Suzuki Vitara?
Discussion
Last summer, with imminent MOT failure, dodgy DMF and huge bills within sight I levered a reluctant Mrs S out of the 14 year old Kia Sportage that she'd enjoyed for 6 years.
As her mileage and journey lengths had gone down, we decided a small petrol hatchback would be more appropriate, and her familiarity with the Kia brand put her into a 2 year old Kia Rio.
Mrs S doesn't like change of any sort, and the transition to the smaller car didn't go that well. It wasn't helped when a taxi emerging from a junction collided with her. Mrs S is adamant the collision wouldn't have occurred had she been in a bigger, easier to see car. :sigh:
Anyhow, after months of discontent and persistent whinging, I'm now resigned to put her in something bigger.
Her annual mileage is about 8k made up of mainly short journeys. A higher seating position is a must as are 4 doors. Budget is £11k including trade in and we don't really want anything over 4 years old.
The Suzuki vitara with the apparently frugal 1.6 petrol engine would seem to fit the bill,
Any owners on here care to share their experience, or is there something better that isn't French?
As her mileage and journey lengths had gone down, we decided a small petrol hatchback would be more appropriate, and her familiarity with the Kia brand put her into a 2 year old Kia Rio.
Mrs S doesn't like change of any sort, and the transition to the smaller car didn't go that well. It wasn't helped when a taxi emerging from a junction collided with her. Mrs S is adamant the collision wouldn't have occurred had she been in a bigger, easier to see car. :sigh:
Anyhow, after months of discontent and persistent whinging, I'm now resigned to put her in something bigger.
Her annual mileage is about 8k made up of mainly short journeys. A higher seating position is a must as are 4 doors. Budget is £11k including trade in and we don't really want anything over 4 years old.
The Suzuki vitara with the apparently frugal 1.6 petrol engine would seem to fit the bill,
Any owners on here care to share their experience, or is there something better that isn't French?
My daughter needed a new car 9 months ago, and me being fed up sorting her previous older cars, I decided to give a 50% contribution towards a newer one. Had to be my choice though! After lots of research, these seemed to be the best newest car for£10k.
Went for a 1.6 petrol SZ4. Aircon, cruise etc. nothing fancy. The extra for the SZ5 didn't seem worth it.
Engine bay is huge, and not only can you see everything, you can also get a spanner on things!
Research shows not much goes wrong.
At your price point, the new smaller turbo comes into the equation, and gets decent reviews. You should also get one with balance of warranty, and to extend for further years is about £240 pa.
It's not too exciting to drive, but does its job, and so far very reliable. Tax is £120, and she easily gets 47 mpg, traveling 35 miles per day.
All in all, it does seem like a new reliable 10 year old design, with not many new fangled bits to go wrong. Not a bad idea really.
Went for a 1.6 petrol SZ4. Aircon, cruise etc. nothing fancy. The extra for the SZ5 didn't seem worth it.
Engine bay is huge, and not only can you see everything, you can also get a spanner on things!
Research shows not much goes wrong.
At your price point, the new smaller turbo comes into the equation, and gets decent reviews. You should also get one with balance of warranty, and to extend for further years is about £240 pa.
It's not too exciting to drive, but does its job, and so far very reliable. Tax is £120, and she easily gets 47 mpg, traveling 35 miles per day.
All in all, it does seem like a new reliable 10 year old design, with not many new fangled bits to go wrong. Not a bad idea really.
Wife has a 1.6 GLX auto (Spanish top spec) bought new in 2016. Does what it says on the tin, totally reliable, economical and quiet. A little gutless so the newer 1.4 turbo may be better. Having said that the simplicity of a normally aspirated engine is in my mind an advantage.
Starts first time every time, is quiet on the motorway and has all the goodies that seem to be required nowadays. 5yr guarantee parts and labour. Cheap servicing. In 50000 Kms its only cost one set of tyres, no issues at all. Rattle free.
