Suzuki Vitara AllGrip XLED - raw crossover
While the name and styling refer to the larger Grand Vitary that just ended its market life, the newest Vitara is aimed at a completely different recipient. At least in terms of marketing. But what does the new crossover of the Japanese brand actually offer and who will like it?
The B-segment crossover market is becoming richer and more diverse. It includes models with off-road ambitions like the Jeep Renegade, absolutely urban ones like the Renault Captur or Citroen C4 Cactus, and the rest try to fit in somewhere in between. Before me is an attempt to find an answer to the question of where to place the latest Suzuki offer in this whole company.
Looking at the design of the new Vitar, I'm glad that Suzuki doesn't have a consistent look policy for their models and each one is made from scratch. This time, instead of the quirky peregrine-head-inspired headlights of the SX4 S-Cross, we have a classic look reminiscent of the outgoing Grand Vitary. This can be seen not only in the shape of the headlights, but also in the side line of the windows or the hood that overlaps the fenders. In keeping with current fashion, the new model has moldings on the doors that transform into the "muscles" of the rear fenders. For the Grand, the spare tire mounted on the side-opening tailgate has been removed. This is clear evidence that the Suzuki Vitara is not even trying to pretend to be an SUV, but is trying to join the group of increasingly popular B segment crossovers. The buyer can order a two-tone body, wheels and interior elements in several bright colors to choose from. In our case, the Vitara received a black roof and mirrors and turquoise inserts on the dashboard to match the body, as well as LED headlights.
I don't know if the Suzuki's turquoise is really turquoise. On the other hand, I am convinced that it successfully enlivens a rather average interior. The instrument panel with round air vents is nothing special and is made of hard and not very spectacular plastic. Looking at the clock or air conditioner panel, it is easy to recognize the brand, these elements are typical for Suzuki models. But the star here is the new 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system. It offers access to radio, multimedia, telephone and navigation, and its sensitivity and response speed are technologically indistinguishable from smartphone screens. There's a volume slider on the left side of the screen, but it's sometimes hard to hit, especially on uneven surfaces. The multifunctional steering wheel with classic radio control buttons comes to the rescue.
Vitara, as befits a crossover, offers fairly high seats. They are well enough outlined, but not too adequate to the character of the car. It is a pity that there are no central armrests, we will not get them even in the highest trim levels. However, there is plenty of room in the middle, even at the rear, despite the much shorter wheelbase (4cm) than the SX250 S-Cross. Above our heads, it may not be just in the back seat when we order the Vitara with the largest two-piece sunroof in the class. It opens completely, one part is classically hidden under the roof, the other goes up. Fans of opening roofs will be delighted, unfortunately, it can be ordered not in all trim levels, but only in the most expensive XLED AllGrip Sun (PLN 92).
Large wheels combined with a modest wheelbase and a length of just over four meters (417 cm) do not imply much comfort when accessing the cabin, but in practice they do not interfere. It is easy to get into the cabin, access to the rear seat is much better than, for example, in the Fiat 500X. In addition, the Vitara's height (161 cm) made it possible to place a quite decent trunk (375 liters). Its floor can be installed at two heights, thanks to which the backs of the rear sofa, when folded, form a plane with it without an uncomfortable step.
Vitara took over from the SX4 S-Cross not only the floor plate, albeit a shortened one, but also the drives. Diesel DDiS is not offered in Poland, so the buyer is necessarily doomed to a single gasoline unit. This is the latest incarnation of the 16-liter M1,6A engine, which has been known for many years, and now develops 120 hp. The engine itself, gearbox (for an additional PLN 7 you can order a CVT) and the optional Allgrip drive were taken from the SX4 S-Cross model. What does it mean?
The absence of supercharging, a sixteen-valve timing and a relatively high power per liter of displacement are expressed in its characteristics. Peak torque of 156 Nm is only available at 4400 rpm. In practice, the desire to use the capabilities of the engine means the need to use high speeds. The first attempts to overtake show that the engine is reluctant to do this, as if terribly tired. The drive mode dial with Sport inscription comes to the rescue. Activating it improves throttle response and is sure to please drivers who love dynamic driving. Sport mode will make it easier to overtake, but will affect fuel economy by transferring some of the torque to the rear wheels.
The Suzuki engine offers many options for fuel economy. In urban conditions, Vitara consumes 7-7,3 liters for every 100 km. Driving dynamically on the road using Sport mode makes no difference here, but lowering the tone produces amazing results. The value of 5,9 l / 100 km is achieved without any sacrifice on the part of the driver, but this is by no means the limit of the capabilities of this unit. With a little effort, we will give up senseless overtaking and not exceed the speed of 110 km / h, Vitara, despite the drive on both axles, will pay off with surprisingly low fuel consumption. In my case, the value of 200 l / 4,7 km was reached at a distance of almost 100 km. However, I must add that it wasn't hot that day, so I didn't use air conditioning during this attempt.
Despite being able to select the Sport mode, the character of the car is quite calm and comfort-oriented. The suspension is soft and dives deep when navigating sleeping cops or potholes on a dirt road, but it's still hard to bring down. If we do not overdo it, it will not make any disturbing sounds. On the other hand, it provides confident handling at higher speeds even on badly paved roads, and the stabilizers ensure that the body does not roll too much in corners.
Another new Suzuki feature besides the infotainment system is adaptive cruise control. It is able to adapt the speed to the vehicle in front and does not turn off with every gear change. It offers a lot of comfort and lets you forget about a manual transmission with only five gears or a higher cabin noise level than the competition.
In terms of safety, Vitara offers a complete set of airbags, including knee protection, and a set of electronic assistants as standard (from PLN 61). The AllGrip versions (from PLN 900) are additionally equipped with a hill descent assistant, while higher performance versions are equipped with an RBS (Radar Brake Support) system. It is designed to protect against a collision with a vehicle in front, mainly in urban areas (works up to 69 km / h). Unfortunately, the system is hypersensitive, so it screams loudly to the driver every time he does not keep enough distance.
Have you forgotten the AllGrip all-wheel drive system? No, absolutely not. However, this system does not notice his presence on a daily basis. Suzuki decided to bet on "automation". There is no universal 4×4 mode here. By default, we drive in automatic mode, which decides for itself whether the rear axle should support the front axle. Low fuel consumption is guaranteed, but if necessary, the rear axle comes into play. Both axles operate in Sport and Snow modes, although they differ in the amount of torque produced by the engine. If there is a need to break through more difficult off-road, the Lock function will come in handy, blocking the 4x4 drive up to a speed of 80 km / h. In this case, most of the torque goes to the rear wheels. However, we must not forget that despite the rather large ground clearance of 185 mm, we are no longer dealing with a purely SUV.
To sum up, Vitara is a specific car. Designed as a fashion gadget, it is a fairly strict crossover. Despite its urban character and basic front-wheel drive, it's easier to imagine it with rubber floor mats smeared with dried mud up to the roof than shiny chrome accessories in front of an opera house. The purely utilitarian character is supported by, among other things, not very sophisticated materials, which will be appreciated by drivers who find it difficult to keep the car clean. The optional AllGrip drive will satisfy most gardeners, anglers, hunters and nature lovers and provide increased safety without compromising the economy.
Pros: low fuel consumption, sensitive screen of the multimedia system, spacious interior
Cons: below average finish quality, high noise level, RBS too sensitive
