Review: Suzuki LY Vitara (2015-on)

Review: Suzuki LY.I Vitara (2015-18)

Overview

Released in September 2015, the Suzuki Vitara was a compact SUV. Manufactured in Hungary, the Suzuki Vitara was powered by a 1.6-litre petrol engine that was mated to either a five-speed manual or six-speed automatic transmission. While the Vitara RT-S was front-wheel drive, the Vitara RT-X was equipped with Suzuki’s ‘ALLGRIP’ all-wheel drive system.

In April 2016, the Suzuki Vitara range was revised as the Vitara RT-X was discontinued and the Vitara S Turbo introduced.

D16AA and K14C engines

The Suzuki Vitara’s 1.6-litre D16AA four-cylinder petrol engine had an alloy block and cylinder head, double overhead camshafts (chain-driven), four valves per cylinder, variable intake valve timing (VVT), multi-point port injection and a compression ratio of 11.0:1.

For the Vitara RT-S manual transmission, fuel consumption was 5.8 litres per 100 kilometres over the ADR 81/02 test cycle; with the automatic transmission, this increased to 6.0 litres per 100 km. For the Vitara RT-X, the corresponding was 6.3 litres per 100 km.

The K14C ‘BoosterJet’ engine for the Vitara S Turbo differed from the D16AA in a turbocharger was attached directly to the cylinder head and the cylinder head casting incorporated the exhaust manifold; the K14C engine also head direct petrol injection. For the Vitara S Turbo, fuel consumption was 5.9 litres per 100 kilometres over the ADR 81/02 test cycle.

ALLGRIP all-wheel drive

Shared with the Suzuki S-Cross , the Vitara RT-X was equipped with Suzuki’s ‘ALLGRIP’ all-wheel drive system which utilised an electronically-controlled, multi-plate clutch coupling. Furthermore, the driver was able to select from four driving modes:

• Auto: drove the front wheels by default to reduce fuel consumption, but the clutch coupling could engage to provide all-wheel drive if wheel spin was detected;
• Sport: engaged AWD in response to throttle inputs and, at low- and mid-range engine speeds, Sport mode provided greater throttle response;
• Snow: provided AWD by default with reference to steering and accelerator inputs; and,
• Lock: provided a fixed 50:50 front:rear torque split for extricating the vehicle from snow, mud or sand.

Dimensions and suspension

The Suzuki Vitara was 4175 mm long, 1775 mm wide, 1610 mm tall and had a 2500 mm long wheelbase; cargo space was 375 litres with the rear seats in position, though this increased to 710 litres when folded down (VDA method). Ground clearance for the Vitara was 185 mm, enabling an approach angle of 18.2 degrees and a departure angle of 28.2 degrees.

The Suzuki Vitara had MacPherson strut front suspension and a torsion beam rear axle.

Safety equipment

Standard safety equipment for the Suzuki Vitara included dual front airbags, a driver’s knee airbag, front side airbags, full-length curtain airbags, ABS, electronic brake force distribution, brake assist, electronic stability control, traction control and front seatbelts with pre-tensioners and load limiters.

Euro NCAP testing

In Euro NCAP testing , a left-hand drive 2015 Suzuki Vitara received a five star safety rating which included an 89 per cent adult occupant protection rating and an 85 per cent child occupant protection rating. In the offset crash test, protection of the driver’s head, thighs, lower left leg and feet were rated as good, though chest and lower right leg protection were rated as adequate (i.e. a slight risk of serious injury). In the side impact and pole tests, occupant protection was rated as good for all body areas and maximum points were awarded.

Features: Vitara RT-S

Standard features for the Sukzui Vitara RT-S included 17-inch alloy wheels with 215/55 R17 tyres, a four speaker sound system with an MP3/WMA compatible CD player, Bluetooth mobile phone connectivity and USB/iPod inputs, satellite navigation, climate control air conditioning, cruise control with speed limiter, front fog lights, daytime running lights, a reversing camera, a leather covered steering wheel, 60:40 split and single folding rear seats, remote central locking, power windows and mirrors, tilt and telescopic steering wheel adjustment, two 12 volt power sockets, a trip computer and an immobiliser.

Suzuki Vitara models with automatic transmissions were also fitted with steering wheel gearshift paddles.

