Top Car

January 2016|TOPCAR.CO.ZA 29

M

OST INDUSTRIESfollo w

a similar pattern: first you ge t

the avant-garde pioneering

types (Juke), follo wed by the

early adopters (Duster), then the

mainstream users (Ecosport) and finally the

party’s latecomers (Captur, Mokka, HR-V).

Nowadays, Suzukifalls into the latter ca tegory,

producing competent, agreeable cars that

might’ve been class-leading had they been

launched five ye ars earlier. The new SX4 versus

the old Qashqai? A fairfight. But against the

new Qashqai with its downsized turbos, torquey

diesels, touchscreen tech and haute-couture

looks – it’s a no-brainer.

It wa sn’t always this way. Remember the

pioneering 1988 Vitara? Asfor the Jimny, well, it

is stilltrending today. Into this scenario comes

the new Vitara – a compact SUV inthe spirit of

the 27-year-old original. Note: the current

Grand Vitara lives on unchanged, for

now. So, has a belated return to the

compact crossover/SUV party given

Suzukitime to prepare a winner?

Firs t impres sions are mixed. Yes, it’s

cohesively styled and inoffensive but it’s

also shor t on sculpture. This is not high

fashion – Suzukis seldom are – but there

are clever and on-trend facets scat tered

Get yours withcolour

-coded dashinsertsanda

Japanesescript clockface

around its urban Tonka purposefulness. These

include a contrast -colour ro of-and-pillars option

on all but ba se spec, vertically arranged daytime

running LEDs on topline GLX models and a

braceof visualupgrade packages called Urban

and Rugged. Choose Urban for morechrome

and a tailgate spoiler, or Rugged ifyou

appreciate such things as fauxskid plates.

The personalisation bent continues inside

where you can order colour-c oded dash, air vent

and clock surround inserts. Also available, and

frankly essential, is a clock face with Japanese

numerals –domoSuzuki, moreof this creativity

please. Standard across all models is visibly high

build integrity and a neatly designed fascia that

trades pr ogressive tech for sensible ergonomics

and fine functionality. Concerns are the ro of

linin g (long-te rmdurabi litylooks sket chy) and

the cheap footwellmouldings (made from

recycled plastics?). It is comfortable and

sufficiently roomy up front, less so inthe rear

due to high-mount cushions and upright

backrests. Also, the range-topping GLX’s suede

seat s offer less lateral support infaster corners

than lesser models’ cloth it ems – you’re doing it

wrong Wayne. Okay, so it’s not built for

cornering thrills, but it’s handy enough inthem

once you’ve acclimatised to the light steering’s

centre-point elasticity.

All Vitaras use Suzuki’s 1.6-litr e nata sp four

rated at 86kW and 151Nm, figures that don’t look

too thrilling inthis turbo age. The drivet rainis

rescued by awell-matched set of gearratios, a

pleasant shift action and a soundtrack that’s

never as thrashy as some of its Far East rivals.

Torque peaks at 4400rpm so it feels pretty

gutless on steeper inclines, forc ing frequent

downchanges. While the

Vitara is easy to live with

on tar, it is an absolute joy

on gravel, soakin g up ruts

with th e ease of an air-

sprung Prado. The

launch route nearKnynsa

comprised mainly tight

dirt ro ad passes that

highlighted the

Hungarian-built Vitara’s

Suzuki Vitara GLX AWD

PriceR3 19900 >Engine 1586 cc, 16v, 4cyl
petrol86kW @ 60 00rpm, 151Nm@ 44 00rpm
Transmission5-speed manual, FWD
Suspension:MacPhersonstrut front, torsion
beamrear>Performance0-100kph in 12.0sec,
180kph, 6.2ℓ/100km, 145gCO2/km>Length/
widt h/height:4175/1775/1610mm
Kerbweight: 116 0kg>On saleNow

rattle-free build, as wellas its hassle-free 4WD

operation. It’s no rock hopper but with its 4-

mode – Auto, Sport, Snow and Lock – system,

hilldescent control and 185mm ground

clearance, the AllGrip models are ge nuine

compact SUVs. Look out, Duster.

Standard equipment on the entry-le vel GL

model (R239900) includes 16-inch steelies, trip

computer, multifun ction steering wheel,

powered window s up front, air-con, 4-speaker

audio with CD, USB and Bl uetooth. ABS, ESP

and seven airbags head the list of safetyaspects.

GL+ (from R269900) adds a 4WD option

called AllGrip inSuzi-speak, 16-inch alloy

wheels, fog lamps, electric window s, cruise- and

climate contro l. Two flagship GLX derivatives

are on offer: a front-driver insix-speed auto

guise (R299900) and an AllGrip-equipped

five-speed manualversion priced at R319900.

Both feature 17-inch alloys, a panoramic

sunroof, low-beam LED projectors and DRLs,

suede upholstery, front and rear park ing

sensors, auto headlights and ke yless start.

Prices include a 4-year/60000kmservice plan.

Surpri singly likeab le, and competitivel y priced,

this broadly competent new Vitara has much to

offer. Ina fashion-friendly segment loaded with

chic protagonists it could use a bit morestyling

sass, but then it wouldn’t be true to its heritage,

and that’s something noneof its rivals can

claim.WAYNE BATTY

Duster

Buster

Another month, another

new compact crossover.

Suzuki revives the spirit

of the original Vitara

SUZUKI VITARA

HIGHS

Value, build quality

gravel travel

comfort

LOWS

Short ontorque

VERDICT

Capable and

comfortable. Will

makefriends easily

Suzuki Vitara GLX AWD

Capable and

comfortable. Will

makefriends easily