The Grand Revival Of The Suzuki Vitara

I REMEMBER seeing a Grand Vitara driving through a freeway a while back, its metallic brown paint job gleaming as the sun hit it. The strong accents and brawny stance are stuff of any adventurer’s daydream.

- John Sosmena

I admired it from a distance. The Grand Vitara is just one of those cars you wanted to have when you know you’re made. Fast forward to November 2017 and we get an invitation from Suzuki Philippines to the launch of a new subcompact SUV. There was one word glaringly missing from the invitation: “grand.” Instead, the Japanese car maker was launching a new-generation Vitara targeted at a younger audience.

Speed was fortunate enough to take the 2018 Suzuki Vitara for a spin from Metro Manila to Poro Point, La Union, and had every inch of the new B-segment tested and experienced—from its engine power and driving dynamics to its comfort and convenience features.

New looks, same luster

The former Grand Vitara was built as a tough, no-nonsense vehicle. It had a brawny, aggressive stance about it that was complemented by a timeless-looking body— a strong, standout SUV. The new Vitara, on the other hand, dropped some weight and moved to the B-segment market to compete with the likes of the Ford Ecosport, Nissan Juke, Chevrolet Trax, and Nissan X-Trail. But it wasn’t a downsize at all because even though the weight cut was felt, the rugged, outdoor feel of the drive certainly did not diminish. In fact, it was even boosted by the Vitara’s new look.