Suzuki Vitara 2025: no hybrid, but with useful updates
It's already hard to count how many years the current generation of Suzuki Vitara has been with us - but this "people's crossover" does not even think about going on vacation! On the contrary: the car received another batch of updates, returned a non-hybrid turbo engine, significantly expanded the list of equipment. What else interesting can the Suzuki Vitara 2025 model year offer? Below you will find not only key questions about the new product, but also answers to these questions. So...
The Suzuki Vitara has been updated again? So how can it be distinguished from all the previous ones?
Let the starting point for this material be the previous review of the Suzuki Vitara Hybrid; and even then the hero of the review was the updated car. And now – another batch of changes. As is often the case during such interim updates, the car does not change large metal parts such as the hood, roof, wings, doors (so as not to replace the stamps); instead, they work with the bumper, radiator grille, headlights, and add body colors.
Here it is again: the updated Suzuki Vitara 2025 crossover is easily recognizable by the glossy black insert on the front bumper; the chrome "mustache" in front has also disappeared. But a large spoiler has been added at the back – it literally wraps around the glass of the trunk lid. Plus, two new body colors have appeared.
The appearance of the Suzuki Vitara crossover is well known, as it can often be seen on the streets of Ukrainian cities. Among the most noticeable changes are an inverted horseshoe insert in front and a large spoiler at the back. And the dimensions have remained almost unchanged, the difference with previous versions of the car is calculated literally in a few millimeters: length – 4.185 meters (+10 mm); width – 1.775 meters; height – 1.595 meters (-15 mm); wheelbase – 2.5 meters. Ground clearance is declared at 185 mm.
Okay, everything is clear here. What about the interior?
You shouldn't expect any radical changes in the cabin either, let alone "French-style revolutions"; instead, classic design reigns here. But this contributes to ergonomics: a fairly high landing guarantees a good view forward, the right hand immediately finds the high automatic transmission lever, the climate control unit is made of a separate element, and the seat heating buttons are installed below. True, the age and accessibility of the car are already felt. For example, a few years ago, an update was carried out, which gave the car a soft front panel coating; but the doors still have inexpensive hard plastic, which also noticeably "plays" when the window is raised all the way. Or here's another thing: no update can fix the rather vertical landing in the back and the lack of any compensation bonuses for passengers, no update can add dual-zone climate control; there is no wireless charging and heated steering wheel...
However, the update can give a new multimedia system! Even two: in the initial (GL) and medium (GL +) trim levels of the car, a Clarion multimedia system with a 7-inch touch screen display is now installed; and in the maximum trim level, a Pioneer multimedia system with a large 9-inch display. The test car was presented in the medium trim level, so I had the opportunity to get acquainted with the Clarion system - and, in short, it is great: a simple and understandable menu, a bright, contrasting image, good speed, the ability to control not only the audio and phone, but also the car settings; plus output of on-board computer data and connection of Android Auto and Apple CarPlay.
Similar to the exterior, the Suzuki Vitara interior is well-known: the shape of the front panel, the traditional arrangement of the steering wheel and instruments, the usual climate control unit, the seats, albeit without a complex profile, but with a high back. On the front-wheel drive version, a small shelf is also added to the voluminous niche between the "climate" unit and the heating buttons behind the automatic transmission lever (on all-wheel drive versions, there is a drive mode selector). The most attention is drawn to the new multimedia system, which fits perfectly into the philosophy of the car: everything is simple and clear, everything works flawlessly from the first moment. Behind the seats, on the verge of minimally sufficient (I will give the measurements of the interior below), the 362-liter trunk offers a 2-story floor, side niches for small items, hooks for bags, as well as plastic covering of the wheel arches – over time it may be scratched.
A few words about the measurements of the interior space, so that in the future it would be possible to compare this car with competitors. We usually start from the front of the cabin, namely from the driver's seat cushion, the length of which is 49 cm. The distance from the edge of the cushion to the accelerator pedal can vary within 45-65 cm depending on the seat position adjustment. The head/torso height reserve is a maximum of 102 cm (measurement from the seat cushion to the ceiling, measured along the backrest and headrest, the driver's seat is fully lowered, the backrest is set at an angle of 105-110 degrees).
