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. Many of 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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Spirited: 2019 Suzuki Vitara 1.4 GLX turbo

Boosted efficiency

Pics by Suzuki@Motorpress

Posted: December 6, 2019

The numbers
Prices: R380 900 (m), R399 900 (a)
Engine: 1373 cc, DOHC 16 valve, four-cylinder, turbocharged
Power: 103 kW at 5500 rom
Torque: 220 Nm between 1500 and 4000 rpm
Zero to 100 km/h: 9.5 seconds
Top speed: 200 km/h
Real life fuel consumption: About 7.2 l/100 km
Tank: 47 litres
Luggage: 375 – 710 litres VDA
Turning circle: 10.4 metres
Ground clearance: 185 mm
Standard tyre: 215/55R17
Warranty: 5 years / 200 000 km, with roadside assistance
Service plan: 4 years / 60 000 km

Vitara's latest news is a new, 1400 cc, turbopetrol engine with little else changed since 2015 apart from extra chrome on the grille and around the fog lamps; LED brake-, DRL- and low beam lights for upper models; touchscreen infotainment for GLXs and a single reversing light rather than twins.  

As before, a 1600 cc, naturally aspirated petrol engine powers five models spread across three spec’ levels with two manual gearboxes, one automatic and an all-wheel-driver.

The new K14C-engined models in GLX trim, with six-speed manual and automatic transmissions, bring the range up to seven.

This motor boasts direct injection and an electronically controlled wastegate that closes to boost pressure under high demand but remains open for lighter driving. This aids engine breathing and boosts efficiency by not consuming fuel unnecessarily; heartier consumption is reserved for when extra power is needed.  

Suzuki almost eliminated turbo lag by fitting the unit directly to the cylinder head and incorporating the exhaust manifold into the head’s casting. This ensures optimum gas flow with minimal heat loss. 

Essentially the same unit fitted to the new Swift Sport, it develops identical power, 103 kilowatts, but slightly less torque. Swift Sport’s engine makes 230 Nm between 2500 and 3500 rpm while Vitara’s version offers 220 Nm between 1500 and 4000 rpm; to better suit the needs of a family-oriented SUV. 

Too technical? Consider this: You’re puttering along at 65 km/h in top gear with the rev counter showing 1500 rpm. Then you put foot and the dormant demon awakes, reeling in roadway at velocities considered inappropriate for school-run and shopping wagons. Using only 2750 rpm at 120 km/h, there’s plenty of thrust available for emergencies. 

Perspective: Swift Sport is one-and-a-half seconds quicker to 100 km/h and peaks 5 km/h faster but weighs 170 kilograms less. And carries significantly less luggage. No height advantage either.

Vitara’s loading deck is about 70 cm high, opening onto a flat floor with little wells on each side; useful for storing empty bags or keeping small items upright. Amenities include a light, 12-volt socket, bag hook, two lashing rings and 12 cm more loading depth under a removable floor board that doubles as a compartment separator. The spare is a steel spacesaver. 

The backseat area is comfortable but not overly endowed; the bottle bins in the doors double as coffee cup holders, there is one seatback map pocket but no central armrest. Further, the central tunnel is high, meaning that any middle passenger should preferably be small.

Positives: The baby seat anchors have top tethers for iSize chairs and a second, centrally mounted courtesy light makes it easier to buckle the little ones in after dark.

Tall drivers have lots of headroom, both seats adjust for height, easy-to-use HVAC controls include speed defrosters for both screens and it’s easy to find the clutch foot’s resting pad in the manual version. Pilot and co-pilot have individual coffee cup wells, there’s enough space for knick-knacks and the combination, leather and suede, seats are nicely supportive. 

Vitara may not be quite as quick as Swift Sport but it holds its own and is more practical.

Test unit from Suzuki Auto SA press fleet

We drove a 1600 cc GL+ in 2016

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 or goat tracks as well. As a result, my test cars do occasionally get dirty. It's all part of the reviewing process.

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 ever I place an article that doesn't cover most things, it's probably because I have dealt with a very similar vehicle 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.

Hope you like what you see, because there are no commercial interests at work here. There are no advertisers and no “editorial policy” rules. I add bylines to acknowledge sponsored launch functions and the manufacturers or dealerships that provide the test vehicles.  And, as quite a few readers have found, I answer every serious enquiry from my home email address, with my phone numbers attached, so you can see I do actually exist.

Comments or questions?
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