An upgraded Suzuki Vitara range is on the way with prices from €20,995 - €26,495, writes Trish Whelan.
The 2019 mid life Vitara will arrive here in mid February and is the most technically advanced Suzuki model to date.
Styling upgrades, advanced levels of safety technology and equipment will be offered along with a new 1.0 and a 1.4 turbocharged petrol engine with Suzuki’s Boosterjet technology.
There are no diesel engines in the line-up, only petrols, as Suzuki is less reliant on diesel than some competitors. At launch today, we learned that the 1.4 turbo petrol engine compares favourably with diesel and should attract diesel buyers.
The 140hp direct injection turbocharged petrol engine offers 17pc more power and a wider spread of torque available from 1,500rpm which is 41pc more than the outgoing 1.6 litre engine.
Three grades are offered: SZ4, SZ-T and SZ5 models.
ALLGRIP is the car maker's 4WD technology and offers four modes: Auto, Sports, Snow and Lock. It is optional on SZ-T and SZ5 models.
Seven airbags, including a driver’s knee airbag, are fitted as standard on all Vitara models along with Cruise Control, USB and Bluetooth, Climate control all electric windows, and alloy wheels.
SZ-T adds new design 17-inch silver painted alloy wheels, rear privacy glass, smartphone link audio and navigation system.
SZ5 adds LED Projector headlights, 17-inch polished alloy wheels, suede seat fabric, keyless entry with start button, Traffic Sign Recognition (also on ALLGRIP models) Adaptive Cruise Control, Dual Sensor Brake Support, Blind Spot Monitor, and a Panoramic sunroof.
The 2019 model is available in two new dual-tone colours of Solar Yellow Pearl and Ice Greyish Blue (the latter pictured above). Customers can choose from a total of 11 different colours.
I got to drive two versions at launch at Finnstown House Hotel in Lucan today - the SZT 1.0 Boosterjet 2WD automatic and the top of the range 1.4 Boosterjet 4WD (ALLGRIP) with 6-speed manual transmission and was very pleasantly surprised by both drives. They should appeal to current Vitara owners as well as to a whole crop of new converts to the brand.
The 1.0 that I drove today is priced at €24,995 OTR, returns 6.1 L/100kms (NEDC) or 5.7 L/100kms which is 37.7mpg (WLTP) for the combined cycle, and has an annual road tax of €270.
The 1.4 four-cylinder 4WD, priced at €28,495 OTR, returns 6.1 L100kms (46.3mpg) NEDC, and 7.5 L/100kms (37.7mpg) WLTP.
All engines are Euro 6 compliant.
Luggage space in both vehicles is expandable from 375 to 710 litres.
The Vitara is produced at the Magyar Suzuki plant in Hungary which also produces all the brand’s S-Cross models for European markets as well as exports around the world.