My only complaint is the dreadful adaptive cruise control which drives me nuts, so I just don't use it.
6.7l/100km = 42.1mpg UK over the 3 years we have had it. Not bad in an auto.
Starts first time every time, is quiet on the motorway and has all the goodies that seem to be required nowadays. 5yr guarantee parts and labour. Cheap servicing. In 50000 Kms its only cost one set of tyres, no issues at all. Rattle free.
My only complaint is the dreadful adaptive cruise control which drives me nuts, so I just don't use it.
6.7l/100km = 42.1mpg UK over the 3 years we have had it. Not bad in an auto.
sparkythecat said:
Sounds encouraging chaps. I'll take her to have a look at one and see if she likes it.
What wheels and tyres is yours running Mykap?
What wheels and tyres is yours running Mykap?
Edited by sparkythecat on Monday 22 April 10:40
Came with Continentals, changed to BF Goodrich at 34K km 17". Its 2wd but with snow socks on it handled what Candanchu could throw at it in 2017 with ease.
Had three G.Vits, the last with the 2.4 engine. The current G.V. is 'all new' from around 2015 when Suzuki eco-fied their range.
To add to the above, the current 1.0 BoosterJet was fitted in my 2016 Baleno and did pretty well, plenty of torque low down and a 'boosty' kick from 3000 rpm heading up to 5000 rpm. Nice car to drive. G.V. is a bit heavier. They are a bit conservative inside but drive well.
Engine choice is now 1.0 or 1.4 BoosterJet turbo.
Suzuki UK insist on 9 month or 12,500 mile service intervals 'whichever comes first.' On a low miler, the 9 month service rankles a bit.
Worth a test drive. My local Suzuki dealer always has half a dozen used ones, SZ4 is the base spec, SZT the mid, and SZ5 with the lane departure and radar-cruise.
To add to the above, the current 1.0 BoosterJet was fitted in my 2016 Baleno and did pretty well, plenty of torque low down and a 'boosty' kick from 3000 rpm heading up to 5000 rpm. Nice car to drive. G.V. is a bit heavier. They are a bit conservative inside but drive well.
Engine choice is now 1.0 or 1.4 BoosterJet turbo.
Suzuki UK insist on 9 month or 12,500 mile service intervals 'whichever comes first.' On a low miler, the 9 month service rankles a bit.
Worth a test drive. My local Suzuki dealer always has half a dozen used ones, SZ4 is the base spec, SZT the mid, and SZ5 with the lane departure and radar-cruise.
Edited by Slushbox on Monday 22 April 12:47
The Vitara's are good cars & you will get a very well spec'd Vitara for your budget but the 1.6 is a bit under powered so not as frugal real world as the Kuga's below just because you have to work the engine harder.
SZ5
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
SZ4
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
Other alternatives:
Jeep Renegade Limited
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
Kuga Titanium
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
Zetec
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
Kia Sportage 2
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
SZ5
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
SZ4
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
Other alternatives:
Jeep Renegade Limited
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
Kuga Titanium
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
Zetec
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
Kia Sportage 2
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
ZX10R NIN said:
The Vitara's are good cars & you will get a very well spec'd Vitara for your budget but the 1.6 is a bit under powered so not as frugal real world as the Kuga's below just because you have to work the engine harder.
I can't see how the Ford Kuga is going to be more frugal. It typically weighs 300 to 400kg more than the Vitara. I have a swift sport. It’s a 1.6 and I guess some bits are same as 1.6 in the vitata. It’s a bloody great engine ! . Not best on fuel etc and 9,000 miles service but who cares when Nothing goes wrong.
As for rest of stuff it’s typical jap, logical and works. I really rate Suzuki as a brand of late to be honest.
As for rest of stuff it’s typical jap, logical and works. I really rate Suzuki as a brand of late to be honest.
We bought a new Vitara S with the Boosterjet engine two years ago.
