Suzuki Vitara S-Turbo 2016 Review

Suzuki Vitara S-Turbo (2WD)

What’s it all about?
SUVs are all the rage Down Under, and for the most part it’s those with a luxe bent that are the apple of buyer’s eyes.

But there are more affordable models, like the Suzuki Vitara S-Turbo, that are not only as practical as their upmarket rivals, but equally appealing.

Introduced in 2015, the born-again Vitara packs a lot of value into a small package. Suzuki’s small SUV offers petrol, turbo-petrol and turbo-diesel powerplants, the choice of front- or all-wheel drive, six-speed manual or automatic transmissions and five model grades.

In short, there’s something for everyone and, given Suzuki’s reputation for bulletproof, budget motoring, we reckon the Vitara is an underrated model deserved of more attention.

How much will it cost?
The Vitara range kicks off with the RT-S ($21,990) and stretches out to the all singing, all dancing RT-X Diesel ($35,990).

On test is the S-Turbo, which is priced from $28,990 in two-wheel drive format, or $32,990 with all-wheel drive.

Depending on hue Suzuki asks between $500 and $995 for metallic paint and the Hungarian-built light SUV is offered with a range of factory accessories that should appeal to weekend adventurers (think bicycle and kayak racks, ski holders, etc).

Suzuki backs its passenger car and SUV range with a three-year/100,000km warranty with dealer-fit accessories covered for one-year/20,000km. An extended five-year/140,000km warranty is available at cost.

Capped pricing for scheduled maintenance is listed on Suzuki’s website for a period of five years, the Vitara requiring a check-up every six months or 10,000km.

The first service for the S-Turbo variant will set you back just $175 with the dearest three-year service pegged at $379.

Why should I buy it?
Considering its list price relative to its nearest competitors, the Vitara S-Turbo offers a strong level of standard equipment.

Think front and rear parking sensors, reversing camera, climate control, auto lights and wipers, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, touch-screen infotainment with built-in sat-nav, steering wheel paddle shifters… the list goes on and on.

Then there’s that spritely little direct-injected 1.4-litre turbo-petrol engine and smooth shifting six-speed auto.

The driveline performs well, is very refined, and even has a hearty chortle under acceleration that lets you know you’re accessing all of its 103kW and 220Nm.

The Vitara S-Turbo holds the road very well (thanks in part to Continental rubber on 17-inch alloys), and is really quite comfortable.

The steering is direct, well weighted and offers reasonable feedback. The 10.4m turning circle, however, could be a little tighter.

The driving position is set to provide good control over proceedings and offers an easy entry and exit height; though we’d have appreciated adjustable lumbar support.

It’s also one of few cars in this category (excusing the Honda HR-V) capable of accommodating grown adults in the back seat.

Headroom is especially generous, and the balance between the front and back seat and cargo bay doesn’t come at the cost of seat-up luggage space (375 litres). By way of reference, the Mazda CX-3 offers just 264 litres.

The Vitara S-Turbo tips the scale at 1160kg (kerb) and can tow up to 1200kg (braked).

When is it available in Australia?
The Vitara has been on sale locally since September 2015 with S-Turbo and flagship turbo-diesel RT-X variants joining the range in May 2016.All variants are now available in Suzuki showrooms nationally.

The Vitara range was awarded a five-star ANCAP safety rating in July 2016 and offers the expected levels of active and passive safety equipment.

Unlike some of its competitors, however, the Vitara does not offer autonomous emergency braking (AEB).

To the end of September 2016 the Suzuki Vitara has sold 4429 examples, ranking it seventh in its segment.

The Vitara was outsold by the Mazda CX-3 (14,317), Mitsubishi ASX (13,462), Nissan QASHQAI (9684), Honda HR-V (9260), Subaru XV (6012) and Holden Trax (5968).

Who will it appeal to?
The budget-conscious, weekend adventurers, upsizers, downsizers, starter families, singles, couples and retirees are all candidates for small SUVs like the Suzuki Vitara.

In short, it’s a winning recipe that blends the high-riding appeal of an SUV with the practicality and frugality of a small hatch.

It also offers soft-road (light off-road) capability with far better ground clearance than many of its rivals, and the option of four-wheel drive, while its robust design makes it a win-win car for urban and country dwellers alike.

Cheap servicing and good real-world fuel economy (we managed 6.4L/100km) keep the cost of ownership to a minimum, though RedBook estimates resale value could be better with a trade-in value of as low as 56.3 per cent quoted for a 12-month old model (or from 71.8 per cent when sold privately).

By way of comparison, a year-old CX-3 is worth 59.0 per cent when traded or 75.5 per cent when listed privately.

The Vitara is positioned between the smaller Jimny Sierra and S-Cross and the larger Grand Vitara in Suzuki’s local SUV line-up.

Broadly, and in addition to those rivals listed above, the Vitara competes with the likes of the Ford EcoSport, Holden Trax, Honda HR-V, Mazda CX-3, Nissan JUKE, Renault Captur and upcoming Toyota C-HR.

The light SUV segment in which the Vitara competes is the fastest growing not only in Australia, but in many overseas markets.

As such, competition is strong, and with excellent drive-away deals offered periodically, we suggest keeping an eye on manufacturer sales to score the best deal.

Excluding the extensive (and expected) use of hard plastics inside, the Vitara S-Turbo presents very well.

It’s an impressively good drive, terrific on fuel and offers all the equipment and practicality buyers should expect for the price.

And while it might lack some of the glitz and gadgets offered by some of its rivals, the little Suzuki is nonetheless sound motoring.

If you haven’t considered a Vitara before, now is the perfect time to add one to your shopping list.

2016 Suzuki Vitara S-Turbo pricing and specifications:
Price: $28,990 (plus on-road costs)
Engine: 1.4-litre four-cylinder turbo-petrol
Output: 103kW/220Nm
Transmission: Six-speed automatic
Fuel: 5.9L/100km (ADR combined)
CO2: 138g/km (ADR combined)
Safety rating: Five-star ANCAP

Also consider:
>> Honda HR-V (from $24,990 plus ORCs)
>> Mazda CX-3 (from $19,990 plus ORCs)
>> Renault Captur (from $23,500 plus ORCs)