2019 Suzuki Vitara pricing and details

The 2019 Suzuki Vitara small SUV has been launched in Australia priced from $22,490 and topping out at $33,990, representing price increases of between $500 and $1000.

The Vitara has forged a strong following in Australia thanks to its low price, strong five-year warranty and capped-price servicing program.

This mid-life upgrade of the current-generation Suzuki Vitara, which first on sale here in 2015, features subtle re-sculpting at the front end, with new look LED daytime running lights and a reworked bumper.

There are three models available powered by two engines carried over from the previous model, the 1.6-litre Vitara (86kW/156Nm), 1.4-litre turbocharged Vitara Turbo and Vitara Turbo AWD (103kW/220Nm).

The 1.6-litre engine can drink regular (91 RON) unleaded fuel, while the Turbo models require premium (95 RON). Fuel economy ranges from 5.8L/100km to 6.2L/100km.

All Vitara models are fitted with 17-inch alloy wheels, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility, satellite navigation, cruise control, climate control, seven airbags, a reversing camera and keyless entry engine start as standard equipment.

A sliding front arm rest is also new along with a 4.2-inch colour LCD trip computer and soft(ish) touch upper dash plastics.

Base grade Suzuki Vitara models get a five-speed manual transmission while a six-speed auto with paddle shifters will add another $2000.

All models now get three-year's free roadside assistance and retain a five-star ANCAP rating awarded in 2017.

However, if the small SUV was retested today it wouldn’t retain its five-star rating. That's because only the more expensive $30,000-plus Vitara Turbo models get autonomous emergency braking (AEB), which is pre-requisite for a top ANCAP rating.

There's no option or safety pack to add AEB on the base model.

Up-spec Vitara Turbo models get AEB, lane departure warning (and weaving) alert, adaptive radar cruise control, rear-cross traffic alert, high beam assist, automatic LED headlights and blind-spot monitoring.

While base grade 2019 Suzuki Vitara models get cloth seats, Turbo variants add leather accented seats with 'geometric pattern' suede inserts. The doors also feature suede inserts. Top-spec Suzuki Vitara Turbo AWD models add a panoramic sunroof to their standard equipment list, along with a sunglasses holder and hill-descent control.

All models have 185mm of ground clearance which is enough for basic off-roading. Measuring 4175mm long puts the Vitara in the small SUV category, which harbours competitors such as the top-selling Mitsubishi ASX, Hyundai Kona, Subaru XV and Mazda CX-3.

In 2018 the Suzuki Vitara found 5023 buyers, down on its 2017 tally of 5805. Nevertheless, it sells in significantly greater number than the iconic Jimny, which has hogged the limelight with its retro design and go-anywhere ruggedness.

Only around 1100 Suzuki Jimny vehicles will be sold this year while the Suzuki Swift will be the brand's top-seller followed by the Vitara as its second-strongest model.

In all there are eight colours and all of them extra Cool White will add extra costs. Black Pearl and Silver Metallic add $500, while Atlantis Turquoise, Bright Red, Galactic Grey, Savannah Ivory and Solar Yellow add $1250 but they all gain a black roof.

First launched in 1988, the Suzuki Vitara went troppo 10 years later when Nobuhiro 'Monster' Tajima raced a 732kW version of the vehicle, called the Suzuki Escudo Dirt Trial, up the Pikes Peak hill climb in Colorado, USA.

That wild machine ran a pair of high-revving 2.5-litre twin-turbo V6 engines (one at each axle), had a top speed of 336km/h and weighed just 800kg. Don't expect a come-back anytime soon.

How much is the 2019 Suzuki Vitara?
Vitara manual - $22,490 (+$500)
Vitara auto - $24,490 (+$500)
Vitara Turbo auto - $29,990 (+$1000)
Vitara Turbo AWD auto - $33,990 (+$1000)

*Prices do not include on-road costs