The Suzuki Vitara has established itself as a reliable contender in the competitive SUV market. With its blend of practicality, efficiency, and distinctive styling, this compact SUV offers an appealing package for families and urban drivers alike. As we delve into the details of the Vitara lineup, including the Grand Vitara and the new e-Vitara, we’ll explore what makes these vehicles stand out in today’s crowded automotive landscape.
Design and Exterior Features
The Suzuki Vitara presents a refreshing approach to SUV design. Unlike many competitors that feature polarized fascias and sharp angles, the Vitara sports a more rounded and edgy-shaped exterior that gives it a fresh and striking appearance. This distinctive styling helps it stand out in parking lots filled with lookalike crossovers.
The Grand Vitara, Maruti Suzuki’s offering in this lineup, measures 4345 mm in length and 1795 mm in width, with a wheelbase of 2600 mm. These dimensions create a vehicle that’s substantial enough to have road presence but compact enough for easy urban maneuverability. With a ground clearance of 210 mm, the Grand Vitara is well-equipped to handle rough roads and mild off-road conditions.
One of the standout exterior features on higher trim levels is the panoramic sunroof, which adds a premium feel to the vehicle. However, it’s worth noting that this feature may reduce headroom for rear passengers. The vehicle also comes equipped with LED headlights that provide excellent visibility, particularly appreciated during night driving.
Interior Comfort and Space
Cabin Design and Materials
Step inside the Vitara, and you’ll find a spacious interior that can comfortably accommodate five adults. The cabin layout is ergonomic and contemporary, focusing on user-friendly design rather than flashy aesthetics. The front seats offer generous movement range, and the steering wheel can be adjusted for both rake and reach, ensuring drivers of various sizes can find their optimal position.
One criticism that appears in reviews is the use of hard plastics throughout the cabin. While these materials contribute to the vehicle’s durability and help keep production costs down, some users note that they detract from the premium feel of the interior.
Space and Practicality
The Vitara excels in providing passenger space, offering more room than many similarly-priced alternatives. Storage options include a center armrest compartment, a decently-sized cubby, and a phone storage shelf ahead of the gear lever. The front door bins can accommodate large water bottles, though they lack padding, which means smaller items might rattle around during drives.
For families, the Vitara includes practical features like ISOFIX child seat mounting points, ensuring little ones can travel safely and securely. The boot space, while not class-leading, provides adequate room for everyday needs and shopping trips.
Performance and Driving Experience
Engine Options and Efficiency
The Grand Vitara comes with multiple powertrain options to suit different driving preferences. The 1490 cc petrol engine generates 91.18 bhp at 5500 rpm and 122 Nm of torque between 3800-4800 rpm. This engine is available with both automatic and manual transmission options, offering flexibility for drivers who prefer different driving styles.
For those prioritizing fuel efficiency, the Grand Vitara delivers impressive numbers, with mileage ranging from 19.38 to 27.97 kmpl depending on the variant and driving conditions1. This makes it an economical choice for both city commuting and longer highway journeys.
The newest addition to the lineup, the e-Vitara, represents Suzuki’s move into the electric vehicle market. This EV variant features a 49 kWh battery capacity, generating 142 bhp and 192.5 Nm of torque. With a claimed range of 500 km, the e-Vitara addresses the range anxiety that often concerns potential EV buyers.
Handling and Ride Quality
On the road, the Vitara surprises drivers with its responsive handling and good body control around corners. Despite its tall stance, it maintains composure with minimal body lean when cornering, and grip levels are commendable. The optional all-wheel-drive system provides additional traction on slippery surfaces, with selectable driving modes including Auto, Sport, and Snow for road use, plus a Lock setting for challenging conditions.
In urban environments, the Vitara shines with its excellent all-round visibility, light controls, and suspension that effectively absorbs road imperfections and potholes. These characteristics make it particularly well-suited to city driving where maneuverability and comfort are priorities.
Highway performance is adequate, though some reviewers note that the engines need encouragement when overtaking or merging at speed3. Road and wind noise at higher speeds is also mentioned as being more noticeable than in some competitors, affecting refinement levels on longer journeys.
| Feature | Grand Vitara | e-Vitara |
|---|---|---|
| Engine Type | 1490 cc Petrol | Electric (49 kWh) |
| Max Power | 91.18 bhp | 142 bhp |
| Max Torque | 122 Nm | 192.5 Nm |
| Transmission | Manual & Automatic | Automatic |
| Mileage/Range | 19.38-27.97 kmpl | 500 km |
| Ground Clearance | 210 mm | Not specified |
| Seating Capacity | 5 | 5 |
| Length | 4345 mm | 4275 mm |
| Width | 1795 mm | 1800 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2600 mm | 2700 mm |
Technology and Features
Infotainment and Connectivity
Modern drivers expect their vehicles to keep them connected, and the Vitara doesn’t disappoint. Higher trim levels feature a 9.0-inch touchscreen with wireless smartphone connectivity, supporting both Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. This system allows for seamless integration of your mobile device, giving access to navigation, music streaming, and communication apps while on the move.