Has now done nearly 30k miles and nothing whatsoever has gone wrong.
The engine is very frugal, pulls well, and as standard has loads of kit.
Hard plastics abound inside though, so it’s built to a price point and looks like it.
Only problem is the 9k mile servicing which is frankly stupid for a 1.4 engine.
We bought it to replace an aging Forester, and to run alongside the wife’s F80 M3.
Got rid of the M3 and never replaced it, so she uses the Vitara all the time.
Has now done nearly 30k miles and nothing whatsoever has gone wrong.
The engine is very frugal, pulls well, and as standard has loads of kit.
Hard plastics abound inside though, so it’s built to a price point and looks like it.
Only problem is the 9k mile servicing which is frankly stupid for a 1.4 engine.
We bought it to replace an aging Forester, and to run alongside the wife’s F80 M3.
Got rid of the M3 and never replaced it, so she uses the Vitara all the time.
An old work colleague performed an engine transplant on an old white and pink ‘Barbie’ Vitara: in went a 2.0 16v Nissan Almera GTi engine. 4wd removed, converted to rwd. Welded diff. What a machine that was; viscous, proud and aggressive wheelspin right thorough first gear and sometimes into second gear. Straight through pipes ensured a suitably aggressive and proud exhaust tone. Embarrassed many machines.
An old work colleague performed an engine transplant on an old white and pink ‘Barbie’ Vitara: in went a 2.0 16v Nissan Almera GTi engine. 4wd removed, converted to rwd. Welded diff. What a machine that was; viscous, proud and aggressive wheelspin right thorough first gear and sometimes into second gear. Straight through pipes ensured a suitably aggressive and proud exhaust tone. Embarrassed many machines.
Ilovejapcrap said:
Hello all.
Anyone got a vitara with the 1.4 booster jet engine and auto box. Interested in real world MPG compared to manual.
The Mrs is looking ag them. Thanks
We have a 2019 vitara with the 1.4 booster jet and auto box, front wheel drive. Not the more recent mild hybrid. Anyone got a vitara with the 1.4 booster jet engine and auto box. Interested in real world MPG compared to manual.
The Mrs is looking ag them. Thanks
Had it for over 2 years 24k miles with average of 38mpg, mainly bimbling about. It will do 45mpg on a steady run.
Havent had any issues. Its surprisingly sprightly, being the same engine as the swift sport.
Would recommend, some of the trim is a bit cheap feeling, but the main touch points are fine
Interesting thread resurrection. I have a 1.6 NA so can't help with turbo engines.
I used to have an 2005 Ignis before this with the 1.5 engine.
What I can't get used to on the newer 1.6 engine is how much slower it feels. I know it is a bigger and heavier car but it feels like the throttle is strangled. It revs so slowly compared to the Ignis.
My car is 2018, is this due to fuel particulate filter?
I used to have an 2005 Ignis before this with the 1.5 engine.
What I can't get used to on the newer 1.6 engine is how much slower it feels. I know it is a bigger and heavier car but it feels like the throttle is strangled. It revs so slowly compared to the Ignis.
My car is 2018, is this due to fuel particulate filter?
sawman said:
Ilovejapcrap said:
Hello all.
Anyone got a vitara with the 1.4 booster jet engine and auto box. Interested in real world MPG compared to manual.
The Mrs is looking ag them. Thanks
We have a 2019 vitara with the 1.4 booster jet and auto box, front wheel drive. Not the more recent mild hybrid. Anyone got a vitara with the 1.4 booster jet engine and auto box. Interested in real world MPG compared to manual.
The Mrs is looking ag them. Thanks
Had it for over 2 years 24k miles with average of 38mpg, mainly bimbling about. It will do 45mpg on a steady run.
Havent had any issues. Its surprisingly sprightly, being the same engine as the swift sport.
Would recommend, some of the trim is a bit cheap feeling, but the main touch points are fine
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