Drive with us: Suzuki Vitara Review

Can this rugged SUV fight off competition from some of its more charming rivals?

The market for compact SUVs is one of the most hotly contested areas for manufacturers, but the Suzuki Vitara may not always be the first option that springs to mind for those considering a new lease. 

However, the Vitara has always been one of the most popular models within the Suzuki lineup since its launch.

With demand in this incredibly practical class only heading in one direction, we wanted to learn more about the Vitara and how it manages against rivals such as the Nissan Juke, Renault Captur or even the Peugeot 2008.

Considering elements like pricing, comfort levels and everyday practicality, this latest Carparison review will provide you with all you need to know about the Vitara’s strengths, weaknesses and much more.  

Price

On The Road prices for the Vitara can start from just over £19,000 and rise up to just over £22,000 if you choose the range-topping spec.

If you’re scouring some of our best car lease deals in the hunt to find your next SUV, you’ll be pleased to know that the Suzuki Vitara could be yours from just £177 a month*.

Our car lease deals create a cost-effective method of getting behind the wheel of a brand new car for a fraction of the cost.

*Prices correct at time of publishing. Subject to change and could vary depending on the lease terms

Engine Choice

There are two trim levels to choose from with the Suzuki Vitara, the Boosterjet and the Boosterjet ALLGRIP. Both use the 127hp K14D BOOSTERJET engine, which will deliver 0-62mph times of 9.5 seconds, top speeds of 118mph and just short of 50mpg.

Meanwhile, there are a choice of both six-speed automatic and manual transmissions, as well as two-wheel and four-wheel drive capabilities from Suzuki's ALLGRIP system.

Drive

We really enjoyed our time driving the Vitara - more than we thought we would. It was incredibly easy to get to grips with and handles so smoothly once you get going.

Despite being quite rugged and athletic, you don’t feel the size of the vehicle at all. It also feels effortlessly agile and nimble, despite its boxy profile. 

Compared to the Nissan Juke that we reviewed a few months back, the Vitara felt far more responsive and sturdier to drive. 

The driving position is commanding and your visibility ahead is fantastic. It picks up speed well and with impressively quiet noise levels too, there were no real complaints from a driving perspective. 

Design and Interior

If you were to look up the definition of 'rugged' in the dictionary, you'll probably be met with a picture of the Vitara... (if a dictionary had pictures). 

Elements of the Vitara’s design do give it an athletic and powerful look, while the potential for two-tone colour combinations offer a nice splash of colour and character.

It’s not quite as angular as other compact SUVs, but it is by no means a bad-looking car by any stretch. There's a nice blend of a modern and contemporary features with some old school looks. 

As you progress through, you find a nice balance of materials. Our vehicle had some nice carbon effect and soft-touch finishes, which made it a very comfortable and relaxing place to be. 

The overall interior design was, well, I would say somewhere between refined and minimalist...if you see what I mean? 

I get the impression that Suzuki have tried to keep things simple in their design (in a good way!). There are very few physical buttons, and everything seems to serve a purpose.  

Anything that had the potential to be deemed unnecessary has been left to one side in the interest of creating a flowing and spacious cabin.

The touchscreen is well-positioned and sitting above that is a very classy watch face that is perched between two air vents. 

It's reminiscent to certain older Mercedes-Benz interiors and it adds a nice touch of sophistication to the cabin.

Technology

Technology is not the Vitara’s strongest asset and it's here where some rivals may hold the advantage.

Compared to systems that you might find in the Nissan Juke or the Captur, the Vitara did feel a touch dated. 

Don’t get me wrong, it was very easy to use, well laid-out and as responsive as some of the best we've tried, but visually it was lacking.

However, by opting for no physical buttons, Suzuki have added a nice modern twist to their infotainment system.

As well as that, there are a wealth of easy shortcut buttons on the steering wheel, so using it on the move is simple and stress-free, especially for those who may not be the greatest fans of touchscreens.

Space and Practicality

Despite its more rugged and mean exterior, the Vitara is an incredibly relaxing place to be. It was by far one of the comfiest compact SUVs that we've tested recently.

The front seats are both supportive and comfortable, while the cabin feels spacious and airy thanks to the sunroof (Standard on SZ5 Hybrid models) that lets in an abundance of light. 

You can tell that practicality was at the forefront of the design with the Vitara’s interior. Everything is spaciously laid out and so simple to use.

Storage throughout the cabin is also competitive, with a good-sized glovebox complimenting the competitive door bins and space available in the armrest.

There is also 375L of storage space in the rear, so you won't struggle to carry your weekly shop. 

There are no USB ports in the rear and there was just the single storage pouch integrated into the back of the front passenger's seat, which limits the storage potential ever so slightly. A little inconvenient? Yes. Deal breaker? Not for us! 

The space and general comfort levels in the rear more than make up for that too, surpassing what is on offer in the Nissan Juke. 

Taller passengers may feel slightly cramped in the rear because of the sunroof and what is quite a high-sitting bench, but generally, the space is competitive, with a fantastic amount of legroom on offer too.

Model Lines and Equipment 

SZ4 Hybrid – From £19,249

• Dual sensor brake support
• 16" alloy wheels
• LED multi-reflector headlamps (low & high beam)
• Auto climate control
• Adaptive Cruise Control
• Blind Spot Monitor
• Rear cross-traffic alert
• Traffic Sign Recognition
• Rain-sensing front wipers
• Heated door mirrors

SZ-T Hybrid – From £20,249

(In addition to SZ4 Hybrid)

• Dual sensor brake support
• Apple CarPlay & Android Auto
• Rear parking camera
• 17" alloy wheels
• (Allgrip only) ALLGRIP 4-mode 4-wheel Drive system
• (Allgrip only) Hill Descent Control
• Keyless entry and start (auto only)
• Gear shift paddles (auto only)

SZ5 Hybrid – From £22,249

(In addition to SZ-T Hybrid)

• Keyless entry and start
• 17" Polished Alloy Wheels
• Panoramic sunroof
• Hill hold control
• Keyless entry and start
• Electrically folding door mirrors with built-in turn signal lamp

*Prices and model lines correct at the time of publication

Verdict

Whether or not you lease a Suzuki Vitara ultimately comes down to the kind of vehicle and driving experience you’re after.

Compared to rivals like the Juke, the Captur, or even the Peugeot 2008, it may lose the aesthetic battle without some of their modern quirks. 

However, when it comes to everyday comfort and practicality, the Vitara should be competing right up there with the best in the class of small SUVs.

We, unfortunately, didn’t get a chance to try out the full extent of the Vitara’s off-roading capabilities, but that’s another added bonus that you won’t find with many of its more glamorous rivals.

The design might be a little more simplistic, but we think the Vitara would make a fantastic SUV lease. It does what it says on the tin. It’s practical, spacious and incredibly easy to drive.

Like what you see from this compact SUV? Browse our latest Suzuki Vitara lease deals on both personal and business contract hire terms.