In my hands, this week, I have the diesel Suzuki Vitara with the 120 hp engine and the four-wheel drive. And, before I start judging, I wonder if, really, in the Price available (at 21.790 euros) has competition. That is, if one can find a all-wheel drive decent SUV on that money.
First, as regards the Design, the Suzuki model is modern, with harmonic lines and several angles, which emphasize the dual and timeless nature his. Design, has nothing to envy than the more expensive competition, especially if it is selected with the dichroism of the test us.
In... juice now, the new Vitara is not the off road animal, as once advertised by Japanese brand. The model with the now a legendary name, has refined over the years, evolving into a civilized SUV which can serve for financial travel in the city, comfortable travel, but also excursions. Why it may have become "child of the city", but did not lose the DNA of good old Vitara, as with the all-wheel drive can take you to parts... adventurous.
Pleasant. This is the word that can describe the symbiosis with a Vitara. The living room of the comfortable leather- alcantara seats, the retro, round analog clock in the middle of the dashboard, the whole layout, the many cases for small things and ergonomics, it certainly comes in handy. The driver easily finds the ideal position behind the sporty steering wheel and he's got everything he can ask for within arm's reach.
I think I'd prefer better quality plastics and possibly a better quality screen, but I have to accept that fbecome resistant, have very good fit and they work satisfactorily.
From spaces, things are very good, as travel comfortably four comfortable (five with a small concession) and their belongings will settle in the luggage compartment of 375 litres with its large opening and convenient shape.
On the road now, the Vitara is a surprise. Because he has a pleasant character, who offers convenience to the driver, at whatever rhythm or terrain choose to move. Η rolling quality is very good, while the lightweight steering wheel has good feel and response. Ο 1.600 diesel (of Fiat origin) DDiS has ample torque (320 Nm) from low (1,750 rpm.) and is perfectly combined with the six-speed automatic box, moving with characteristic comfort the, anyway, the deer bodywork of 1,295 kilos.
The function of the engine is civilized and vibration-free, with a low - and certainly not annoying - noise and plenty of pulling in whole range of the turns. This has response and consumption, which you would expect to be higher due to four-wheel drive, but it was around 6.5 litres/100 km during the test.
The Allgrip system Suzuki, controlled with a rotary switch in the centre of the console, next to the parking brake. From there, you can choose your mode of operation of all-wheel drive, choosing between modes Auto, Sport, Snow/Mud and having Lock option to lock the differential. In the option Car, you can move comfortable in the city, taking advantage of the automatic transmission, the torque reserves and start/stop for extra economy. At choice of sport, the engine response becomes more direct and if you turn the box to manual operation, changing from the paddles on the steering wheel, you'll get the sporty notes you thought you'd miss in an SUV.
The same successful is the Vitara and in fast pace. The adhesion margins of is increased, η general feeling that gives follows the very good of the steering wheel, leaves a light Sense. Surprise is the posts, which while absorb "softly" the anomalies of the Greek roads, in tight, twisted pieces, maintain the inclinations of the bodywork in logical frameworks and, certainly, they don't scare, while the brakes slow down satisfactorily in all conditions and do not show signs of fatigue.
The reasonable, now, it would be a refined SUV who's doing so well in the city and can to remind something to his driver from the... Swift Sport, to feel like "fish out of its waters", off the road. And yet. Considering that the distance from the ground reaches the 185 mm, you'll find he's doing just fine. At mud and sand, where we moved, with locked the differential and the allgrip in the position snow/mud, we had fun until we... overdo it, with no problems, except for the fact that the clutch smells quickly when pressed.
In conclusion, the Japanese SUV with the compact dimensions (along 4.175 mm) is not just a pleasant and economical solution -both in terms of the cost of ownership and the cost of use- for daily commuting and excursions to... wherever your heart desires, but a proposal that, at least as far as I'm concerned, is... difficult to resist one does.
