The Suzuki Vitara has received a mid-cycle makeover
this summer. The 2019MY Vitara adopts a slightly revised design with the exterior
adopting a redesigned grille and subtly restyled bumper, new LED taillights and
new alloy wheels.
The interior gains
brighter silver accents on the dashboard, doors and center console, soft
padding above the instrument panel, and a geometric pattern for the silver
dashboard panel. The instrument cluster has been refreshed too and features a
color central information display.
The mechanical changes are more important, with the highlight being the new turbocharged Boosterjet engines. Sourced from
the S-Cross, they replace the previous model’s normally aspirated 1.6-liter
units.
Entry-level 2019 Vitaras gain a 1.0-liter
turbocharged three-cylinder that delivers 111 PS, while more upscale
trims are fitted with a 1.4-liter turbo-four producing 140 PS and 220
Nm of torque. There’s no official word on diesel
powertrains.
Suzuki’s AllGrip four-wheel drive system is
available as an option for both engines, either with manual or automatic
transmissions. The most economical version is the Vitara 1.0 Boosterjet
front-wheel-drive manual model with a claimed average fuel economy of 5.3 l/100
km (53.3 mpg UK, 44.4 mpg US) and corresponding CO2 emissions of 121 g/km
(NEDC).
The Vitara also sees updates as far as safety is
concerned, with the previous model’s Radar Brake Support (RBS) being replaced
by Dual Sensor Brake Support (DSBS). While RBS only relied on millimeter-wave
radar, DSBS uses both a monocular camera and laser radar (MFL), adding
pedestrian detection to the collision damage mitigation braking function. DSBS includes Lane Departure
Warning and Prevention, Traffic Sign Recognition, Blind Spot Monitor, and Rear
Cross Traffic Alert.
Suzuki hasn’t released pricing yet in all markets,
but in Germany, the 2019 Vitara starts at € 18,650 (US$ 21,925),
according to the automaker’s local sales website.
