Suzuki ALLGRIP intelligent four-wheel drive available as an option on SZ5 models.
With Suzuki’s new Vitara you can now get muddy in style writes Geraldine Herbert
What is it? Suzuki has revived an old name for their all new Vitara. This the fourth generation of their popular SUV bears no resemblance to previous versions and is set to rival the likes of the Peugeot 2008, Nissan’s Juke and Renault’s Captur.
First impressions of the new Suzuki Vitara? Sleek and very stylish there is more than a hint of current Land Rover design about the Vitara.
What about the interior? Slip behind the wheels and space for both front and rear passengers is good and the high driving position allows a decent view of the road ahead. Some of the fittings feel a little plasticky though but there are some very smart details throughout including the air vents and circular clocks.
And off the road? We had an opportunity to drive the 1.6-litre DDiS ALLGRIP, which has plenty of power, yet is quiet enough not to bother you. The Allgrip system shifts power to different wheels depending on the conditions you encounter. A selectable snow or mud option helps you out even more when the going gets tough. Off road it proved very capable and more than sufficient for anything the average commute can throw at it.
How much? Available with 1.6-litre petrol or 1.6-litre DDiS engines, both with 120PS. There are three trims to choose from SZ4, SZ-T and SZ5, priced from £13,999 for 1.6 petrol SZ4 with two wheel drive. Urban and Rugged option packs are also available at £500. The model tested at the launch was the 1.6 DDiS SZ5 ALLGRIP priced at £21,299. A Six speed automatic gearbox will also be an option on the petrol option this Summer.
The luggage area has a capacity of 375 litres (VDA) with the rear seat in its upright position.
Any other options? There are 10 body colour possibilities including a very chic Atlantis Turquoise Pearl Metallic while Horizon Orange Metallic is the one to go for to stand out. There are also options to personalise the Instrument panel trim, Ventilation louvre rings and the c.entrally located clock.
How safe? Electronic Stability control helps keep the car on the road if you have to swerve suddenly and each Vitara car comes stuffed with seven airbags. The four-wheel-drive system will kick in when the going gets tough and there is also a tyre pressure monitoring system (TPMS). Plus you have the very reassuring five stars rating awarded recently to the Vitara by the EuroNCAP.
3 words to describe the Suzuki Vitara: Refined; Reliable; Robust
| Model | Vehicle OTR Price |
| 1.6 SZ4 | £13,999 |
| 1.6 SZ-T | £15,499 |
| 1.6 SZ5 | £17,999 |
| 1.6 SZ5 ALLGRIP | £19,799 |
| 1.6 DDiS SZ-T | £16,999 |
| 1.6 DDiS SZ5 | £19,499 |
| 1.6 DDiS SZ5 ALLGRIP | £21,299 |
| Urban Pack (for SZ-T & SZ5) | £500 |
| Rugged Pack (for SZ-T & SZ5) | £500 |
| Metallic Paint (for all models) | £430 |
| Dual-tone Paint (for SZ-T & SZ5) | £800 |
For more information check out Suzuki.co.uk, the Suzuki facebook page or follow them on twitter here
Geraldine Herbert
27th April, 2015
Follow Us!