Vitara returns to the essence of a compact SUV

It’s almost three decades since the Suzuki Vitara first saw the light of day and at the time it was a pioneer in introducing the compact SUV.

In SA it was not long before its larger sibling, the Grand Vitara, succeeded it and joined the battle for the small SUV/crossover market. The all-new Vitara is a return to the idea of a truly compact SUV and utilises the platform and drivetrain of the very successful SX4.

With the watchword these days being “efficiency”, the new Vitara uses aerodynamics, low mass, even lighter than the SX4, and an efficient power plant to provide good fuel economy and lower emissions.

According to Brendon Carpenter, product planning co-ordinator at Suzuki SA, the Vitara will compete in the highly competitive crossover segment of the market and, when fitted with the AllGrip system, in the compact SUV sector.

Carpenter said the compact SUV market is one of the highest growth areas and European figures appear to confirm this. In 2010, the Euro market demand was 200 000 units and over the past four years that has grown to an impressive 550 000.

Launched in Knysna last week, the Vitara line-up consists of five models with three specification levels: the GL, GL+ and GLX.

The GL uses front wheel drive (FWD) with a five-speed manual gearbox, whereas the GL+ offers the options of FWD or Suzuki’s AllGrip all-wheel drive – both use the five-speed manual box.

The range-topping GLX offers front wheel drive with the option of a six-speed automatic transmission or with AllGrip and the five-speed manual. All derivatives utilise an identical 1.6-litre petrol engine. It may be a compact, but it’s not small, measuring 4 175mm long, 1 775mm wide and 1 610mm high.

The twin element grille is bracketed by narrow, clear headlamp clusters and surmounts the trapezoidal lower air intake. Bumpers are colour-coded and all models, except the entry level GL, sport recessed front fog lights and daytime running lights.

The short overhangs provide the Vitara with approach and departure angles of 18.2 degrees and 28.2 degrees respectively, and it’s 185mm ground clearance allows the Vitara to meet the rough stuff head on.

The interior has a clean ergonomically efficient appearance, the dashboard carries a binnacle for the analogue speedometer and rev counter, plus an information display panel.

A centre stack carries controls for the air-conditioning and audio systems. The steering wheel is adjustable for height and reach and both front seats are height adjustable.

The rear seat is split on a 60:40 basis and provides good seating and luggage stowage. There’s 375 litres of luggage space with the rear seatback raised, increasing to 710 litres with the seatbacks folded down.

Safety features are ABS with BA, ESC, seven airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners and load limiters. The Vitara has been awarded five stars following the very stringent new EuroNCAP safety tests.

On the road, the Vitara handled well – my particular model was a FWD GL+, seating was comfortable and supportive and all controls easy and light to use.

I did find the shift between second and third gear a little tricky initially but as the drive continued, the issues lessened. The newness of the vehicle could well have accounted for this.

The 1 586cc engine with multipoint injection and VVT delivers 86kW at 6 600rpm and 151Nm of torque at 4 400rpm and performed well, providing smooth, adequate power. Obviously, it was not possible to check fuel consumption, but it is claimed at around the six litres/100km throughout the range.

Some of the roads I travelled were certainly less than perfect but the Vitara coped with ease. Although not a 4×4, I was really not surprised with the Suzuki’s performance. The technology and engineering skills gained from such vehicles as the Jimny could only produce a package that continues the heritage.

Although the Japanese manufacture is a relatively small player in the SA market, the quality of the product and the peace of mind that a three-year/100 000km warranty, four-year/60 000km service plan and a three-year roadside assistance package brings means the new Vitara has got to be worth a look.

Pricing starts at R239 900.