The current Suzuki Vitara is no longer a real off-road vehicle - rather a compact SUV. But how reliable is it as a used vehicle?
Berlin (dpa / tmn) - At least the name lives on: While the Vitara model used to be a genuine, if small, off-road vehicle, the current namesake drives in the popular class of compact SUVs.
And on the road to success, at least with a view to its performance in the main inspection (HU). The puncture resistance is also exemplary.
Model history: The Japanese small and off-road vehicle specialist Suzuki brought the Vitara type LY to dealers in 2015. Its direct predecessor, the Grand Vitara, was already included in the SUV category. At the end of 2018 there was the facelift, in which the front section and rear lights were revised. Changes in the range of engines brought the end of diesel.
Body variants: As an SUV, the Vitara is a jacked-up five-door car - technically speaking it is a station wagon because the trunk is connected to the passenger compartment. As a three-door car like before, it no longer exists.
Dimensions: 4.18 mx 1.78 mx 1.61 m (LxWxH), trunk volume: 375 l to 1120 l.
Strengths: The Vitara still masters easy terrain, but its real strength is reliability. "The number of complaint-free Vitara is well above the average, he is very reluctant to report significant defects," writes the "Auto Bild Tüv Report 2020" about the HU's performance. Defects in wheel suspensions, springs, dampers and steering joints are rare, and there is no rust on the chassis. Service and parking brakes receive as little criticism as brake lines and hoses.
Weaknesses: The Vitara is no longer a real off-roader, you shouldn't have this expectation. The processing leaves something to be desired here and there. At the first HU, the inspectors sometimes complain about the front and rear lighting, and there is also oil loss, but only at the average level.
Breakdown behavior: With reference to its breakdown statistics, the ADAC writes: "The Vitara performs well to very well." The club does not report any statistically relevant flaws. Of course, this does not mean that in individual cases, roadside helpers do not have to be called.
Engines: petrol (three and four cylinder with front and all-wheel drive): 82 kW / 111 PS and 103 kW / 140 PS; Diesel (four-cylinder with front and all-wheel drive): 88 kW / 119 hp.
Market prices (according to "DAT Markttspiegel" by Deutsche Automobil Treuhand, each with statistically expected kilometers):
- Vitara 1.6 Comfort 4x4 (2015); 88 kW / 119 hp (four-cylinder); 71,000 kilometers; 12,400 euros.
- Vitara 1.0 Club (2018); 82 kW / 111 hp (three-cylinder); 30,000 kilometers; 13 050 euros.
- Vitara 1.6 DDiS Comfort 4x4 (2016); 88 kW / 119 hp (four-cylinder); 70,000 kilometers; 13 200 euros.
