The Vitara and S-Cross come with more technology and equipment for the same price

Suzuki has just updated its best-selling model in Spain: the Suzuki Vitara. And he has also done the same with the Suzuki S-Crossits older brother with which it shares mechanics and many ingredients: these two SUVs improve in technological and safety equipment.

Of We have driven These all-terrain vehicles, which are exclusively hybrids and therefore ECO label. Despite their hybrid mechanics, both models do not exceed 30,000 euros with the offer applied and their price barely varies with this update. What’s more, the Suzuki Vitara starts at less than 25,000 euros.

Spotting the differences in the two updated SUVs

While this update is more focused on equipment, in the Suzuki Vitara The aesthetics have been slightly adjusted: the grille and headlights have been redesigned, now being Full LED. Also the rear spoiler, in addition to adding new alloy wheels. For its part, for the Suzuki S-Cross There are no aesthetic changes whatsoever, limited to new equipment.

The habitability in both SUVs is identical, since the measurements do not vary.The Vitara’s wheelbase remains at 2.5 m, while the S-Cross is 10 cm longer.

This is noticeable in the rear seats, with a bit more space in the second. But in general they are quite even. These seats are comfortable, although the backrest is somewhat straight and inclined. In both, two occupants are better than three, as is usually the case in compact and urban SUVs.

Where they differ greatly is in the boot, with the S-Cross having more space at 430 litres compared to the Vitara’s 362 litres. This makes it more suitable for families or long journeys. In return, the Vitara is more manageable in the city.

A bigger screen, more assistance systems and better connectivity. The new Suzuki Vitara improves in perceived quality thanks to the new, larger multimedia display: it is now nine inchesinstead of seven inches.

Although the updated Vitara It does not give up physical buttons: the air conditioning is controlled by dials and buttons, as are most ADAS systems. It does not join the trend of digital instrumentation either: the dials are analogue, flanking a small configurable screen that can display assistance systems, the speed limit of the road, consumption, etc.

The same goes for the S-Crosswhich also has a nine-inch screen, although in this case it is raised above the dashboard. The multimedia system is identical in both SUVs, with wireless connectivity for Apple CarPlay and Android Auto and integrated browser.

What does change is that The Vitara now integrates the Suzuki Connect mobile app. The S-Cross already did this. It allows you to open or close the doors remotely, check if you have left the lights on, locate the car, as well as give maintenance, breakdown or activity notifications (if it has been started, left a certain area or the alarm has been activated). It requires a subscription to Suzuki Connect, but the first three years free.

The other big change in the new Suzuki Vitara and S-Cross are the assistance systems. It adds two new ones, the lane keeping system and fatigue detector via a camera in the passenger compartment.

Added to the already complete package are: automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, adaptive headlights, blind spot detection, rear traffic alert, speed sign reader and lane departure warning, among others. Of all of them, we only checked the operation of the last one, which is not at all intrusive, which is appreciated. It also has the already obligatory intelligent speed warning (ISA).

Hybrids only. There are two mechanics available in the Suzuki Vitara and S-Cross, identical in both SUVs and which do not change either. The entry-level one is mild-hybrid combining a turbocharged gasoline engine 1.4 liters, 129 hp and 235 Nm of torque with an electric system MGU (Motor Generator Unit) de 48 VIn certain situations, it provides an extra 14 hp to the combustion engine, although it mainly powers its electrical systems.

In the so-called Strong Hybrid a 102 hp naturally aspirated gasoline engine and a 33 hp (25 kW) electric engine join forces to sign the 116 CV total. Although they also have the MGU. In any case, they are less powerful and more expensive, so Suzuki only offers them on request in both SUVs.

Los Vitara and S-Cross mild hybrid are always manual transmission six-speed automatic transmission, while the Strong Hybrids are managed by an automatic transmission. In both cases it can be selected with front-wheel drive O well All Grip all-wheel drivesomething that doesn’t change either.

Driving the new Suzuki Vitara and S-Cross

As we sit behind the wheel of the Suzuki Vitara We find an upright but comfortable seat. The interior is simple, omitting some elements such as the electric parking brake (it is operated by lever) and combining rubber surfaces with other harder ones.

