The all-new 2016 Suzuki Vitara: the compact SUV reinvented

The new Vitara is the latest offering from the Suzuki stable. There is no doubt that Suzuki has reinvented the compact SUV in the new Vitara, which is ready to crush the car market. It can even become a big hit. There are many buyers who cannot pay a lot of money to own an SUV, for them, the new Suzuki Vitara is the most affordable compact SUV in its segment. To be sure, many small hatch car buyers will now have to think twice before finalizing their decision to purchase the vehicle.

The automobile market has become quite competitive and Suzuki has introduced this compact SUV to maintain its fair share of the market. The new Suzuki Grand Vitara has a starting price of $ 22,990 (on the roads it costs more) – its specs, along with pleasant fuel economy figures, should appeal to more than a few buyers of the usual little hatches. This car is available in 2 specifications and both are well equipped. The entry-level RT-S ($ 22,990 plus highway costs) comes with front-wheel drive only and the RT-X ($ 24,990 plus highway costs) offers all-wheel drive and a standard car.

The new car is the Vitara nameplate makeover; however, it is not the successor to the current Grand Vitara. By contrast, this little wonder competes with compact styled SUVs like the prosaic Ford Eco Sport or Renault Captur. This new car is ideal for a week in the city, with just the right flexibility for driving to the beach on weekends. It’s decked out with a sunroof, leather seats, and little extras to justify its extra cost.

Suzuki strongly believes in Vitara’s customization options as the key to the car’s success. There are 6 paint finishes available, 3 of which come with a contrasting black roof as a $ 995 alternative.

Without a doubt, this reimagined compact SUV is quite promising.

Drive

The new Suzuki Vitara is powered by an efficient 1.6-liter gasoline engine with VVT that generates 86kW of power at 6,000 RPM and 156 Nm of torque at 4,400 RPM. It comes with a 5-speed manual or 6-speed automatic transmission, front-wheel drive for the RT-S model and a 6-speed automatic, four-mode all-wheel drive for the RT-X model. It is equipped with Mac Pherson strut front suspension and torsion bar rear suspension. It has electric power steering, solid rear rotors, vented front rotors, and 4-wheel disc brakes.

Suzuki’s experience dates back to the 1970s when it introduced its first LJ10 series. That car has over time become the Jimny, which is available to this day. Since then, Suzuki has not looked back and has been successfully manufacturing and supplying small, light and surprisingly capable compact 4×4 vehicles. Without a doubt, this new car is certainly focused on urban driving; however, that strong DNA has helped design today’s vehicle. Driving the manual car in the city is very straightforward and draws attention to a smart gearbox and a nice clutch feel, which makes it quite easy to drive. There are no failures to maintain the highway boundary; however, it is recommended to leave enough room when passing.

  • The RT-S variant performs front-wheel drive only, which is a good option for young first-time car buyers who only want to drive in the city and on the highways.
  • The RT-X variant is equipped with impressive all-wheel drive with automatic transmission and is perfect for those looking for grip on all four wheels.

The system will supply power to the rear wheels as it uncovers grip when left in automatic mode on gravel. To respond to low-traction surfaces, the “snow and mud” setting preemptively splits rear axle power from neutral and adjusts ESP. Between the front and rear axles, a 4×4 lockout mode assigns an even 50:50 torque split, and to keep revs high, Sport mode shifts the automatic shift points. Also, on narrow and zigzag roads, sport mode shifts torque to the rear axle and it ends up being quite fun. When it comes to ride quality, the Vitara is firm and at no point does it feel too stiff, nor does the suspension jump or stutter on uneven roads. The steering is sharp, which packs a nice weight and is very accurate, which is something you wouldn’t always expect from an SUV.

Fuel economy

Fuel economy is the center of attraction. According to official figures, the manual RT-S yields 5.8 liters per 100 kilometers and the RT-X yields 6.3 liters per 100 kilometers.

Safety

The new Grand Vitara is equipped with seven airbags (double side, double front, driver’s knee and full curtain), ABS brakes with electronic distribution of brake force, hill descent control, height-adjustable front seat belts with load limiting pretensioners, a reversing camera and grade hold (automatic only).

Inside

The interior of Vitara has been elegantly designed to surprise and impress you. It is well built and configured to be practical.

You can customize the decor panel and air conditioning vent rings with a choice of interchangeable panels ranging from deep orange to vibrant turquoise or contemporary pure white, to a more refined glossy black for a small additional cost.

The Vitara has good space on the inside despite its compact external dimensions. While driving, you get a clear front view, as well as good all-round visibility, all because the driving position is higher than usual. The front seats are quite comfortable for a longer ride, they provide adequate thigh support and a well-formed bolster.

It is equipped with a decent 375-liter trunk, which beats the Mazda CX-3 and Holden Trax. To accommodate smaller items, there is a pocket on each side and a compartment under the floor to hide valuables.

Variant RT-S: Single-zone climate control, fabric upholstery, remote central locking, power windows and mirrors, cruise control with speed limiter, trip computer, leather-wrapped multifunction steering wheel, LED daytime running lights, 17-inch gray alloy wheels inch and analog clock.

Variant RT-X: (In addition to RT-S): Panoramic power sunroof, proximity key and push button start, power folding mirrors with turn signals, leather and suede seat upholstery, front and rear parking sensors, 17-inch polished alloy wheels , automatic lights and wipers and LED low beam headlights.

Infotainment: Four speakers (RT-S) or six speakers (RT-X) for audio, seven-inch touchscreen, satellite navigation, Bluetooth phone and audio connectivity, Mirror Link (for compatible smartphones) and iPod USB connectivity.

Luggage capacity: 375 liters, which can be stretched through 60:40 split folding rear seats.

summarizing

The Suzuki brand has a brilliant history in SUV manufacturing. The new Vitara is built with a focus on hairpin bends for city driving. The compact dimensions of the Vitara are perfect for roaming the busy city streets, which pairs nicely with spacious and stylish interiors and boasts a fantastic infotainment system. It shines on the road and is a great buy for young buyers. People who can afford the RT-X variant will get the all-terrain grip (4-wheel drive).

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