The Suzuki Grand Vitara is now long in the tooth, having been in the Philippines since 2006. The small SUV stayed unique due to it being the only small SUV in its class to utilize a body-on-frame chassis similar to vehicles like the Fortuner, Montero Sport, and Everest. This all-new Vitara, now ditching the Grand moniker, has finally been launched in the Philippines.
The new Vitara ditches its unique body-on-frame construction for a more modren unibody design. In the process of ditching its “Grand” moniker, it has become dimensionally smaller, too, now embracing itself as a subcompact crossover that is aimed squarely towards the best selling Ford EcoSport. It’s not a direct replacement, but rather, something that will slot in between the Jimny and Grand Vitara. Plus it’s not actually that “new”, as the Vitara has been launched back in the 2014 Paris Auto Show. The new Vitara looks cool in this two-tone aquamarine sort of paint that it has going on. A cool touch that will be cool for millennials like us is that, the top trim GLX comes with a large panoramic sunroof. Other differences on the outside that separate the high trim GLX from the GL+ are the 17-inch alloy wheels and full-LED headlights.
Step inside the Suzuki Vitara, and it gains a more youthful interior that’s perfect for the millennials this car is targeting. Front and center in the GLX variant is a large 10-inch Android-based infotainment system, which sports AM/FM, Bluetooth, USB, Aux, and Wi-Fi connectivity. GL+ comes with a 7-inch touch screen instead, while automatic climate control is standard on all variants, which is good in a country like ours. A twin-binnacle gauge set up creates a sporty vibe in the interior, and sandwiched by the two gauges is a TFT LCD screen that shows useful information. An analog clock in the middle of the two aircon vents is a cool touch.
Powering the Suzuki Vitara is a single choice 1.6 liter inline-4 petrol engine that produces 115 hp and 156 Nm of torque, with power sent through a multi-mode and capable four wheel drive system, via a 6-speed automatic transmission. A base front wheel drive with a manual transmission will be offered soon.
We applaud Suzuki for offering electronic stability control as standard, as we at Go Flat Out believe this should be offered as standard on all cars. Other safety features, which are impressive, consists of a rear foglight, ISOFIX child seat anchor points, hill hold assist, cruise control, and a host of airbags.
The Suzuki is priced from P938,000 for the GL+, and P1,048,000 for the GLX, while an entry level GL will be arriving soon. All Suzuki Vitaras are sourced from their factory in Hungary, and considering it is sourced from Europe, we’re very surprised at its competitive pricing.
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