In the back, we have a body/legroom of 64-86 cm (from the base of the second-row sofa to the back of the front seat, depending on the position of the front seat). The trunk and headroom is 93 cm (measured from the back sofa cushion to the ceiling, measured along the backrest and headrest). It is worth noting that the rear seat space of the Suzuki Vitara can be compared to some C-class SUVs; however, the proximity of the doors (all due to the narrow body) and a rather upright seating position, which requires keeping your back almost straight, let you down.
Finally, a few measurements of the trunk. So, the width of the trunk within the wheel arches is 102 cm, if you take into account the side niches, then the width reaches 143 cm. The depth of the trunk in the standard version is 78 cm (up to the back of the sofa); or the depth is 133 cm (with the second row seats folded, along the folded seat backs); or the maximum depth of the trunk is 163 cm (with the second row seats folded, up to the back of the first row seat).
A feature of the Suzuki Vitara interior layout is the rather high seating position, considerable overall body height, and upright seating. It turns out that the space reserves are not bad, but the seating position is like “on a chair,” and you can’t lean back as relaxedly as you would in an armchair.
Are there any technical changes? They abandoned the hybrid – is it worse or better?
The main technical change of the Suzuki Vitara 2025 model year is the return to the “new old” K 14 C engine instead of the K 14 D, which was installed on the hybrid version. It is still a 1.4-liter 4-cylinder gasoline engine, there is still a turbine and a direct fuel injection system. However, the K 14 C engine has a lower compression ratio (we have 9.9 versus 10.9 for the K 14 D engine), it wins in terms of power (we have 140 hp versus 129 hp for the K 14 D engine), but loses in terms of torque (we have 220 Nm versus 235 Nm for the K 14 D engine). And of course, there is no hybrid component here, such as the SHVS system with “mild hybrid” technology. This is a key technical change, but not the only one: from now on, the 2025 Suzuki Vitara model year will receive a 6-speed manual transmission instead of a 5-speed.
However, the test car is equipped with a 6-speed “automatic” (by the way, the traditional hydromechanical one from Aisin), which then transmits torque to the front wheels. An interesting feature, since previously I had to deal exclusively with all-wheel drive versions of the Suzuki Vitara. But a car with front-wheel drive is lighter by about 70-85 kg depending on the specific version, it is promised better dynamics (0-100 km/h in 9.5 seconds versus 10.2 seconds for the all-wheel drive version) and lower fuel consumption – so, in the combined cycle it should be only 6.3 liters per 100 km versus 6.7 liters per 100 km for the all-wheel drive version.
Whatever the engine code, each new encounter with it gives positive impressions. The engine picks up well from 1.5 thousand revolutions and can easily and quickly gain 4-5 thousand revolutions without any traction failures - it is very “lively” in its nature. Together with the lightness of the car and the “automatic” with fairly timely switching, all this ensures the convenience of driving the car in the city. But on the highway… The engine power is still enough for high-speed driving and overtaking, but at highway speeds the sailing of a rather high body with flat side surfaces becomes noticeable.
In tight turns, the combination of the car's height and small wheel track also works - that's where the rolls become noticeable. You can only fight them by excessively clamping the suspension, but in the case of the Suzuki Vitara, the designers did not go to extremes, but chose a universal "golden mean": the suspension offers a certain comfort of movement, it is not afraid of large holes and tries to round them off, only sometimes allowing unpleasant bounces of the rear of the body. The steering wheel is also more tuned for normal movement - it is light and not very sharp (from lock to lock about three turns). But in combination with the car's quick reactions and responses to steering wheel turns, all this creates the impression of ease of control. Because that's how it really is! The Suzuki Vitara crossover does not try to surprise with its sporty handling or softness on bumps - but with its neutral and pleasant character you very quickly find understanding.
