatic transmission by many manufacturers, the Vitara Brezza’s auto box is a welcome haven. The gear ratios are well balanced for everyday city commuting and the open road.

As the fourth gear is considered an overdrive gear, it can be deactivated via a switch on the gearlever should you feel the box is too undecided between third and fourth gear on hilly stretches of road. This goes a long way in alleviating constant gear hunting, the main gripe anti-CVT activists have with the concept of continual variable transmission.

If you don’t like changings cogs yourself or spend a lot of time in bumper-to-bumper traffic, the automatic is a solid option, albeit not the sportiest.

If you do prefer a hastier and more responsive ride, then the manual will be right your alley. The combination of a light clutch and smooth gearbox makes changing cogs yourself as easy as you could get.

As the high-revving powerplant’s peak power is available at 6 000 rpm, you do get the sense that you are able to extract more out of the mill than in the two-peddle version.

Frugal sipper

Interestingly, the auto model proved to be more fuel efficient than its manual counterpart. Over the course of the 5 933 km we covered in the auto, fuel consumption was recorded at an average of 6.8 L/100 km.

The best we achieved was an excellent 5.4 L/100 km during a 326 km economy run during which the cruise control set at 110 km/h. Over the course of the 3 119 km we covered in the manual, the average fuel consumption was around 7.1 L/100 km.

We made no attempt to drive it economically and had we done so, the number would have in all likelihood been closer to the automatic which means there isn’t a great deal in it. That explains why Suzuki claims a figure of 6.2 L/100 km for both models.

Going places

We found that the Vitara Brezza was a perfect companion to go about life on a daily basis whether setting off on the school run or making your way in or around Johannesburg. It is pleasantly easy to operate, spacious enough inside for an average family yet small enough to negotiate tight spaces.

The 328-litre boot proved big enough for all the daily school cases, sports bags and laptop bags, while it also swallowed all of 14 grocery bags after a monthly stop at the supermarket. An aftermarket towbar also came in very handy to get our mountainbikes to our favourite trails.

Conclusion

Since the Suzuki Vitara Brezza’s arrival in February, the local compact SUV landscape has become a whole lot more competitive. The Toyota Urban Cruiser, which is effectively a rebadged Vitara Brezza, the Kia Seltos, the Nissan Magnite and the Renault Kiger have all joined this intriguing race.

While personal preference should be the deciding factor for most buyers, the Vitara Brezza has enough going for it to at least feature on anyone shopping in this segment’s shortlist. Come to think of it, one of South Africa’s fastest growing brands renowned for its quality and long-lasting products is not the worst family to marry into.

The Suzuki Vitara Brezza is sold with a four year/60 000 km service plan and a five year/200 000 km warranty. For more information on the Suzuki Vitara Brezza, click here