The Autodealer team got the keys and I grabbed them to go and conquer the Magalies mountain range.
The looks
Retaining most of the styling that was introduced in 2015, the most notable changes upfront is the grille and the lower front intake. The Turbo derivative enjoys the same level specification as found on the GLX guise which means you can expect to find 17-inch alloy wheels on the exterior and have an option of five solid colours and seven dual-tone combinations whereby the roof comes finished in either white or black, depending on the body colour.
The test vehicle came finished in Metallic Silky Silver with chrome detailing on the front grille and under fog lamps as well as a set of silver roof rails.
The interior
While the exterior has a modern yet understated design, the interior is where things get interesting, jam-packed with tech. In the driver seat, you can use the steering mounted controls change the audio volume or skip tracks or utilize the cruise control or speed limiting. In the instrument cluster, there is a 4.2-inch colour display that provides you with all the necessary information for an efficient trip. All occupants benefit from automatic climate control.
Also on the list of tech I enjoyed was the intuitive infotainment system displayed on a 7.0-inch touch screen. This allowed me to connect my phone via Android Auto and also support Apple Carplay and MirrorLink. When navigating using the reverse gear, the screen displays images from the reverse camera while the front and rear park sensors guide you along. The infotainment system supports; SD cards, USB drives and Bluetooth and many of the features can be accessed via the voice control.
Safety
While luckily I didn’t have to experience the effectiveness of the airbags, it did give me comfort knowing there are seven of them. Helping me avoid accidents is the electronic stability control with traction control, ABS brakes with electronic brake-force distribution and the brake-assist system.
The Vitara is also constructed utilizing Suzuki’s Total Effective Control Technology (TECT) body-design. In layman’s terms, the Vitara is constructed using ultra-high-strength steel with side and cross-body impact zones to assist with impact absorption.
The Boosterjet
The test vehicle featured the latest in Suzuki’s engine line-up, the 1.4-litre Boosterjet motor which is now also found in the Swift Sport. While you can have a choice of either a six-speed automatic gearbox or a six-speed manual, the vehicle came with the latter and I was happy with that specification. Although the six-speed automatic is more than capable for daily driving, the manual allowed me to exploit every bit of the 103 kW and 220 N.m available on my routes up the mountainside.
While my strenuous up the mountainside did not do much good for my fuel consumption, the daily commute did result in figures close to the manufacturer claimed 5.8L/100km.
Verdict
While the current iteration of the Vitara is familiar in terms of its looks, the engine has given it a different personality. The Boosterjet motor not only allows for efficient commuting but the turbo was very responsive during overtaking with basically no lag. The increase in power also gives more confidence when undertaking more challenging roads.
By no means will this replace your bakkie on a 4X4 trip, but while being front-wheel drive, the Vitara had no hassle conquering the steep paths up the mountain but could face an uphill battle with newcomers such as the Kia Seltos, Volkswagen T-Cross and Hyundai Creta gaining more and popularity.
Warranty
The Suzuki Vitara Turbo comes standard with a three-year/100 000km warranty and a four-year/60 000km service plan.
Price
Suzuki Vitara 1.4T GLX auto – R 405 900
