In a market saturated with tech-laden features and expansive screens, the Suzuki Vitara feels like a step back in time. The cabin retains a surprising number of physical buttons, a traditional gear shifter, and even a manual parking brake, complemented by a single display—excluding a slight screen within the instrument cluster. This approach doesn’t equate to a lack of modern comfort, however; the vehicle delivers a well-rounded experience without requiring significant compromises.
Considering its dimensions, the Vitara is ideally suited for couples or young families with one child. Compared to today’s SUVs, it’s a relatively compact vehicle. Even as it can accommodate four passengers, those in the back may find longer journeys less comfortable, and the 375-liter trunk doesn’t suggest it’s built for moving large items. It’s perfectly adequate for everyday travel, provided you don’t regularly need to transport strollers, appliances, or extensive vacation gear.
However, the Vitara offers distinct advantages—excellent visibility, nimble handling, easy parking, and respectable fuel efficiency. In this particular case, the capable four-wheel-drive system provides added confidence even in unpredictable winter conditions.
A Familiar Approach
The Vitara maintains a proven design without taking risks. The fourth generation has been on the market for eleven years, and even after minor updates, it remains easily recognizable. Over the years, the front grille, bumper, and fog light positions have been subtly adjusted, but the Vitara remains largely unchanged.
While it doesn’t appear overtly modern, it wouldn’t be described as outdated either—its design is timeless. Currently, it’s available in ten color options, including several striking shades, with five offering a two-tone scheme with a black roof. In this configuration, it’s a very well-executed small crossover.
Comfortably Adequate
The highest trim level, Elegance, which includes a leather-wrapped steering wheel and comfortable seats combining synthetic leather and suede, offers a pleasant interior. Materials are of a solid standard, and despite the presence of numerous hard plastics, the build quality is commendable. This focus on durable materials reflects a pragmatic approach to vehicle design.
Storage spaces require careful consideration, as they are limited. Two cup holders are standard, but a mobile phone must be placed in the compartment in front of the gear selector, which is a tight fit. The bulky gear lever occupies a significant amount of space. Rear passengers will also be disappointed to find a lack of charging ports, as USB slots and a 12V outlet are only located in the front.
The controls are dominated by traditional buttons. These are used to adjust the climate control and heated seats, deactivate start-stop and lane-keeping assist, and activate recirculated air. This intuitive control scheme surpasses the usability of even the most sophisticated touchscreen.
Technology Showing Its Age
The instrument panel still features classic analog gauges for the speedometer and tachometer, with a small display for the trip computer positioned between them. This display represents perhaps the weakest link in the car, as it’s used to configure a wide range of functions, including the speed limit warning system. Navigating the menu requires the use of plastic buttons on the side, making it impossible to adjust while driving, and even when stopped, you’re faced with navigating lengthy lists of often-unclear abbreviations.
Conversely, the infotainment system is relatively straightforward (it doesn’t have many features left) and I experienced no connectivity issues during testing. Phone mirroring works seamlessly, even wirelessly. However, the display’s response could be faster, and the parking camera’s very poor image quality requires a degree of caution when parking.
Nimble and Efficient
The Suzuki Vitara now comes with only one engine option—a mild-hybrid 1.4 Boosterjet four-cylinder engine producing 81 kW. You can choose between front-wheel drive or all-wheel drive, and since mid-last year, a six-speed automatic transmission with a torque converter has been available in addition to the manual gearbox.
The tested configuration with an automatic transmission and four-wheel drive performs surprisingly well. While the paper output may not be dazzling, the Vitara is relatively lightweight and therefore quite sprightly. The mild-hybrid assistance also helps with starts and largely mitigates turbo lag. The transmission shifts smoothly and logically, and fuel consumption can easily be maintained between 6 and 7 liters per 100 kilometers in both urban and rural environments. On the highway, you’ll only be slightly bothered by the higher noise level, which is not uncommon for vehicles in this class.
Unfazed by Snow
And how does the Suzuki Vitara handle? Remarkably well. It feels exceptionally light in corners, doesn’t lean unnecessarily, and the steering still has a certain feel that is increasingly difficult to find in modern cars. The suspension is reasonably comfortable, and while it doesn’t eliminate bumps, it dampens them to a pleasant degree.
When snow falls even in the lowlands, the four-wheel drive comes into its own. The Vitara can automatically engage the rear axle as soon as the front wheels start to slip, and for particularly adverse conditions, Snow mode with adjusted stability and ABS settings, or Lock mode with permanently engaged rear axle, are available. For a small crossover that doesn’t even try to seem like an off-roader, the four-wheel-drive capabilities are truly impressive—especially considering the price.
What’s the Price Tag?
The Suzuki Vitara with a manual transmission and the base Comfort trim level starts at 552,900 CZK. The automatic and four-wheel drive are only available with the second trim level, Premium, which costs 662,900 CZK. The tested car with the Elegance trim level costs 687,900 CZK.
