Used Suzuki Vitara for sale: everything you need to know
The Vitara nameplate has been around since 1988, and while the car itself has changed quite significantly over time, morphing from stylish and rufty-tufty compact off-roader to something more family-friendly and low-emissions, typical Suzuki traits like affordability and reliability have been there the entire time.
The latest car has been on sale since 2015, and had a reasonably significant update in 2019, and it’s these later models we’re concentrating on here. Appealing squared-off styling, a simple cabin design, and a lightweight structure are all strengths of the current Vitara, along with frugal engines and the perennial option of all-wheel drive - immediately giving the Vitara an edge over its predominantly front-wheel drive rivals. Plus, while the Vitara is good value new, it’s even more affordable used.
Should you buy a Suzuki Vitara?
The Vitara could be Suzuki’s figurehead, offering everything the brand has become known for: practicality, reliability, no-nonsense appeal, and a lively drive, at prices that undercut most other cars of this type. That’s true when you buy a brand new Vitara but it applies to used models too, which are surprising value and keep saving you money with low running costs too.
It’s not the flashiest small SUV on sale, but that may not matter. The Vitara seems to get quite a lot from only a little - its light weight (less than some conventional small cars like Fiestas and Polos) means that small engine sizes of 1.4 and 1.5 litres still give it decent pep (especially the 1.4, which is turbocharged), and don’t guzzle fuel either. The lightness also gives the Vitara an agile feel, while all-wheel drive versions are quite capable off the beaten track.
The Vitara got a round of updates in 2019 so these models will be best-equipped, and have the freshest exterior styling and interior trim. Equipment levels aren’t class-topping, but you still get useful features such as Apple CarPlay and Android Auto (in these later cars at least), standard air conditioning across the range, and later cars all come with LED headlights too.
The small SUV segment is very competitive and your eyes may be drawn by more striking designs like the Nissan Juke, Peugeot 2008, premium options like the Audi Q2, or the max-car for minimum-money Dacia Duster, but if your main concerns are value for money, economy and low running costs, and the option of going off road now and then, the Vitara is well worth a look.
What’s the best used Suzuki Vitara model to buy?
There are no real bad options with the latest Vitara. It’s surprising how well the older 1-litre Boosterjet models get down the road for such a small engine - helped by the Vitara’s low weight - while the original 1.4-litre Boosterjet was good fun and still very frugal. The mild hybrid 1.4 is now probably the pick of the range, barely less economical than the 1.5-litre full hybrid, at least on paper, but with much stronger performance.
SZ-T is probably the pick of the trim levels, striking a good balance between the entry-level Go and the range-topping SZ5 - though if you need all-wheel drive, bear in mind that this is only available in the SZ5 (though some of the earlier trim levels also offered the option).
Used Suzuki Vitara fuel economy and performance
- Suzuki Vitara 1.4 Boosterjet Mild Hybrid: While smaller than the 1.5-litre full hybrid, the 1.4-litre turbocharged four-cylinder is the more powerful model, with 129PS. It gets a manual gearbox and can cover 0-62mph in 9.5 seconds in front-wheel drive form, 10.2 seconds with Allgrip all-wheel drive. Combined economy is 53.2mpg for the former, 47.8mpg for the latter.
- Suzuki Vitara 1.5 Full Hybrid: The full hybrid model is more efficient than the Boosterjet, but only just, getting 54.3mpg in SZ-T trim and 48.7mpg with all-wheel drive. Power comes from a hybrid-assisted 1.5-litre petrol, and it gets a six-speed automatic gearbox. 0-62mph takes 12.7 seconds in front-drive form and 13.5 seconds for the Allgrip.
What used Suzuki Vitara trim levels are available?
Suzuki has rejigged its trim lineup once or twice since the current Vitara has been on sale, but the three models listed below show the car in its most recent form. SZ5 is the best equipped and the only trim available with Allgrip all-wheel drive, but no model is mean on equipment. Keep an eye out for older 1.4-litre ‘S’ models, which got Allgrip as standard and are the sportiest Vitaras to drive.|
- The Suzuki Vitara Go comes as standard with 16-inch alloy wheels, LED headlights, automatic air conditioning, adaptive cruise control, and an infotainment screen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. It’s not available in Allgrip all-wheel drive form.
- The Suzuki Vitara SZ-T expands on the spec of the Go, with 17-inch alloys, DAB radio, LED projector headlights, a rear-view reversing camera, and chrome exterior trim.
- The Suzuki Vitara SZ5 gets all the kit of the SZ-T, plus polished alloy wheels, a panoramic sunroof, suede upholstery, keyless entry, front and rear parking sensors, and electric folding door mirrors. Allgrip is available on this model only.
Used Suzuki Vitara dimensions and boot size
The Suzuki Vitara’s dimensions are:
- Length: 4175mm
- Width: 1775mm
- Height: 1610mm
- Ground clearance: 175-185mm
The Suzuki Vitara’s boot size is:
- 289 litres (Full Hybrid) to 362 litres (Boosterjet)
- 642 litres (both models, rear seats folded)
Used Suzuki Vitara road tax
With the entire range now using hybrid powerplants, both engines get a small discount on annual VED or ‘road tax’ of £10. This brings the cost down to £180 per year, though some earlier models such as the non-hybrid 1.4-litre Boosterjet or the 1-litre Boosterjet will cost £190 in the 2024/2025 tax year. Prior to April 2017, VED was CO2-based, and this makes the older diesel versions cheapest, at only £20 in front-wheel drive form.
How much is it to insure a Suzuki Vitara?
The Vitara shouldn’t be especially expensive to insure for a car of this type, with insurance group ratings going from 21-22. You’ll pay less for some cars similar on price, such as the Nissan Juke (groups 12-15), but the Vitara still shouldn’t cost a fortune.