I call this engine “new old” because I first encountered the 1.4-liter turbo engine BOOSTERJET K 14 C under the hood of the Suzuki Vitara S; then it went through a model update; then a hybrid was made on its basis (BOOSTERJET K 14 D SHVS); and now – we have returned to the original version of K 14 C. And it is wonderful: smooth traction, good acceleration (the benchmark “hundred” in 8.7-8.9 seconds), complete understanding with the “automatic”, which guarantees fast and imperceptible gear changes. And fuel consumption is low: in the city on average 7.5 liters per 100 km of travel, the maximum was 8+ liters per 100 km, the minimums were managed to be obtained at the level of 6.3-6.5 liters per 100 km. On the highway at a speed of 100 km/h, fuel consumption was 4.3-4.5 liters per 100 km. By the way: when driving at this speed, the car is already in sixth gear, and the tachometer shows about 1800 rpm.
So how much does the 2025 Suzuki Vitara cost?
If we consider just such a car – a non-hybrid engine, an updated version of the 2025 model year – the Suzuki Vitara crossover is offered in three trim levels, with “mechanics” or “automatic” (in both cases, these are 6-speed gearboxes), as well as with front-wheel drive or all-wheel drive: that is, we have six car options in total.
The model range is opened by the Suzuki Vitara GL, which offers the following: ABS and ESP systems, front and side airbags, inflatable side curtain airbags, keyless entry and engine start, air conditioning, a multimedia system with a 7-inch touch screen display, a rearview camera, heated front seats, alloy wheels, etc. Special price for the Suzuki Vitara GL 1.4 2 WD 6 MT – from 900 thousand UAH or $21.8 thousand; special price for the Suzuki Vitara GL 1.4 2 WD 6А T – from 972 thousand UAH or $23.5 thousand.
The GL + trim level is higher with an expanded list of equipment: tinted rear side windows, cruise control and speed limiter, leather steering wheel trim, climate control, rear power windows, central armrest. Special price Suzuki Vitara GL + 1.4 2 WD 6А T – from 1.022 million UAH or $24.7 thousand; special price Suzuki Vitara GL + 1.4 4 WD 6М T – from 1.022 million UAH or $24.7 thousand (this is not a mistake); standard price Suzuki Vitara GL + 1.4 4 WD 6А T – from 1.157 million UAH or $28 thousand.
The maximum option is the GLX trim level, which is additionally distinguished by the following: front and rear parking sensors, roof rails, interior trim made of artificial leather and suede, FULL LED headlights, a multimedia system with an enlarged 9-inch display, polished wheel rims, etc. The standard price of the Suzuki Vitara GL X 1.4 4 WD 6A T is from UAH 1.28 million or $31 thousand.
The starting configuration has gained the most: alloy wheels, keyless entry, a new multimedia system. However, if you want to get “climate” and a rearview camera, a “leather” steering wheel and cruise control, then you need to take the middle configuration; probably, for most buyers, the GL + version will be optimal. In addition, various combinations of gearboxes and drive types are available in this version. It’s a pity, but without a hybrid, there are also some systems: lane control, monitoring of “blind spots” of mirrors, adaptive cruise control, start-stop, automatic emergency braking system – now you won’t find this in any of the car’s configurations. Given that the price tag of about $30 thousand for a crossover of the Suzuki Vitara format is, frankly, already very, very much.
Well, the main question is: should I buy it or not?
If you choose a car based on the number of colors of the interior backlight, the presence of wireless charging and a projection display, a full-fledged HEV hybrid (let's be realistic), a package of safety systems – then you have already passed by a Suzuki dealership and, probably, you will pass by it again. But if you want to get all-wheel drive in a compact body, an excellent turbo engine and a classic "automatic", albeit not very large, but comfortable interior – then all this could always be found in the Suzuki Vitara for relatively moderate money.
Here it is now: the car has not given up its key advantages, and has also added modern multimedia systems and an expanded list of equipment for the initial and medium trim levels. Will this be enough to remain at the top of the B – SUV popularity rating for at least a few more years? Only time will tell; but I won't hesitate if this answer turns out to be positive.