Shining our hubcaps
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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.
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.
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.
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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).
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’s dimensions are:
The Suzuki Vitara’s boot size is:
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.
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.
£25,999
£13,991
What is the most popular colour for Suzuki Vitara ?
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What is the average mileage for Suzuki Vitara ?
23453
How many Suzuki Vitara cars are available for sale?
106
