2016 Suzuki Vitara RT-S automatic REVIEW – Plenty Of Space, But Lacks A Little Shine
SUZUKI'S LATEST COMPACT SUV IS A LOT OF CAR FOR THE MONEY, WITH PLENTY OF SPACE, AN EXCELLENT INFOTAINMENT SYSTEM AND GOOD FUEL ECONOMY.
Sure, it’s cheap inside, but it’s built to a price.
In manual guise, the Suzuki Vitara is a ripper. The automatic version isn’t quite as convincing, though, with a gearbox that doesn’t always want to play the game. Still, if it’s a self-shifter you want, not much else in this price range will touch it.
Vehicle Style: Compact SUV
Price: $23,990 (plus on-roads)
Engine/trans: 88kW/156Nm 1.6-litre 4cyl petrol | 6spd auto
Fuel Economy claimed: 6.0 l/100km | tested: 7.9 l/100km
OVERVIEW
After years of making the smallest true four-wheel-drive on the market, Suzuki has gone where the dollars are headed and created a compact SUV which is driven by the front wheels only.
For those looking for the 4WD capability of the old Vitara, that time has passed. Now, it’s a city car, an inexpensive 'wagon' with more room than a Swift, sits a lot higher and is still reasonably economical.
We say reasonably, because with any more than one person aboard, the engine can struggle and fuel use goes up accordingly. Still, as a city runabout with an elevated seating position, it has all the mod-cons that most desire, making it a good little package.
We took one for a week, chucked the family in and recorded how it handled daily life. Here’s our verdict.