© JAMES TAYLOR
Editor: Land Rover Enthusiast Magazine

BACKGROUND

Flushed with the success of the diminutive SJ models in Europe and the USA, Suzuki decided to develop a small four-wheel drive which was more consciously styled and had better road performance and handling. The result was announced in 1988 as the Vitara (or Escudo back home in Japan).

The Vitara was the first of a new breed of four-wheel drive, designed to behave like a car on the road and featuring smart styling to attract Fashion-conscious buyers. Daihatsu had hit on the same idea and introduced their Sportrak at exactly the same time, but it was less adventurous than the Vitara and ultimately less successful. By the beginning of 1995, more than 800,000 Vitaras had been built, making the vehicle by far the most popular of its type worldwide. Some 34,000 examples had found buyers in Britain.

The original Vitara was developed over the years, but it has only ever been available with petrol engines: Lion Heart models using Peugeot 1.9-litre turbodiesel power are professional aftermarket conversions. The original three-door Hard Top was followed by a Soft Top (where a rear seat was an optional extra), and then LWB five-door family estates arrived in 1991. These were further enhanced when a more powerful V6-engined five-door was introduced at the end of 1994. Meanwhile, Suzuki had remorselessly tested the market for the Vitara by introducing increasingly more convenience equipment, cosmetic dress-up items and luxury options. Air conditioning and automatic transmission were unheard-of at this level of the market - but by mid-1990 they could be had on a Vitara from Suzuki or a number of aftermarket suppliers. In that sense, the model is a direct four-wheel drive equivalent of the hot hatch saloon car, appealing to young image-conscious buyers. Suzuki have even managed to sell van versions of the SWB Vitara to commercial users - an astonishing tribute to the sheer breadth of the vehicle's market appeal.

Character summary

The Vitara is all about style and image, and its good road performance helps it to appeal to former saloon car drivers much better than most other four- wheel drives. The SWB models are the direct equivalent of the hot hatch; the LWB family estates are rather more sober vehicles but offer considerably more style and image than many estate-type cars and four-wheel drives of similar cost. The latest LWB V6 is exceptional in this field.

However, there is world of difference between the fun-appeal of a Vitara Soft Top with only two seats and the stylish practicality of a LWB five-door family estate. Also, many Vitara drivers tend to ignore the vehicle's off-road capability, being too proud of the gleaming paintwork and array of custom extras ever to dream of getting them muddy.

Perormance summary

Despite the sporting appeal of its high-reving 16-valve petrol engine, the four-cylinder Vitara is not a fast road machine, except by comparison with other four-wheel drives. It is quick enough, though, and the LWB V6 is quicker again. Both types will happily cruise at well above the UK motorway limit without undue noise.

Ride comfort is excellent, although many owners fit wide, low-profile tyres which can cause the ride quality to become harsh. Such tyres can also increase the vehicles' tendency to aquaplane in the wet, although normally they give no cause for concern in this respect. Towing is not one of the SWB Vitara's stronger suits.

The low ground clearance of the Vitara improves its handling on the road at the expense of some off-road ability. Nevertheless, it is really quite able in the rough, with the short wheelbase, short overhangs and good axle articulation contributing to a much better performance than its appearance suggests. However, poor engine braking does limit the Vitara's ability to descend steep hills under safe control when off-road.

Reliability, weaknesses, spares

The Vitara is a well-built machine in the best Japanese tradition. The four-cylinder models have no known faults; the V6s are too new to be properly evaluated, although they are most unlikely to prove less reliable or well-made than the older types.

In 1991 the Vitara JLX SE's 1 .6-litre engine graduated from carburettor to fuel injection, bringing a useful 8% improvement in maximum power.
The JLX SE five-door estate, based on a 11in longer wheelbase, considerably expanded the Vitara's customer base following its introduction in 1991. However, it is advisable to check modified vehicles very thoroughly before buying. Wide wheels and tyres, for example, can in some cases lead to accelerated wear on suspension components. Similarly, some GRP body panels may develop cracks or crazing after a time.

Spares are available through the Suzuki dealer network, which also markets a wide range of accessories. There is a substantial aftermarket for the Vitara.

Resale values

Vitaras are in such demand that there is a seller's market. As a result, high prices are asked and paid, and resale values are firm. Examples with extra equipment - including aftermarket cosmetic add-ons - may command a hefty price premium over showroom-standard vehicles.
The prices of Soft Top models tend to be higher in the summer, while the prices of SWB Estates tend to be higher in the winter. LWB models are no subject to these seasonal fluctuations.