In it Suzuki S-Cross The seats are more comfortable and have a more natural position and the perceived quality is somewhat better, but there are no major differences between one and the other.

In any case, in both we have everything at hand and most of it can be controlled from physical controls: air conditioning, ADAS, hill descent control… Also the seat heating system which is standard from the second S2 finish. In both cases we have driven the front-wheel drive mild-hybrids, in S3 finish.

The two SUVs have Three driving modes: Auto and Sportin addition to the specific Snow It is more designed for off-road use or for situations of heavy rain, snow or ice. They are selected with a wheel on the central tunnel, although in the Vitara it is somewhat uncomfortable to operate as it is somewhat low and behind the gear lever. It also has hill descent control.

The route we took was all on conventional roads, passing through some crossings and also through sections of curves. Both SUVs perform well in this terrain, without excessive boasting, since they do not differ much in size and weight. The suspensions are quite balanced and the steering is soft and direct. The cabin is well soundproofed.

In general, manual shifting is fast and responds well to acceleration for overtaking. Versatile SUVs that are not too big for the city and comfortable enough for long journeys. The combined fuel consumption of the Vitara mild hybrid is 5.3 l/100 km or 5.4 l/100 km with all-wheel drive. In the S-Cross it ranges between 5.4 l/100 km and 5.6 l/100 km respectively.

More technology and assistance always as standard

Los New Suzuki Vitara and S-Cross They are offered in three finishes, identical in both. The base is the S1, more focused on fleets although available for individuals. The intermediate is the S2 and the most complete is the S3.

In general the equipment is quite similar in all: from the S1 already has LED headlights or the nine inch multimedia screenas well as automatic climate control (not dual-zone), electrically adjustable mirrors, rear parking sensors, rear view camera and automatic lights and wipers.

Also Most assistance systems are standard In this version: the obligatory ones such as automatic emergency braking, intelligent speed assistant, the new fatigue alert and lane keeping system, or the high beam assistant (long/short).

However, in the finish S2 We now find the complete assistance package, adding the blind spot detector and the rear cross traffic warning. In addition, the windows are electric in all rows in this version (in the S1 the rear ones are manual) and adds the heated front seatsair conditioning vents in the rear seats, the 12V socket and the electrochromic interior rearview mirror.

Finally the S3 It adds fabric and leather door trim and chrome trim, power-folding rearview mirrors and 17-inch polished wheels. With these ingredients, the trim that I find most interesting in terms of price-quality is the S2, as it barely varies from the S3.

All prices for the new Suzuki Vitara and S-Cross: from 24,500 euros

He Suzuki Vitara It barely increases in price in this update compared to the outgoing model, which started at 24,000 euros with promotions: now it does so at 24.500 euros equipping improved technology and fine-tuning its design. The S-Cross It has the same price as the previous one, starting from 26.795 euros.

Suzuki tells us that the discount campaign on the S-Cross will continue until September (around 3,000 euros in all versions), while that of the Vitara will not vary (discounts of between 2,600 and 2,700 euros). In addition, we remind you that, Strong Hybrid versions on both models can only be purchased on request.

Suzuki It is one of the brands that offers more years of warranty of those required by law: five years or 150,000 kmwhichever comes first. It is the same as that applied by Hyundai or Mitsubishi, for example. It can be extended to 10 years. Although Dacia, for example, already offers up to seven years, as does Kia.

The big draw of these two SUVs is that They are among the cheapest compared to other mild-hybrid SUVs.. Only the new Dacia Duster microhybrid, with 131 hp, which starts at 24,390 euros, also with discounts, can beat them. It is identical in size to the S-Cross and has a larger multimedia screen, although it offers less assistance and comfort technology.

But the Vitara is 3,000 euros cheaper than the Peugeot 2008 mild-hybrid (27,440 euros) or the Opel Mokka micro-hybrid (27,250 euros). It also costs 6,000 euros more than the Nissan Juke, although this is a hybrid. Compared to the Vitara Strong Hybrid, the Suzuki is still more than 2,000 euros cheaper.