Suzuki vitara 2016 turbo

2016 Suzuki Vitara S Turbo review (video)

Five years ago the acronym CUV didn’t even resist. Automotive journalists were still approaching the term SUV with caution, what with the American connotation and all. Fast-forward to 2016 and not only are CUVs a thing, they’re the most ravenously exploding segment in Australian car sales.

Now then, the new 2016 Suzuki Vitara S Turbo. Suzuki’s entrant into the tightly-competitive CUV market segment (or Small SUV segment as it’s known by VFACTS) has to go head-to-head with the likes of the popular Mazda CX-3, Honda HR-V, Mitsubishi ASX and Nissan Qashqai. With competition like this, it really needs to shine to get the attention of the buying public.

And that’s what we’re here to discover, whether the Vitara S Turbo is worth your time, consideration, and 29 thousand of your dollars.

S Turbo 1.4 auto 2WD — $28,990 ($29,990 drive-away)
S Turbo 1.4 auto 4WD — $32,990 (excluding on-road costs)

2016 Suzuki Vitara S Turbo – THE SPECS

Engine: 1.4-litre turbo four-cylinder
Output: 103kW@5500rpm / 220Nm@1500-4000rpm
Transmission: Six-speed auto
Drive type: Front-wheel drive
Wheels: F: 17×6.5, 215/55 R: 17×6.5, 215/55
ANCAP: Not tested
Kerb weight: 1160kg
Power-to-weight: 11.26:1 (kg:kW)
Official fuel economy: 5.9L/100km
Economy during test: 6L/100km

Fuel capacity/Type: 47L/95 RON
Power efficiency: 17.45kW:L/100km
0-60km/h: 3.80 seconds
0-100km/h: 8.43 seconds
1/8 mile: 11 seconds at 112.6km/h
1/4 mile: 16.20 seconds at 140.5km/h
100-0km/h braking: 2.98 seconds at 38.47 metres
Decibel at idle: 41
Peak decibel at 60-100km/h: 88
Peak stereo decibel: 99
Priced from: $28,990

2016 Suzuki Vitara S Turbo – THE PACKAGE

Approaching the Vitara S Turbo, the optional two-tone finish looks great in this Horizon Orange option – it reminds us of the Range Rover Evoque and its Zanibar Bronze colour scheme. Suzuki says around 60 per cent of buyers are going for the two-tone black roof option ($995), available in an assortment of colours, and thus added an exclusive red and black combination for the S Turbo.

The front grille is attractive without appearing too flashy, with some chrome accents and an intricate LED headlamp design. The wheel arches are finished in black, matching the 17-inch alloy wheels and complimented by the black roof and pillars, with chrome roof rails. We think the Vitara is a genuinely attractive offering, and certainly an exciting and fresh take on the compact SUV segment.

You can’t accuse the Vitara of being boring on the outside, but it’s a shame the inside hasn’t carried through the design flair. Sure, there are comfortable leather/suede seats, and a leather-wrapped wheel complete with flappy paddles, but there’s also a lot of cheap plastic trim. Suzuki has tried to amp up the atmosphere to some success with red surrounds for the air vents and red stitching. If that’s not enough, there’s a large Turbo badge that sits in front of the passenger to remind them this isn’t a normal Vitara.

Having said that, it is a practical offering for its modestly petite proportions, offering space for five with moderate headroom, if a little tight for rear passengers. The 375L/1120L boot is obstructed by thick plastic on either side but can still accommodate a week’s worth of shopping or luggage for a weekend away.

An area the Vitara really shines is the amount of kit you get for your money. With keyless entry, seven airbags, a reversing camera, climate control, automatic and self-levelling LED headlights, automatic wipers, cruise control, electric-folding mirrors, and satellite navigation all as standard, it becomes one of the best value propositions in this class.

Suzuki’s infotainment unit isn’t a class-leader in terms of appearance or functionality, but the good news is the Vitara comes with Apple CarPlay support (sorry Android users), and that interface looks great.

