Suzuki Vitara?
Discussion
I love mine but it's not for some people's taste. It's hard scratchy plastic not soft luxury. They are built solidly and are cheap to run: good fuel economy, easy maintenance so cheap servicing, reliable because kept simple. Not superficial quality but quality underneath.
I'm not sure about diesels, turbos or hybrids. I bought a 2018 which I think is the last year where they made the 1.6 natural aspirated petrol engine. Also I stuck with the manual because I enjoy driving manual but also because I read a few reviews with cars with issues which happened to be automatic.
I had a 2005 Ignis before this and it was so solid, no rust and drove beautifully after 17 years but needed a bigger car for my son's needs so I stuck with the brand. I've had it for two years now and still love it.
Because they are cheap to start with they tend to hold their value so now my car is six years old they seem to have reached a bottom because they are cheap to run and reliable.
If you want more comfort or luxury feel or performance then this will not be the car for you.
I'm not sure about diesels, turbos or hybrids. I bought a 2018 which I think is the last year where they made the 1.6 natural aspirated petrol engine. Also I stuck with the manual because I enjoy driving manual but also because I read a few reviews with cars with issues which happened to be automatic.
I had a 2005 Ignis before this and it was so solid, no rust and drove beautifully after 17 years but needed a bigger car for my son's needs so I stuck with the brand. I've had it for two years now and still love it.
Because they are cheap to start with they tend to hold their value so now my car is six years old they seem to have reached a bottom because they are cheap to run and reliable.
If you want more comfort or luxury feel or performance then this will not be the car for you.
I guess it depends what she's used to and what she wants it for?
We bought a 6 month old 2017 1.4 petrol boosterjet AWD automatic with 5k miles on the clock and we've now done just over 70k in it.
It's fairly light and the engine is great so it feels nippy enough, it'll do real world 40mpg and has been decent in snow/muddy conditions on Michelin cross climates.
As others have said interior plastics are hard but wear well and I think the interior looks absolutely fine. For us it was a step up in refinement from our 2003 bog standard Subaru Forester
A mate bought one after seeing mine and ran it for a few years before trading it in for a newer hybrid one which he's also happy with.
We're semi rural and see absolutely loads of them around here.
You won't impress anyone driving a Vitara but they're a decent, reliable, capable car and good value for money IMHO.
Hope that helps.
We bought a 6 month old 2017 1.4 petrol boosterjet AWD automatic with 5k miles on the clock and we've now done just over 70k in it.
It's fairly light and the engine is great so it feels nippy enough, it'll do real world 40mpg and has been decent in snow/muddy conditions on Michelin cross climates.
As others have said interior plastics are hard but wear well and I think the interior looks absolutely fine. For us it was a step up in refinement from our 2003 bog standard Subaru Forester
A mate bought one after seeing mine and ran it for a few years before trading it in for a newer hybrid one which he's also happy with.
We're semi rural and see absolutely loads of them around here.
You won't impress anyone driving a Vitara but they're a decent, reliable, capable car and good value for money IMHO.
Hope that helps.
leef44 said:
I love mine but it's not for some people's taste. It's hard scratchy plastic not soft luxury. They are built solidly and are cheap to run: good fuel economy, easy maintenance so cheap servicing, reliable because kept simple. Not superficial quality but quality underneath.
I'm not sure about diesels, turbos or hybrids. I bought a 2018 which I think is the last year where they made the 1.6 natural aspirated petrol engine. Also I stuck with the manual because I enjoy driving manual but also because I read a few reviews with cars with issues which happened to be automatic.
I had a 2005 Ignis before this and it was so solid, no rust and drove beautifully after 17 years but needed a bigger car for my son's needs so I stuck with the brand. I've had it for two years now and still love it.
Because they are cheap to start with they tend to hold their value so now my car is six years old they seem to have reached a bottom because they are cheap to run and reliable.
If you want more comfort or luxury feel or performance then this will not be the car for you.
I bought a 2015 1.6 manual for my missus 5 years ago. Averages over 40 to the gallon and has been thoroughly reliable to date. Can’t see her swapping it any time soon.I'm not sure about diesels, turbos or hybrids. I bought a 2018 which I think is the last year where they made the 1.6 natural aspirated petrol engine. Also I stuck with the manual because I enjoy driving manual but also because I read a few reviews with cars with issues which happened to be automatic.
I had a 2005 Ignis before this and it was so solid, no rust and drove beautifully after 17 years but needed a bigger car for my son's needs so I stuck with the brand. I've had it for two years now and still love it.
Because they are cheap to start with they tend to hold their value so now my car is six years old they seem to have reached a bottom because they are cheap to run and reliable.
If you want more comfort or luxury feel or performance then this will not be the car for you.
sparkythecat said:
I bought a 2015 1.6 manual for my missus 5 years ago. Averages over 40 to the gallon and has been thoroughly reliable to date. Can’t see her swapping it any time soon.
I'm averaging about 47mpg. Trip computer says 49.5mpg but the petrol pump says it's slightly less.
ETA: I'm told at servicing that I have pitted brake discs due to under use.
The current Vitara is much more of a crossover than the previous 'Grand Vitara' that was a proper off-road capable vehicle.
They are really light as well, something daft like 1100kg for the 2wd versions. So should drive nicely and be economical.
As above, also check out the S-Cross (the recent replaced version was a slightly more estate car crossover than the Vitara, so has a bigger boot).
The new S-cross is more of an SUV (which seems bigger than the Vitara?)
They are really light as well, something daft like 1100kg for the 2wd versions. So should drive nicely and be economical.
As above, also check out the S-Cross (the recent replaced version was a slightly more estate car crossover than the Vitara, so has a bigger boot).
The new S-cross is more of an SUV (which seems bigger than the Vitara?)
ChrisH72 said:
I've always quite liked the Vitara.
Surprises me how everyone raves about the Dacia Duster because its cheap and utilitarian but the Vitara flies completely under the radar whilst offering the same kind of thing.
Just been looking at the Vitara, looks like VFM. The Duster was great when you could pick up a prereg from circa £10.5k in 2021. Since then the price, while still cheaper is so close to mainstream stuff it's not as compelling. Surprises me how everyone raves about the Dacia Duster because its cheap and utilitarian but the Vitara flies completely under the radar whilst offering the same kind of thing.
Neighbour has a 2015 model and he's got nothing but good to say about it. He's got a 1.6 diesel Allgrip (4WD).
The OEM tyres are really only suitable for road but he's got Michelin Cross Climates on which transform it to be capable in the mud and snow too.
I think his has done about 100K now and has needed nothing other than service items.
The 1.6 petrol is a bit gutless, the 1.4 petrol is much better. The diesel is the old Fiat multijet engine which is used in lots of other brands.
They're several levels up from a Dacia Duster in terms of quality and durability.
They're a really unassuming car which drives nicely and looks OK.
Plastics are nasty but at this price point, anything which hasn't got nasty plastics has nasty mechanicals.
The OEM tyres are really only suitable for road but he's got Michelin Cross Climates on which transform it to be capable in the mud and snow too.
I think his has done about 100K now and has needed nothing other than service items.
The 1.6 petrol is a bit gutless, the 1.4 petrol is much better. The diesel is the old Fiat multijet engine which is used in lots of other brands.
They're several levels up from a Dacia Duster in terms of quality and durability.
They're a really unassuming car which drives nicely and looks OK.
Plastics are nasty but at this price point, anything which hasn't got nasty plastics has nasty mechanicals.
Edited by Pistom on Monday 21st October 18:30
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