Suzuki Vitara: Features explained

Remember the big and burly Suzuki Grand Vitara? That’s gone now and in its place is the new Suzuki Vitara. The car not only has a youthful look but it also has been raking in the numbers. It is slightly bigger than the SUV it replaces but doesn’t look so. That’s what modern design elements do. The 5-seater SUV from Suzuki has road presence in spades and you will not believe that the crafty company that they are, there is also a smaller Vitara Brezza available elsewhere. It is derived from the same platform and has a similar design as well. The engines though differ. On the same lines, here are features of the Suzuki Vitara that you should take a look at.

Design elements

It is said that most of the design cues of the new Suzuki Vitara hark back to the ones from the early 2000s. The clamshell bonnet for that matter, as well as the overall stance, corroborate this fact. Suzuki has given LED projector headlights. These not only save energy but also look stylish in the process. A blue cover is reserved for one of the assemblies and it makes the Vitara look uber cool. There is also a thin LED strip near the fog lights. It is a DRL unit. Depending on the variant selected, one can avail of 16-inch alloy wheel or a 17-inch polished alloy. LED strips are present in the name of tail lights while dual exhausts too have been provided for. For the GLX trims, a dual tone paint scheme is being offered while the rest of the trims get a monotone color.

Inside features

A 10-inch touchscreen system that is Android powered takes centre stage here. This one also has inbuilt navigation. Bluetooth phone connectivity is another feature which is available. The steering wheel is similar to the unit seen on other Suzuki cars. It also boasts controls for the audio, telephony as well as cruise control. A speed limiter is part of the deal. The steering wheel is adjustable for both rakes as well as reach. This includes 36 mm of telescopic and 40 mm of tilt adjustment. Suzuki has given single-zone automatic climate control in the new Vitara. The seat height adjuster for the driver has a fore-aft range of 51 mm and an up-down range of 59 mm.

Automatic headlamps, wipers, power adjustable mirrors, auto close function mirrors, day/night IRVM, push-button start, keyless entry, automatic tailgate opening, and cooled glovebox are some of the other features.

The upholstery is done in suede leather. There is an armrest for the driver as well as for the rear passengers. Two power sockets are also on offer. Suzuki gives a panoramic sunroof. The company claims that both the panes sit on top of each other and hence don’t intrude into boot space. Speaking of which, the boot capacity is 375 litres. It can be further enhanced by toppling the rear bench.

Engine and transmission

For the sake of nostalgia, Suzuki still offers the Vitara with a 1.6-litre petrol engine. If you check facts, the older Vitara also had a 2.4-litre V6 engine. However, the latest Suzuki Vitara doesn’t get it. The 1.6-litre 4-cylinder 16 valve petrol engine produces 154 PS of power and 156 Nm of peak torque. This engine is mated to a 6-speed automatic transmission. On the GLX grade, there are paddle shifters on offer as well.

Hill Hold Assist is on offer as well. Power is sent to the front wheels and unfortunately, there isn’t an AWD version available. The claimed mileage of the Suzuki Vitara is a lofty 20.3 kmpl. Considering the 50-litre capacity of the fuel tank, the Vitara should be able to cover around 1,000 km before needing a refuel.

Safety gadgets

The Suzuki Vitara has received a five-star rating from the Euro NCAP. The model tested is the same as the one we receive here. The Vitara specs include six airbags including curtain airbags, ABS with EBD, electronic stability program, brake pedal release system, front as well as rear parking sensors, reverse camera, brake assist and pedestrian protection.

Final words

Suzuki has equipped the new Vitara to the gills as is evident from the aforementioned discussion. There is also the factor of the price. The Suzuki Vitara price in the Philippines starts from Php 913,000 for the GL, Php 988,000 for the GL+ and Php 1,098,000 for the GLX.