2016 Suzuki Vitara S Turbo – THE DRIVE

Driving the Vitara S Turbo, like the regular Vitara, is a breeze. It’s one of those vehicles that anybody can drive and immediately feel confident with. The controls and driving characteristics are completely intuitive and relaxed. It isn’t a big car either, so navigating car parks is simple thanks to its 4175mm length – shorter than a Mazda CX-3, despite offering more space inside.

The S Turbo is the most powerful variant in the new Vitara lineup, pumping out 103kW and 220Nm from a turbocharged 1.4-litre four-cylinder. While these headline stats don’t suggest much of a spirited drive, the S Turbo weights just 1160kg, nearly 200kg lighter than the Honda HR-V. Our review car here is the front-wheel drive variant, with all-wheel drive available at a $3000 premium.

So how does the engine compare to its non-turbo counterpart? The power delivery can be a bit unpredictable due to a capable but temperamental six-speed sports automatic transmission, but there’s a steady stream of torque on hand from just 1500rpm all the way up to 4000rpm. This makes a huge difference in daily conditions as it means you don’t have to push the little machine as hard to keep up with traffic, especially out on the highway, compared with the 86kW 1.6 Vitara.

We had fun in this front-wheel drive version. In the wet the front end tries to bite down and struggles for grip as you add more throttle. This isn’t behaviour that you’d normally associate with a Suzuki Vitara, so it’s nice to see its more adventurous side. In dry conditions we timed 0-100km/h in a respectable 8.43 seconds, which is significantly quicker than the 11.68 seconds we achieved in the non-turbo automatic Vitara 2WD 1.6. It also betters the 109kW Mazda CX-3 2.0L (8.8) and 105kW Honda HR-V (9.2).

Don’t be fooled by the turbo badge and the connotations of terrible ride quality that usually comes with hotted-up variants. Suzuki hasn’t touched the suspension, so the Vitara S Turbo is equally as comfortable on the road as its less-powerful brethren.

Too often the quality of a car’s ride is ruined by an increase in power that inevitably leads to suspension tweaks, so we’re happy to report Suzuki has kept comfort a high priority in the Vitara S Turbo. This means, in its element, the city run-around, it remains compliant and smooth, with some hints of rubbery bounce in traditional SUV form.

That leads us onto one of the Vitara’s biggest trump cars. Its economy. Despite the increased power and respectable performance over the non-turbo version, you can still return a sub six-litre figure per 100km. We were able to better the ADR combined cycle claim of 5.9L/100km, emphasising the Vitara’s adaptability. Suzuki vehicles have always been renowned for sipping fuel. In that respect, fans and return-buyers won’t be disappointed here.

2016 Suzuki Vitara S Turbo – THE VIDEO

2016 Suzuki Vitara S Turbo – THE VERDICT

We won’t go as far as saying the Vitara S Turbo has two distinctly different personalities, but it can shift between a quiet run-around to a modest performer remarkably well. Objectively speaking, this is an attractive offering from the get-go, with its performance, practicality and generous equipment offering resulting in an exceptional value package.

Adding a turbocharger to the Vitara hasn’t made it a thoroughbred, nor was it intended too, but it has given the Vitara a bit more personality. You may not have considered the Suzuki Vitara before, but we’re here to tell you it is time to check this one out. The Vitara is now pinching at the heels of the class favourites; it would be a very difficult choice between this, the CX-3, and the Honda HR-V in our opinion.

PROS:
– Fashionable design, especially with black roof option
– Decent performance
– Outstanding economy
– Overall value; packed with features
– Practicality and simplicity

CONS:
– Engine can be noisy
– Transmission (at times)
– Touch-screen interface functionality

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2016 Suzuki Vitara Turbo 2WD review

Suzuki’s Vitara jets to the pointy end of the small SUV pack thanks to a new 1.4 turbo engine, aptly named the ‘Boosterjet’.

As the small SUV area continues to expand, up 28 per cent last year, Suzuki is set to gain an increased market share with Vitara Turbo. Well, it should if there’s any justice in the world. Two versions are available, a front driver for $34k which features here, and a 4WD variant for an extra $4000. We’ve not checked out the latter but given how awesome the 2WD model is we’d suggest pocketing the savings. And we reckon it might give the similarly priced market darling CX-3 a scare. For it has a grand mix of design and drive delights, mixing decent performance with surprising economy, exacting handling with accommodating comfort. Plus there’s better interior space than the Mazda can offer. All in all, given price, a thoroughly decent thing.