Features: Vitara RT-X

Compared to the RT-S, the Sukzui Vitara RT-X was further equipped with polished 17-inch alloy wheels, two additional tweeters for the sound system, leather seats with suede inserts, LED headlights, automatic headlights, rain-sensing wipers, front and rear parking sensors, power folding door mirrors with integrated indicator lights, keyless entry (i.e. proximity key), push button start, a panoramic sunroof with double sliding function, suede door inserts, electromagnetic tailgate opener and an overhead storage compartment.

Visually, the Vitara RT-X could be identified by its front skid plate, chrome fender garnish and front grille.

Features: Vitara S Turbo

Compared to the Suzuki Vitara RT-S, the Vitara S Turbo was further equipped with combination leather/suede seats, LED headlights, LED daytime running lights, dusk-sensing headlights, front and rear parking sensors, steering wheel gearshift paddles, push-button start, rear privacy glass, red interior accents and alloy pedals.

The Vitara S Turbo could be identified by its black alloy wheels, chrome front grille and garnish, and satin silver coloured door mirrors with integrated indicator lights.

2018 Suzuki Vitara 30th Year Anniversary Edition

The Suzuki Vitara 30th Year Anniversary Edition was released in Australia in October 2018. Based on the Suzuki Vitara RT-S, the Vitara 30th Year Anniversary Edition could be identified its chrome surrounds for the daytime running lights, chrome door guards (front and rear), polished rear boot lip protector. Inside, the Vitara 30th Year Anniversary Edition featured a centre armrest console. Australian deliveries of the Suzuki Vitara 30th Year Anniversary Edition were limited to 350 vehicles.

Paint finishes

The Suzuki Vitara was available in the following paint colours:

• Cool White Pearl;
• Silky Silver Metallic;
• Cosmic Black Pearl Metallic;
• Atlantis Turquoise Pearl Metallic with Black Roof;
• Horizon Orange Metallic with Black Roof; and,
• Savannah Ivory Metallic with Black Roof.

Brochure and specifications

• Brochure: Suzuki LY Vitara (May 2016)
• Specifications: Suzuki LY Vitara (May 2016)

Review: Suzuki LY.II Vitara (2018-on)

Overview

The Suzuki LY Series II (LY.II) Vitara was released in Australia in January 2019. As per the table below, the LY.II Vitara range consisted of Vitara, Vitara Turbo and Vitara Turbo AllGrip models.

Visually, the LY.II Vitara could be identified by its redesigned front grille and lower bumper, and new LED tail lights. Inside, there were new seat trims, a front sliding armrest, soft touch material for the upper instrument panel and a new instrument cluster with a 4.2-inch colour display.

Safety equipment

For Suzuki LY.II Vitara Turbo and Turbo AllGrip variants, standard safety equipment was extended to include the following active safety technologies –

• Autonomous Emergency Braking (AEB): used a monocular camera and laser sensor to determine if there was a risk of a collision with a pedestrian or vehicle in front of the Vitara. The driver would initially receive audio and visual warnings, and the braking system would be prepared. If the driver failed to respond, emergency braking would be applied to reduce vehicle speed;
• Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) with stop & go: ACC could maintain a safe distance from the vehicle ahead by automatically braking or accelerating up to the pre-set cruising speed. The stop & go function enabled the Vitara to be braked until stationary and, if the vehicle ahead was stationary for less than two seconds, the Vitara would automatically accelerate;
• Blind Spot Monitor (BSM): operating at speeds above 15 km/h, BSM used two rear-mounted radar sensors to detect vehicles in or approaching the driver’s blind spot. If detected, a warning LED icon would illuminate in the relevant door mirror. If the driver indicated to change lanes, the LED icon would flash and a warning tone would sound;
• Lane Departure Warning (LDW): operating at speeds above 60 km/h, LDW could detect if the vehicle was about to exit its lane without the indicators having been applied. If so, the driver would be warned via visual alerts and steering wheel vibrations;
• Rear Cross Traffic Alert (RCTA): operating at speeds up to 8 km/h when the vehicle was reversing, RCTA used the two rear radar sensors to detect approaching vehicles. If detected, the driver would receive a visual alert on the multi-information display and a warning tone would sound; and,
• Weaving alert: operating at speeds above 60 km/h, ‘weaving alert’ would issue audio and visual warnings if the vehicles was weaving within its lane since this was indicative of driver fatigue.

Features: Suzuki LY.II Vitara

The Suzuki LY.II Vitara Turbo and Turbo AllGrip featured suede seat trims, while the latter was also fitted with a panoramic sunroof as standard.

Brochure

• Brochure: Suzuki LY.II Vitara (January 2019)