Five Things to Know About The Suzuki Vitara Turbo

The turbocharged engine is really great

The big new thing about the Vitara Turbo is, well, the turbocharged engine. It’s a 1.4-litre Boosterjet direct injection turbo K14C DITC engine pushing out 103kW and 237Nm, and the model that we had on test is mated with a six-speed manual ‘box.

It’s a good set up with an even power delivery and smooth gear changes. It feels quick and overtaking is a breeze. As someone who commutes to and from the Cape Town CBD every day from the Northern Suburbs, I use the Plattekloof Hill as part of the journey to truly test how strong an engine is. Head up this hill in an underpowered car and you will hate your life in those enduring moments.

This was not the case with the Vitara Turbo which made quick and easy work of the incline.

It's a looker

With a trapezoidal lower front intake, a clam-shell bonnet complete with power bulge, a sloping roof line, wide C-pillars and an accentuated rear hip line, the Vitara is an objectively good-looking thing. At least I think so. The 17-inch alloy wheels and wide stance gives the Vitara an imposing look about it. All great things.

It comes packed with standard specification

The turbocharged Vitara comes with the range topping GLX specification. This means that premium items such as LED daytime running lights, LED head- and rear lamp clusters, silver roof rails, steering mounted controls for the audio and cruise control systems are all standard items.

Add to that park distance control both front and rear, automatic climate control, electric windows and mirrors, a 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system with smartphone connectivity with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and MirrorLink systems, a reverse camera, leather and suede upholstery combination and rain-sensing wipers, and you can see just how stacked the standard spec is.

Safety comes standard

Passive and active safety features include ABS, EBD and ESP, 7 airbags and a reinforced safety cell.

Suzuki also mentions that the Vitara Turbo has what the company calls, Total Effective Control Technology (TECT) body-design. According to the Japanese manufacturer, this system features side and cross-body impact zones, ultra-high strength steel and additional bracing for a body that is both highly rigid and impact absorbing.

It’s definitely worth considering

This is such a hotly contested segment in our local car market. The Vitara Turbo goes up against the likes of Volkswagen’s T-Cross, the Renault Duster and the Ford EcoSport - all of which are very capable vehicles and each one with its own set of things that make it an appealing buy.

If you’re shopping in this category and you haven’t added the Vitara Turbo to your list of cars to test drive, please do. It’s a great compact SUV with loads to offer.

There you have it, five great things about the Suzuki Vitara - a Japanese compact SUV from the masters of packing big car space into little car footprints.

Click here to read Calvin Fisher’s driving impressions at the launch of the boosted Vitara earlier this year. (https://www.carshop.co.za/reviews/new-suzuki-vitara-turbo-driven)

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