ON THE ROAD – IAN LYNAS DRIVES THE REVISED SUZUKI VITARA HYBRID

If you require a value for money, well equipped medium sized SUV, then the revised Vitara from Suzuki is well worth looking at and recently I spent a week with one.

This hybrid continues to prove popular with buyers and for Suzuki it is a strong performer in their line-up in their overall model range. With refined styling styling and an improved level of standard equipment and technology, these three factors make it an excellent choice. We all like a choice and with Vitara, there is the Motion and Ultra grades and followers of this brand will recognise them from the S-Cross, Swace and highly popular Swift models. Here I go again on parking spaces, which in the main are simply just too neat; however with its compact dimensions, I found the Vitara was a breeze to park. Yet somehow despite its exterior dimensions you are welcomed with a spacious interior. Looks are important and this Suzuki model does look better than ever with a re-designed front grille and bumper, rear upper spoiler incorporating rear window side spoilers, new design 17 inch alloy wheels and the addition of new colour shades which are Sphere Blue Pearl metallic / Cosmic Black dual-tone and Titan Dark Grey metallic single tone finishes, both available optionally. Two tone does add to this vehicle, an arrangement that does not always gel. The latest Vitara continues to be available with hybrid as standard.

My test vehicle featured a six speed manual transmission which is mated to a 1.4 litre Booster jet turbocharged petrol engine with 48V mild hybrid. No concerns from me performance and easy on the pocket re fuel, all good news. With 129PS on tap, the sprint from rest to 100kph (62mph) takes just a whisker over ten seconds and on to a top speed of 195kph (121mph). Many months have elapsed since I took the wheel of a car with a manual transmission and driving this Suzuki reminded me that there are people out there who still wish to continue to change gears. Customers wanting the convenience of automatic, a full hybrid option with AGS transmission is available. Unique in the small SUV sector, both manual and AGS drivetrains are available with the option of 4WD with Vitara. Yes when the going gets tough, 4WD is very useful and not only for rough terrain, but especially during the winter months when roads with ice and snow can throw up quite a challenge. The vast majority of new sales today go in the direction of an SUV, may it be small, medium or large and I suspect the main reason, people desire a practical vehicle which the Vitara Hybrid certainly is and I had a venture to Fermanagh with my photo gear and along with other bits and pieces the practical side of this Suzuki shone through.

The overall package that the Vitara Hybrid delivers is good, a high level of safety features and technology, items which one would expect in a vehicle at a much higher price, but with Suzuki they do come up to the mark. Soon there will be a new chapter to the Vitara story with the arrival of an all-electric version; this will be the company’s first electric offering and while they may have come to the market a little late, it will be very interesting to see what they offer. There will be Motion and Ultra grades with a 61kWh battery and there will be ALLGRIP-e, an electric 4WD system. I aim to bring more news of this newcomer soon.

Ian Lynas