Suzuki Vitara 1.6 DDiS GLX ALLGRIP

Inside there is a comprehensive list of active and passive safety equipment

Inside there is a comprehensive list of active and passive safety equipment

Suzuki’s little SUV combines winning traits of space, style and flexibility writes Geraldine Herbert

What is it? If we needed any more proof that Crossovers are the fastest growing segment in the car market, the recent launch of five new arrivals confirms this and Suzuki Vitara is one of the latest to join the fray.

Who is it aimed at? Suzuki’s fourth generation Vitara comes hot on the heels of the Jeep Renegade, Fiat 500X, SsangYong Tivoli and Mazda CX-3 in the quest to be the ideal car for families who have outgrown the average hatchback

Styling? It’s more than 25 years since the original Vitara was launched, and while Suzuki may have revived an old name, this new version bears no resemblance to the original. Sleek and very stylish, there is more than a hint of current Land Rover design about the Vitara. The choice of colours are bold with four very striking two-tone options available. While orange metallic trimmed with a black metallic roof is the colour of choice for standing out at the school gate, there are more subtle options.

Under the Bonnet? There are two engines to choose from, a 1.6 in petrol or diesel. Both manage to produce 118bhp but the diesel has double the amount of torque with 320Nm.

What about inside? Head-turning looks are matched by an equally funky interior packed with clever details, including quirky air vents and circular clocks. Some of the fittings, however, feel a little plastic and the touchscreen is particularly fiddly. The 375-litre boot comes with a very handy adjustable floor and is more than capable of handling the rigours of family life without too much fuss.

With all the seats in place the boot can swallow 375 litres

With all the seats in place the boot can swallow 375 litres

On the Road? The 1.6 diesel engine does 0-100 in 12.4 seconds but feels punchier, with a top speed of 180km/h and more than enough power to blaze your own trail on the M50. The six-speed gear box is smooth and easy to shift, but the steering is a little vague, and at higher speeds, it is far too light.

And Safety?  The Vitara is, crucially for families, also very safe, earning a maximum five stars in the new, tougher 2015 Euro NCAP crash-safety test.

Options? Available in three trims, GL, GL+ and GLX, prices start from €19,995 and go up to €27,995 for the flagship version, our test car, the 1.6 DDiS GLX ALLGRIP. Standard equipment is good, whichever trim you pick, but if you want four-wheel drive then the top spec GLX diesel is the only one to offer it.

Will it break the bank? The Vitara is well priced  and starts from €19,999 our test car, the 1.6 DDiS GLX ALLGRIP is priced from €27,995. Running costs are also reasonable and our test car returns  4.2 litre per 100k or 67 mpg on a mix of urban and city driving and Co2 emissions of 111g/km  means it costs €200 a year to tax.

Verdict? The Vitara is competitively priced, well equipped and very safe. On the downside the interior is awash with harsh plastics but if you opt for the diesel with Allgrip you get a very capable off-roader. The new Vitara is the kind of car that Suzuki has built its reputation on and offers up an appealing package for those drivers looking to step away from the pack.

 

Why you’ll buy one? Competitively priced; Well equipped; Very safe.

Why you won’t? Interior plastics; Light steering

 

Rivals

Jeep Renegade – priced from €22,950
Fiat 500X – priced from €19,750
Mazda CX-3 priced from €20,695

 

Suzuki Vitara 1.6 DDiS GLX ALLGRIP.

Engine: 1,586cc,   (120bhp) @6000, 156NM @4,400
Max speed:  170km/h
0-100 kph:  
9.9 seconds
Emissions (Motor Tax) :
  119 g/km (Band A4 €200)
Model price range;€19,995  (Test car €27,995)
No of Doors: 5 doors
Euro NCAP : 5 stars
Fuel type:  Diesel
Fuel Economy (combined cycle): 4.2 l/100km (67 mpg)
Boot Capacity Seats up(Seats down): 375(710) litres
Car Seats: 2 Isofix fittings in the rear
Length: 4175mm
Width: 1775mm
Height: 1610mm
Wheelbase: 2,500 mm

 

For more information check out Suzuki.ie, the  Suzuki facebook page or follow them on twitter here

 

 Geraldine Herbert

22nd of July, 2015

 

Author: Geraldine Herbert

Motoring Editor and Columnist for the Sunday Independent and editor of wheelsforwomen. Geraldine is also a regular contributor to Good Housekeeping (UK), EuroNews and to RTÉ, Newstalk, TodayFM, BBC Radio and Vigin Media. You can follow Geraldine on Twitter at @GerHerbert1

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