SA Road Tests

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This is the home of automobile road tests in South Africa. I drive South African cars, SUVs and LCVs under real-world South African conditions. Most, but not all, the vehicles driven are world cars as well, so what you read here possibly applies to the models you get where you live.

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A dash of vitality: The 2016 Suzuki Vitara 1.6 GL+, 4x2

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Pics by Suzuki@Motorpics
Posted: 24 February 2016

The numbers
Price: R282 900
Engine: 1586 cc, chain driven DOHC, 16-valve, four-cylinder
Power: 86 kW at 6000 rpm
Torque: 151 Nm at 4400 rpm
Zero to 100 km/h: 10.8 seconds
Maximum speed: 180 km/h
Real life fuel consumption: About 6.7 l/100 km
Tank: 47 litres
Luggage space: 375 – 710 litres
Warranty: 3 years / 100 000 km; with roadside assistance
Service plan: 4 years / 60 000 km; at 15 000 km intervals


Thanks to confusing international naming protocols, we never got to see, until recently, Suzukis labelled simply “Vitara” in South Africa. That’s because the car with that name overseas was relabelled Grand Vitara here. Then, over time, bodies stretched and engines grew until our local Grand Vitaras actually became almost “Grande” in the sense of luxury and size.

Eventually, it became time to return to roots. Suzuki introduced a new range of crossovers and SUVs that, while smaller than the Grand Vitaras we now know, are not as petite as the originals. And they called them Vitara. The engine is smaller, at 1600 cc rather than 2400, and instead of an all-4x4 line-up, the new car offers a choice between 4x2 and awd.

On offer are three trim levels, two gearboxes and two drivetrains; making five models altogether. Exclusively front-wheel drivers are GL and GL+ with five-speed manual transmission and GLX with a six-speed automatic. AllGrip (torque-sensing) all-wheel drivers come in GL+ and GLX trim, but only with the stick shift - there’s no automatic AllGrip.

Our test car was the next-to-entry level GL+ with 4x2. While GL is fairly basic, Plus versions are better equipped. Look for alloy wheels; smarter fabric upholstery; various trim items in body colour rather than black; leather covered steering wheel; cruise control with limiter; electric windows all around (not just in front); an automatic (single channel) air conditioner; lights in the glove box, foot well, boot and console box; a 12-volt socket in the boot; privacy glass in the rearmost windows and a few items of bright-work. These nice-to-haves add   R33 000 to the basic price.

Not that GL is at all shabby: It offers seven airbags; ISOFix; steering wheel remotes; Bluetooth hands-free; disc brakes all ‘round with ABS, EBD, BA and ESP; skid plates front and rear; a squeeze pad tailgate opener; electric mirrors; height adjustment for both front seats and a trip computer.

Driving impressions: Even though maximum torque is developed fairly high, at 4400 rpm, it lugs well. The car cruises at about 3000 rpm for 120 km/h in top gear and roll-on acceleration is fair. It’s no turbo, but not as wimpy as some others either, maintaining speed up inclines better than might be expected. Suzuki puts this performance advantage down to light weight – only 1075 kg for 4x2 manuals.

Driving comfort scored well with the fabric covered seats being resiliently firm rather than hard - as often happens with leather for example. We found the gearbox slightly notchy but its action was positive and gears well-spaced. The same could be said of the control pedals, while the footrest was easy to get to. As expected, the steering wheel adjusts for both height and reach.

Parking was easy thanks to its 10.4-metre turning circle and the view outward was clear. Although the parking brake was set for left-hand drive it was easy enough to reach and its action was smooth and positive. There is a gear change indicator but we decided before long that the seat of one’s pants is more accurate and intuitive.

Fixtures and fittings: The load area is neat and square with a pair of small wells at the sides. It’s slightly lower than counter top height at 73 cm and its removable floor board reveals a further 14 cm of loading depth or doubles as a cargo area divider. A light, the 12-volt socket mentioned earlier and either two or six (board removed) lashing rings help to keep loads secured. Rear seatbacks split 60:40 to lie almost flat. The spare is a spacesaver.

Surprisingly, for its relatively short (4175mm) body, rear seat space is generous. Our tall tester declared head-, knee and foot room excellent although he felt that the backrests were a little too upright for sustained comfort. Three head restraints and full belts are provided and storage space throughout the cabin is generous. The colour scheme is a tasteful light grey over black, the radio and air control panel is neat and uncluttered and, although all the plastic is hard, it fits together well.

Conclusion: We’re glad Suzuki decided to go back to basics by offering a less-Grand Vitara. While its awd won’t be quite as capable as the full house version on the bigger cars, this “plain” Vitara is decently spacious, drives well, is noticeably less expensive to feed and will probably tick more boxes for urban families.

Test car from Suzuki Auto SA press fleet

We drove the 1.4 turbo in 2019

What We Do

This is a one-man show, which means that every car reviewed is given my personal evaluation and receives my own seat of the pants judgement - no second hand input here.
Every test car goes through real world driving; on city streets littered with potholes, speed bumps and rumble strips, on freeways and if its profile demands, dirt roads as well.

I do my best to include relevant information like real life fuel economy or a close mathematical calculation, boot size or luggage space, whether the space is both usable and accessible, whether life-sized people can use the back seat (where that applies), basic specs of the vehicle and performance figures if they are published. In the case of clearly identified launch reports, fuel figures are of necessity the laboratory numbers provided with the release material. If I ever place an article that doesn't cover most things, it's probably because I have dealt with that vehicle at least once already, so you will be able to find what you want in another report under the same manufacturer's heading in the menu on the left.

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