The audio system includes four speakers in standard configurations, with some variants adding tweeters for improved sound quality. Steering wheel-mounted audio controls allow for safer adjustment while driving, and Bluetooth connectivity is integrated into the audio unit for hands-free calling.
Safety Features and Driver Assistance
Safety is clearly a priority in the Vitara’s design, with an impressive array of standard and optional features. The vehicle comes equipped with multiple airbags, including front, side, curtain, and even a driver’s knee airbag in some variants.
Driver assistance technologies include adaptive cruise control, lane departure warning and prevention, blind spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert. The Vitara also features a driver monitoring system that can detect signs of fatigue or distraction, enhancing safety on longer journeys.
Parking is made easier with a rear-view camera and parking sensors, while emergency brake support provides additional confidence in urban driving scenarios. Traffic sign recognition helps drivers stay aware of speed limits and other road regulations.
For families, child safety features include ISOFIX mounting points, childproof rear door locks, and three-point seatbelts with pretensioners and force limiters.
Owner Experiences and Reliability
Real-world feedback from Grand Vitara owners provides valuable insights into the ownership experience. Many praise the vehicle’s fuel efficiency, comfort, and overall value proposition. One owner described it as “a stylish and comfortable ride, offering good fuel efficiency” and “a decent all-around vehicle with a solid set of features”.
The Grand Vitara receives particular commendation for its spacious cabin, road presence, and performance. Several owners mention the low maintenance costs as a significant advantage, making it an economical choice for long-term ownership.
However, not all feedback is positive. Some owners report issues with the Android Auto connectivity, with one describing it as “an utter waste” due to voice control problems. Others mention that the interior quality could be improved, particularly regarding the materials used.
Reliability appears to be a strong point for the Vitara, with owner surveys indicating that it’s a rugged and dependable SUV. The vehicle has had only three recalls over its lifetime, with the most serious being related to a potential rear axle failure.
Conclusion
The Suzuki Vitara stands as a compelling option in the compact SUV segment, offering a balanced blend of practicality, efficiency, and driving enjoyment. Its spacious interior, distinctive styling, and comprehensive safety features make it particularly suitable for families and urban dwellers seeking versatility without excessive bulk or fuel consumption.
While it may not match the premium feel of some competitors’ interiors, and some variants could benefit from more power for highway driving, the Vitara compensates with excellent visibility, good handling, and impressive fuel economy. The introduction of the e-Vitara also demonstrates Suzuki’s commitment to evolving with market trends toward electrification.
For buyers prioritizing value, reliability, and practical design over luxury appointments, the Suzuki Vitara deserves serious consideration. Its loyal owner base and positive feedback regarding running costs and everyday usability suggest that it delivers where it matters most for many drivers.
FAQs About the Suzuki Vitara
1. What is the fuel efficiency of the Suzuki Grand Vitara?
The Grand Vitara offers impressive fuel efficiency, with mileage ranging from 19.38 to 27.97 kmpl depending on the variant and driving conditions. The hybrid models tend to deliver the best fuel economy figures.
2. Does the Suzuki Vitara have good off-road capability?
While not designed as a hardcore off-roader, the Vitara with all-wheel drive offers decent capability on light off-road terrain. Its 210 mm ground clearance and selectable driving modes (including Snow and Lock settings) provide confidence on slippery or uneven surfaces.
3. How does the e-Vitara compare to other electric SUVs?
The e-Vitara offers a competitive 500 km range from its 49 kWh battery, placing it well among similarly sized electric SUVs. Its 142 bhp power output provides adequate performance for everyday driving, though detailed comparisons of charging speeds and efficiency will become clearer as more real-world data becomes available.
4. What are the main complaints from Vitara owners?
Common criticisms include the use of hard plastics in the interior, occasional connectivity issues with the infotainment system (particularly Android Auto), and some owners find the engine power insufficient for confident highway overtaking.
5. Is the Suzuki Vitara suitable for families?
Yes, the Vitara is well-suited to family use with its spacious five-seat interior, ISOFIX child seat mounting points, and comprehensive safety features. While some competitors offer larger cargo areas, the Vitara provides adequate space for everyday family needs in a compact, easy-to-park package.