The hybrid model only offers marginally better fuel economy than the Boosterjet version, so unless you need the former’s automatic gearbox (although we’d recommend avoiding Suzuki’s one completely), the manual offers a better driving experience.
Suzuki owners are a loyal bunch, and while the company sells in relatively low volumes in the UK, there are enough fans of the marque out there to sing its praises. The 2024 Driver Power survey saw the company finish 19th out of 32 marques, beating some much bigger names in the process.
The Vitara comes with a three-year/60,000-mile warranty. However, Suzuki also offers a ‘service activated’ warranty that can cover the car for up to seven years or a total of 100,000 miles. Simply book a service at a Suzuki franchise, and 12 months of extra cover is added to the warranty. Those service intervals are scheduled for every 12,500 miles or 12 months, whichever comes first.
Suzuki Vitara alternatives
When the Suzuki Vitara Mk4 first arrived, there were a handful of rivals to choose from, but since then we’ve seen an explosion of the choice in the small SUV market. Our favourites in the class include the Renault Captur (a great-value all-rounder), Ford Puma (fun to drive), Mazda CX-30 (good to drive and a premium feel inside) and Toyota Yaris Cross (efficient hybrid powertrains). Elsewhere, the SEAT Arona, Volkswagen T-Cross, and Volkswagen Taigo share tech, while the Skoda Kamiq straddles a line between SUV and crossover, but is a very practical vehicle. Other options include the Citroen C3 Aircross, Vauxhall Mokka, Peugeot 2008 and Fiat 600, all of which use the same platform and powertrains, including all-electric, while the Hyundai Bayon and Kia XCeed and Kia Stonic are also worth considering.
Suzuki Vitara SZ5: long-term test
In 2016, our creative director, Darren Wilson, spent 10 months behind the wheel of a pre-facelift Suzuki Vitara in fully loaded SZ5 trim. His car came with a highly economical diesel engine that was available at the time, providing frugal motoring for 8,000 miles.
That being said, he found the engine noisy and agricultural. He also found that the interior quality wasn’t up to the class standard, and did, in fact, have some issues with loose trim during his ownership.
Frequently Asked Questions
It’s an okay choice, but there are plenty of alternatives that offer a better range of abilities. It has never been a class leader, but it offers a dependable and reliable driving experience, and its relatively light weight and sprightly engine mean it’s one of the better cars to drive in the class.
