Suzuki Vitara Diesel 2017 Review

What’s it all about?
Suzuki added a diesel option to its Vitara SUV range earlier this year, putting up a renewed fight to the likes of the Mazda CX-3 and Honda HR-V.

The Vitara RT-X driven here sits at the top of the range, priced at $35,990 (plus on-road costs).

It brings a renewed versatility focus to this segment, fitted with adaptable four-wheel drive settings but no high-range / low range transfer cases like earlier Vitaras.

The new model sits alongside the existing petrol and turbo-petrol variants, available in two and four-wheel drive forms and starting from $21,990.

Suzuki’s $35,990 (plus on-road costs) list price gets you a 1.6-litre direct-injection turbocharged engine, sending drive through all four wheels via a six-speed dual-clutch transmission.

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 additional 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 three years’ worth of capped price servicing will set owners back about $1540, according to Suzuki.

Our test model included as standard equipment such as a dual panoramic sunroof, integrated sat-nav, climate control, 17-inch polished alloy wheels, LED headlights, leather/suede seats and privacy glass. Front and rear parking sensors and a reversing camera complement the Suzuki’s ease of parking and inner city driving.

Additionally, the Hungary-built RT-X scores a knee airbag, taking the total count to seven and reinforcing a five-star safety rating. Unlike some rivals, it misses out on autonomous emergency braking.

The diesel Vitara is an extremely efficient and useable real-world proposition. While we couldn’t match the 4.9L/100km claim, we saw an average of 5.6L over 1300km worth of driving (most of it highway), or roughly 850km from the 47-litre tank.

In addition, the diesel offers useable real-world torque when getting up to speed and during overtaking manoeuvres. The matching six-speed transmission offers a decent spread of ratios, though frustratingly, it finds itself holding on to gears for too long, lacking the intuition and precision of like-minded dual-clutch rivals.

Elsewhere, the Vitara is compliant and predictable in its overall ride and handling. The car feels well planted on highways and through the bends, there is adequate weighting and response from the steering and the cabin is relatively quiet on all but the coarsest of surfaces.

The Suzuki cannot match the CX-3 for outright dynamics, particularly in its steering feel and feedback, but it still holds itself well for a 1325kg SUV.

Its cabin is generally a comfortable place to be on longer journeys thanks to soft, comfortable seats and extensive seat and steering wheel adjustment. The 7.0-inch infotainment screen projects clear images, but some of its external buttons can be fiddly to operate.

The diminutive Suzuki may be thoughtfully honed from a dynamic and driveability perspective, but there are some little foibles that detract from the driving experience.

For one, the car’s diesel engine and gearbox teaming are a bit agricultural for this price point. The diesel clutter is quite audible from inside the cabin, especially when cold, and the gearbox is quite grabby during initial take-off. The latter point is demonstrated in that second or so between taking your foot off the brake and then applying the accelerator; in stop-start traffic, the car lunges forward voluntarily and can be a cause of some frustration.

Elsewhere, Suzuki could have better capitalised on the car’s thoughtful seating and ergonomics by thinking to add a centre console or arm rest to lean on. It sounds like we’re clutching at straws, however, an hour or so in the saddle you find yourself looking for something to make things more comfortable.

The interior is well presented but could be better. The analogue clock that resides atop the dashboard feels a bit tacky, and the hard plastics are more centred on durability than comfort.

Broadly speaking, the Vitara is targeted at two predominant age groups: single twenty and thirty-somethings and a slightly older demographic alike.

The main reason behind this is the cabin’s lack of rear-seat space compared with larger SUVs. Sure the proportions are strong for this segment but rear-seat use is best suited to occasional use rather than everyday conveyance as required by families. The lack of rear air vents and 375-litre boot simply compounds this trait, though five doors, a split-boot level and split-folding seats which enable 1120-litres worth of room are strong redeeming features.

On the practicality front the Vitara is equipped with a 1200kg towing capacity, making it a viable box trailer hauling option.

It also promises some semblance of off-road ability – though, admittedly we didn’t put this use on test – thanks to 185mm worth of ground clearance and four drive modes: road, snow, sand and mud. The RT-X employs Suzuki’s AllGrip technology, which in auto mode will automatically switch from 2WD to 4WD if it detects slippage or wheel spin.

The Vitara is a welcome return competitor to the small SUV segment. However, in RT-X guise at least, its price is starting to creep well into the next segment up.

That said, the compact SUV would be a nice inner-city fit, especially considering its high-riding dimensions and ease of use, and the diesel engine is both efficient and enjoyable to drive.

The bigger problem for Suzuki is that there is an arsenal of fresh competitors since it last tinkered in this space.

2017 Suzuki Vitara RT-X pricing and specifications:
Price: $35,990 (plus on-road costs)
Engine: 1.6-litre four-cylinder turbo-diesel
Output: 88kW/320Nm
Transmission: Seven-speed dual-clutch
Fuel: 4.9L/100km (ADR Combined)
CO2: 131g/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)

Related reading:
>> Suzuki releases diesel Vitara
>> Suzuki Vitara S Turbo review
>> Suzuki Vitara Quick Spin review