Suzuki Vitara

Vitara offers affordable motoring that still packs a punch

Andrew Walker grabs himself a bargain with a week in the Suzuki Vitara

Suzuki may not be the first name that springs to mind when you’re considering your next company vehicle. However, if you look a little closer, you’ll find a brand that offers customers a wide choice of cars, great value for money, bullet-proof reliability and a fleet package that may also surprise you.

Take the updated Vitara for example. A series of updates have moved it from a fairly basic vehicle into one that can really compete in higher company. In 2018 there was just a choice of two petrol engines, a 1.0 litre and 1.4 litre petrol, but in 2020 Suzuki updated the engines again, this time opting for a 1.4 petrol Boosterjet hybrid-only version across all three model specs; SZ4, SZ-T and SZ5.

The exterior updates from the 2018 refresh remain; more importantly, the 2020 version add a host of new safety features, including Dual Sensor Brake Support, Blind Spot Monitor, Rear Cross Traffic Alert, Traffic Sign Recognition and Adaptive Cruise Control.

We were testing the 1.4-litre Boosterjet Hybrid All Grip SZ5 4WD version, with an OTR price of £26,549. All versions come with 16” or 17” alloy wheels, as well as body-coloured bumpers and door mirrors. Seven airbags are fitted across the range, including a driver’s knee airbag and both Bluetooth and DAB radio are also standard. Other standard features on the SZ-T include stop/start, air-con, steering wheel mounted audio controls, USB, front fog lights, daytime LED projector headlamps, rear parking camera, three-spoke leather steering wheel, a tyre pressure monitoring system, ABS with EBD and Brake Assist function, ESP (Electronic Stability Program) and Hill hold control. And, bringing the range right up to date Apple CarPlay and Android Auto now feature right across the range.

Our test model SZ5 also featured a panoramic sun roof, keyless entry and start and with 17” polished alloys. This was the 4WD version, featuring ALLGRIP 4-mode 4WD system featuring snow and sport functions.

Price wise, the Vitara range starts from £21,999 for entry SZ5, mid-range SZ-T from £22,999 and range topping SZ5 from £24,999. All are powered by the identical performing 1.4 petrol engine mated to a 6-speed manual gearbox. Maximum speed is 118mph, 0-62 mph takes 9.5 seconds and there’s 129bhp. on tap. CO2 emissions come in at 128g/km on all models, except the 140g/km on the ALLGRIP. WLTP combined fuel economy at 49.7mpg.

If you’ve driven any current Suzuki, the interior will be familiar to you. It’s all well made and looks and feels built to last. The plastic dash tops and dash front add some style and are good quality, though the plastic used lower down, on door pockets and the glove box front, aren’t quite as nice. Nevertheless, the cabin’s a pleasant place to be – and is far more spacious, with better storage, than its rivals.

Getting comfortable is easy; there’s a rake and reach steering wheel and you can make back, forth and height adjustments to the seat. Dominating the dashboard is the infotainment touchscreen which can also be operated from the steering wheel controls. The system features a neat four-way split screen to access the main options. The four variants available through the touchscreen are Media, Phone, SatNav and finally Smartphone. All can be accessed relatively easily either by touching the screen, or via the steering wheel controls. I connected my iPhone to the Bluetooth quickly and easily and found that using this while moving was straightforward, as was the Apple CarPlay. The SatNav was intuitive and unlike many radios I could mention, the DAB system was spot on.

Behind the wheel you’ll find the six-speed manual gearbox smooth and the steering light, making the Vitara easy to drive. You simply point and go. The 1.4 petrol engine is nippy even when there’s more than one of you on board.

On a couple long motorway jaunts, where the adaptive cruise control was excellent, I found that the cabin can be a little noisy. I also took the Vitara out on some local B roads and winding country lanes and although these were bumpy, the suspension dealt with them easily and even feels supple, working well with the power steering to give a comfortable ride. Furthermore, the squat Vitara offers little or no body roll and I had no complaints from my passengers in the rear.

I mentioned the ALLGRIP 4WD system earlier. This would plainly be great in the winter, particularly if you live in a hilly area. To access this there’s a small dial located between the front seats which enables you to choose the default Auto mode, Snow or Sport depending on your needs. As it was October I drove only in Auto mode and found it perfect for my needs, returning an average of 44.3 mpg in the week.

Will the Vitara attract the gaze of small businesses? Business users have leased an awful lot of SUVs in recent years and the SME company car driver is a target for Suzuki with the Vitara. From a cost perspective, with the range starting from £21,999, it’s a steal. Perhaps the only negative is that the new 1.4 Hybrid engines doesn’t offer a lower BIK; expect 30 and 33 per cent.

It’s a tough market for the Vitara; it’s up against Volkswagen T-Roc, Citroen C3 Aircross, Skoda Kamiq, SEAT Arona and Peugeot 2008. It may lack a bit of style, but it counters by being more spacious than these, is better equipped and packs a serious punch as a proper-sized family car. The addition of extra safety and connected Apps are also a plus. And, as Auto Express will validate, Suzuki also offers impressive reliability.

With contact hire rates, as we write, for the mid-range SZ-T starting at only £179 a month + vat, it is in our opinion, a veritable bargain and well worth seeking out.

VERDICT Affordable doesn’t just mean cheap; the Vitara has plenty to offer, in addition to that low monthly cost. A Home Bargain, as far as CC&V’s concerned CC&V RATING:

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