Suzuki, like most, has its hits. Swift continues to sell well here, and the Swift Sport is a bang for buck benchmark. Hopefully one day it inherits Vitara Turbo’s “Boosterjet” engine. The reason the top Vitara surprises on so many fronts is its surprising lack of weight – it’s 100kg less than the equivalent CX-3. It scaled up at just 1163kg brimmed, yet doesn’t feel flimsy or insubstantial as a result. It’s packing heat too. Under the blood-red bonnet nestles a D.I 1.4-litre turbo, and it’s a wee ripper.Reminds of the Trax right? For engine type and capacity maybe but that vehicle weighs over 1400kg.

Anyhow, this 1.4T is the real deal. Its turbo is attached to the cylinder head with the exhaust manifold incorporated in the same casting, resulting in minimal lag. On the case as soon as 1500rpm has registered, peak torque of 220Nm (up 41 per cent on the 1.6) is said to be on tap from there until 4000rpm, and while best performance demands the full allotment of 6000rpm, Vitara goes like a good thing from 3000-4500rpm. It aced our reference hill climb road with entirely adequate go-power and acceleration up the ascent, hanging on for grim death on a partly wet track, making it quite a delight to punt. Yet only once after serious provocation did fuel use climb into double figures. It’s rated at 5.9L/100km overall, can easily march along on cruise control in the fours at highway speeds and is quiet on the go, despite running 215/55R17s. The six-speed auto works well too, meaning little need to get paddling.

Suzuki rates 0-100 performance laughably at 9.5sec. With persistence, a best run of 7.9sec popped up. One can only surmise the Suzuki test drivers do performance runs in pairs, into a head wind and throw in some luggage for bad measure.

There’s some torque steer but only a hint, and not enough to detract from the drive. It’s surprising how well this sticks, though of late Suzuki chassis have been a bit good, even the diminutive Celerio. This is likewise a talent, thanks in part to a firmer spring and damper settings than on standard Vitara. Despite its slightly high-riding status – which makes for brilliant ease of exit and entry – it delivers nuanced dynamics, resisting understeer longer than you’d reasonably expect, and with electric steering that’s nicely weighted and without the usual artificiality of such devices. Being a lightweight it’s all-disc braking complement fares well too.

Okay, so not too many really care about cornering capers in this class of car. But rest assured Vitara Turbo’s goodness does not end there. Unlike some of the other subcompact offerings, passengers aren’t subjected to sardine packaging, there being quite reasonable stretch space, knee room particularly not in short supply. Suzuki doesn’t really mention luggage capacity in the press release, presumably because there’s not a whole lot there. We went digging and found a figure of 375L before split folding, up slightly on the CX-3’s 350L. It’s enough for a modest supermarket spend. They’re called small SUVs for good reason.

Subtly different design elements distinguish this from commoner Vitaras, the mirror caps, special grille and body colours being external cues, while red highlights inside (about the instruments and air vents) along with leather and suede upholstery mark out the interior. We really liked the black and red Crusaders colour scheme on our vehicle, so figure the 4wd version of this will be popular in the Garden City. Spec levels are competitive too including seven airbags, a reversing camera with sonar each end, LED headlights and DRLs, sat nav, comfort entry, climate air and cruise control. There’s Apple CarPlay and a five-star ANCAP crash test result as well.

About the only aspects I didn’t much like were the fiddly volume control though there’s a remote device on the wheel so no biggie, and a few too many hard plastics. None of the oddments bins are lined either. Vitara Turbo is a genuine surprise package. If you’re considering a subcompact SUV in the early 30s, we’d suggest starting here.

Model	Suzuki Vitara Turbo 2wd	Price	$33,990
Engine	1373cc, IL4, DI, 103kW/220Nm	Drivetrain	6-speed auto, front-wheel drive
Fuel Use	5.9L/100km	C02 Output	138g/km
0-100km/h	7.86sec	Weight	1163kg

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