First Impressions: Suzuki Grand Vitara

Another day, another SUV gets launched locally and this time, it is the all-new Suzuki Grand Vitara. We flew down to George to have a closer look at Suzuki’s flagship vehicle.

If you’ve been living under a rock and are not familiar with the model name, the Suzuki Grand Vitara was first introduced in 1988 as a compact SUV, but it wasn’t until 1998 that the name “Grand Vitara” was officially used. It quickly gained popularity for its off-road capabilities and versatility, becoming a best-seller in several markets. The second generation, released in 2005, was larger and more refined, featuring advanced safety and technology features. This is now the 2022 version.

First Looks

The exterior design is quite interesting, with some people alluding to the idea that it looks like a little Jeep Grand Cherokee. The Suzuki Grand Vitara has a modern and sleek exterior design that combines elements of both sportiness and elegance. The front of the vehicle features a bold, chrome-finished grille with a large Suzuki emblem in the center, flanked by sharp LED headlights with integrated daytime running lights. The body of the car is characterized by smooth, flowing lines and curves, with pronounced wheel arches and a distinctive shoulder line running the length of the vehicle. The rear of the car features a sporty-looking bumper with integrated exhaust tips, and LED taillights that wrap around the side of the vehicle.

All models of the Grand Vitara come with roof rails and 17-inch alloy wheels.

Technical Specifications

The Grand Vitara is now available in two different drivetrain options, both using Suzuki’s K15 engine. The K15B engine, also found in the Baleno is a 1.5l that produces 77Kw and 138Nm. The second option is a K15C engine with mild hybrid electric power, and that churns out 75.8Kw and 136.8Nm.

We drove the latter for most of our launch journey and that variant is dubbed the Hybrid All-Grip, albeit it does not sound much like a hybrid, seems to be quite loud to be coined that. We drove to Knysna, Uniondale and back to George, tackling various terrain along the way. Part of our route included a 100km+ stretch of gravel where we put the Grand Vitara to its paces, and it fared quite well. The six-speed automatic transmission and engine pairing work decently together.

Niceties All Around

The Grand Vitara comes in two trim levels, namely GL and GLX. All trims come with keyless entry, keyless start and stop, wireless connectivity for Apple CarPlay and wired Android Auto and electric windows. The GLX model comes with a large panoramic sunroof, wireless charging tray, ambient lighting and a leatherette interior. Safety features are also extensive, with electronic stability control, ABS brakes, Hill hold assist and rear parking sensors being standard in all models.

Overall, the Grand Vitara is a good flagship model for the brand, coming in with a plethora of features and competitive pricing that is sure to capture many consumers locally.

Pricing for the Grand Vitara:
1.5 GL Manual: R339 900
1.5 GL Auto: R359 900
1.5 GLX Manual R397 900
1.5 GLX Auto: R417 900
1.5 GLX Hybrid AllGrip Auto: R529 900

Pricing includes a 6 year/90 000km service plan and a 5 year/200 000km promotional warranty

Words by Reba S