SOME cars just seem to have been around forever – for example the Suzuki Vitara, a common sight on our roads since 1988.
Now that shows Suzuki have been doing something right – even the current Hungarian-built fifth generation of this small SUV has been around for 10 years.
The Vitara has changed a bit in that time and now there is a facelift for 2025 with a redesigned front fascia and upgraded tech, including a bigger infotainment screen, improved the fuel economy with both 1.4 and 1.6 petrol engines available as a mild hybrid or full hybrid and an electric version due any time now.
Our test car was the 1.4-litre mild hybrid in top spec Ultra form with optional AllGrip 4×4 and special order Titan dark grey metallic paint resulting in an on the road price of £30,449.
It comes with a slick six-speed manual gearbox and quite sprightly performance as 0-62mph comes up in a respectable 9.5 seconds.
While the mild-hybrid version can’t drive on electricity alone the full fat option can but is a bit slower to 62mph taking 12.7 seconds, not helped by its standard auto gearbox. The Vitara comes with front-wheel drive as standard but can be upgraded to AllGrip for a more sure-footed drive.
Where the Vitara has always scored is on economy thanks to those frugal engines and its lightness – up to 60mpg and a kerb weight of just 1290kg for the 2025 version.
I spent a week of around town motoring as well as a weekend away in the Cotswolds and found the car very easy to live with – especially that frugal fuel consumption. The ride is firm but well-damped and the Vitara isn’t uncomfortable, even on long distance motoring.
The gear lever in our manual version is high-set and well-spaced out so falls easily to hand and most of the controls are logically laid out with physical buttons and dials for the climate control making it easier to make adjustments while you’re on the move and an easy to use sat-nav set up.
Vitara now has just Motion and Ultra spec levels like its S-Cross, Swace and Swift siblings.
Those various exterior styling revisions update Vitara with re-designed front grille and bumper, rear upper spoiler incorporating rear window side spoilers, new design 17-inch alloy wheels and the addition of two new colours which are Sphere Blue Pearl Metallic / Cosmic Black dual-tone and our car’s Titan Dark Grey Metallic, both as options.
An even higher level of safety technology is now available as standard across the range including Lane Keep Assist, Intelligent Speed Control, Driver Monitoring System and eCall.
Standard equipment levels for both versions have increased too with the addition of a 9-inch media display, wireless smartphone link with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, Keyless entry and start, High Beam Assist, Auto-dim rear-view mirror, rear parking sensors plus Suzuki Connect connected services that includes three years free subscription.
Moving up to the Ultra grade increases standard specification even further with 17-inch polished alloy wheels, Panoramic sliding Sunroof, suede / leather seat fabric, front and rear parking sensors, electric folding door mirrors with built-in indicators and overhead storage console.
Vitara hybrid is one of the most fuel-efficient small crossovers in its class with the 2WD mild hybrid manual transmission models offering an up to 9 per cent improvement over the previous version. Full hybrid 2WD models with auto transmission are up to 6 per cent better.
You do notice that light weight when closing doors and through the steering but that is how the car can achieve such economy figures so is a plus in the overall scheme of things as is the high level of standard equipment.
The Vitara range starts at £27,200 for the 1.4 mild hybrid 2WD version.
More information at: www.suzuki.co.uk
By Motoring Editor Steve Howarth