For just five years there has been something like a mini SUV segment on the German car market - and it is already overcrowded. In the beginning, you could still count typical representatives such as Nissan Juke, Mini Countryman or Opel Mokka on one hand, but today it is teeming with jacked-up small cars in off-road style. It is not easy for other newcomers to attract attention. Of the Suzuki Vitara deserved it.
Actually, Suzuki was always at the forefront when it came to mini SUVs - but hardly anyone noticed that. With the SX4 S, the Japanese had already taken 2006 a first step in the direction, but apparently a little early. The 2013 presented successor model SX4 S-Cross therefore tended significantly more in the direction of compact SUVs, without really going into Tiguan dimensions and dimensions. Overall, the range of small crossover models at the brand has recently seemed somewhat undecided and colorless.
The Vitara positioned below the S-Cross now forms the contrast program: briskly drawn, with a jagged chassis and comparatively powerful engines, it gives the virile fun in the segment. In particular, the optics have been successful in comparison with the staid SX-4 models. However, one should not be bothered by an amazing resemblance to the Range Rover Evoque. The Suzuki goes through as a tribute at best, but is more like a low-budget copy. Especially at the rear, where the designers have apparently left lust or financial resources.
At least the former was still present in the interior, where you could get the most out of the rather simple materials. There was even room for playful things like the analog clock in the dashboard, which is otherwise only known from higher-class vehicles. On request, there are even Japanese characters on the dial.
The Vitara is only available with 88 kW / 120 PS â € “regardless of whether you choose the diesel or the petrol engine. The only two engines available are also the same in terms of displacement (1,6 liters). The tested auto-igniter gets off to a good start after a small starting weakness - mainly because it has a grateful task with the lightweight Vitara. The SUV weighs no 1.400 kilograms, even with a heavy diesel engine and all-wheel drive. The Vitara easily meanders through the city traffic towards the local exit sign, in order to demonstrate its full agility on the country road. If you then switch the drive mode switch of the optional all-wheel drive to Sport mode, you will feel that the Vitara comes from the same family as the agile small car Swift. Speaking of all-wheel drive: it does not work permanently like the predecessor Grand Vitara (apart from the terminological similarity a completely different car), but only switches on the rear axle when there is loss of traction. In the sport setting, part of the engine power is also directed backwards when starting off and accelerating, which further supports the agile driving experience, but makes little difference in everyday life on dry roads.
The weak point in the driving fun package is the diesel - even if it does a good job overall (especially with its practical consumption of around five liters). But the harsh sound, at the latest at the speed of the freeway, the muscle weakness in the speed cellar, combined with rather restrained joy of turning, and last but not least the high costs give rise to the desire for a petrol engine. But not according to the current alternative range in the Vitara range, even if only the technical data can be used for its evaluation. 156 Nm at 6.000 revolutions, however, suggest a rather strained and in practice thirsty combination. We can only hope that the possible small turbo petrol engine for the next Swift Sport will also move into the Vitara. Then maybe the little four-wheel drive could unfold its full potential.
Until then, the Vitara can also keep up as a diesel in the league of sporty-oriented mini SUVs - at least for frequent drivers. 24.790 Euro are due for the four-wheel drive model, the version with front-wheel drive is 2.000 Euro cheaper. The equipment with automatic climate control, adaptive cruise control and 17 inch rims is already neat. The toughest competitors are the Nissan Juke (diesel with 81 kW / 110 PS, only front-wheel drive, from 21.450 Euro) and the Mazda CX-3 (diesel with 77 kW / 105 PS, front-wheel drive from 21.990 Euro, all-wheel drive from 26.950 Euro).
Author: Holger Holzer / SP-X