Suzuki Vitara. Onto the highway across the wilderness
Suzuki Vitara is a compact SUV from the Japanese Suzuki, it appeared in 1988. There are 4 generations of Vitara. Restlyled in 2018, the fourth generation faced the Israeli market (as of 2020).
Modern Vitara is often considered a 5-door crossover. But it used to be a fully-fledged 4WD SUV, and a convertible. It’s a compact SUV with original eye-catching design that predetermined the development of a whole class of cars. For a quarter of century, Vitara Vitara has met every strict requirement for the modern cars. New generation has literally opened the new chapter of the SUV history.
First generation
The first-generation Vitara appeared in 1988 and was produced until 1998. First it was produced in a 3-door and convertible versions. In the Japanese market, the car was called ‘Escudo’, and in the North America, it was sold since 1990 as ‘Sidekick’ in a 5-door bodywork.
Suzuki created a brand new kind of 4WD cars as it differed a lot from the bulky ‘all-terrain vehicles’ of its time. The first-generation Vitara was already completely different from the ‘square’ SUVs. Its body had rounded flowing contours and a sloping windshield. This made the appearance of the car elegant and attractive. At the same time, the first-generation Suzuki Vitara had the endurance of a real SUV. The robust heavy-duty frame with a simple improved suspension provided excellent comfort on bad roads. A short wheelbase increased maneuverability. Weighing less than 1,000 pounds, the first Vitara became the lightest SUV of its time. Its 3-door body gave rise to a new design trend in SUV design. About 1,100,000 first-generation cars were sold in 9.5 years.
Second generation
The second-generation Suzuki Vitara appeared in 1997 and was produced until 2006. It was offered in three bodies: a 3-door, a 5-door, and a convertible. But because of the large differences in length between the 3-door and 5-door versions, one remained the Vitara mini SUV, while the other received the prefix Grand. Later the car with increased wheelbase became a separate model called Suzuki Grand Vitara (or Grand Escudo). But even a small 3-door SUV of the second generation Suzuki Vitara became bigger than its predecessor. It received a new engine and some technical innovatoins.
Grand Vitara received a roomy interior and impvoved design. At the same time, it lost some of its off-road performance. It was redesigned for the alphalt roads. The rear suspension was changed: the rear axle was now held by a robust system of 5 levers. Transfer to the pinion-and-rack steering improved the drivers ‘feeling of the car’.
Third generation
Afterward, Suzuki continued to produce Grand Vitara, but stopped Vitara production. That’s way the third generation is only represented by Grand Vitara (it was called XL-7 in the USA). The third-generation Grand Vitara entered the market in 2005 and was produced until 2016. It was a longer 7-seat version with a V-shaped 6-cylinder gasoline engine of 2700 cm3.
For years, Vitara has met every requirement for the modern cars. New generation has literally opened the new chapter of the SUV history.
The bodywork design became somewhat brutal. Wider outlines, bigger wheels, and protruding fenders of this Grand Vitara were designed to symbolize power and robustness. The improved overall length and a wider wheelbase made the car look ‘more European’. The modernized interior also symbolized the sportiness of the new Grand Vitara.
The third generation of the Grand Vitara was redesigned ‘for the asphalt’ again. The frame was integrated into the body, and its main components were made of heavy-duty steel. This gave more lightness and excellent tensile and torsional strength. Grand Vitara differed by a high-level safety and environmental friendliness. Besides, the algorithm for controlling the 4WD was changed. Now the modes were selected with a knob instead of a lever. The third-generation SUV was produced until 2016, but it is still available in some markets.
Fourth generation
The fourth-generation Vitara is produced since 2014 until now. It was restyled in 2018 году. In its fourth generation, Suzuki Vitara was literally reborn. Now, it’s a FWD 5-door crossover. There are 4WD modifications as well. The fourth-generation Vitara is built on the shortened SX-4 platform. So it has a smalledr size, than Grand Vitara, чthe previous generation. This way, Vitara has travelled to the compact class. The new Vitara has a modern design as well as high-level comfort and safety.
Restyled in 2018, Vitara has celebrated its 40th annisversary. The restyled fourth-generation Vitara 2018/2019 received a new front bumper, new 4,2’ display, and a branded Suzuki Safety System, also available for Jimny and Swift. This way, Suzuki Vitara has started the era of comfortable urban crossovers.
