2018 Suzuki Vitara Reviews

The Vitara was one of the first small SUVs on the Australian market. How does it hold up against recent SUV arrivals? And is it worthwhile waiting one more year before buying one? Find out.

The RT-S is the entry grade of the Vitara range and the most affordable version is the one with a manual gear box with its list price of $21,990 (pay $2000 more and you can have the automatic transmission).The RT-S comes standard with a touch screen, sat nav, reversing camera, Apple CarPlay (but not Android Auto), Bluetooth and iPod connectivity, four-speaker stereo, cruise control, shifting paddles, air-conditioning, privacy glass in the rear, cloth seats, leather-wrapped steering wheel, 17-inch alloy wheels, roof rails and LED running lights.The Vitara RT-S is front-wheel drive and has a 1.6-litre four-cylinder petrol that makes 86kW and 156Nm with a choice of five-speed manual gearbox or six-speed automatic.The Vitara RT-S was given a five-star ANCAP rating in 2015. While there is no advanced safety equipment, there’s still ABS, traction and stability control and seven airbags.For child seats there are two ISOFIX points and three top tether anchor points across the second row.

The S Turbo sits at the top of the Vitara range and can be had as a front-with drive for $28,990 or with all-wheel drive (Suzuki calls it Allgrip) for $32,990.The S Turbo comes standard with leather seats, proximity key, LED headlights, a touch screen, sat nav, reversing camera, Apple CarPlay, Bluetooth and iPod connectivity, four-speaker stereo, cruise control, shifting paddles, air-conditioning, privacy glass in the rear, cloth seats, leather-wrapped steering wheel, front and rear parking sensors, 17-inch alloy wheels, roof rails and LED running lights.The S Turbo has a 1.4-litre four-cylinder turbo-petrol producing more grunt at 103kW/220Nm, with a six-speed automatic.The Vitara RT-S was given a five-star ANCAP rating in 2015. While there is no advanced safety equipment, there’s still ABS, traction and stability control and seven airbags.For child seats there are two ISOFIX points and three top tether anchor points across the second row.

Suzuki has carved out a unique position in the pantheon of Australian motoring. It sits alongside Subaru in that 'aspirational off-roader' market space. For people who want something sensible for the everyday, with a bit of capacity for adventure. Most of that legend was built by one nameplate: Vitara.  This one,