ON THE FRONT FOOT
VALUE
Deals on the range-topping GLX start from $29,990 drive-away. Those with no off-roading intentions (that is, most drivers) can tick the front-drive option and save about $4000. The GLX gets 17-inch alloys, seven-inch touchscreen with smartphone mirroring, pushbutton start, driver’s colour display and suede trimmed seats. Two-tone paintwork — the particularly striking combo of black roof with red, turquoise, ivory, grey or yellow matches the Vitara’s personality — is worth the extra $1430. Warranty is just three years or 100,000km but it can be extended to five years/140,000km by maintaining dealer capped-price servicing. Intervals are short at six months/10,000km so you’ll pay about $2660 for 10 visits.
COMFORT
Suede-trimmed seats with white stitching and geometric patterns, plus the silver finish across the dash, improve the ambience, a common Suzuki theme apart from the squared-off Jimny. Predominantly black, the surfaces are basic but easy to keep in good condition with plenty of after-sales sprays keeping them like new. Boot space of 375L is good for only a couple of bags but the rear seats drop flat to provide 710L for awkward parcels or sports gear.
SAFETY
Series II delivers key benefits, with the likes of adaptive cruise control to keep a safe distance from vehicles ahead on the highway, autonomous emergency braking to apply the brakes if the driver doesn’t react quickly enough, plus blind spot monitor, rear cross traffic alert, lane keeping assist and parking sensors front and back. The Vitara maintains its five-star ANCAP rating from 2015 — whether it would keep it now under much tougher criteria is uncertain but the additions bring it closer to the competition.
DRIVING
The zesty four-cylinder turbo responds well to the throttle. The base model has been criticised for being gutless but the GLX engine is far more perky. The red “turbo” badging on the boot shouts its abilities but don’t expect to be thrust back into the suede pews every time the right foot heads for the firewall. Power delivery is linear rather than abrupt.
ALTERNATIVES
Funky little 2WD with a current deal adding more than $3000 of accessories. Power comes from a 2.0-litre four-cylinder (110kW/180Nm).
Another solid all-rounder, with a slightly smaller boot than the Vitara.
One of the segment’s biggest sellers, with good looks, solid specification list and 2.0-litre fourcylinder (110kW/195Nm). Extremely small boot at 264L and not as roomy as the Suzuki.
VERDICT
Those seeking a solid all-rounder will find the Vitara a fine friend for families and empty nesters.