Some 16 years after Suzuki terminated the Vitara replacing it with the Grand Vitara, the nameplate returns on a softer and more mainstream compact crossover.
Suzuki’s answer to the increasingly popular small and compact SUV segment has a length of 4,175mm, a width of 1,775mm, a height of 1,610mm and a wheelbase of 2,500mm.
For all its MINI references, Suzuki’s Swift is a nice looking car and so is the Grand Vitara, despite the years it carries on its back. The new Vitara, not so much, and that’s a shame because the iV-4 Concept that previewed it last year, wasn’t half bad.
The bland interior isn’t any better and Suzuki’s efforts to give it a more youthful appearance through personalization options such as the two-tone paint-job, various different trims and the availability of two special packages, including the Urban that adds chrome parts and the Rugged with skid plates and side moldings, don’t seem to do the trick.
When it goes on sale next year, it will be available with two 1.6-liter engines, a 118hp (120PS) and 156Nm petrol and a 118hp (120PS) and 320Nm diesel. The petrol lump gets a five-speed manual and an optional 6-speed automatic, while the diesel is offered exclusively with a six-speed stick shift.
Suzuki’s four-mode ALLGRIP all-wheel drive system will be offered as an option.
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