Skip advert
Advertisement

Suzuki Vitara S 1.4 turbo petrol review

A turbocharged 1.4-litre engine addresses many of the complaints we had about the Suzuki Vitara compact SUV

Overall Auto Express rating

4.0

How we review cars
Find your Suzuki Vitara
Compare deals from trusted partners on this car and previous models.
Or are you looking to sell your car?
Value my car
Fast, no-nonsense car selling
Value my car

The new 1.4-litre turbo really does address one of the biggest criticisms of the Vitara. It now has that turn of pace to keep pace with traffic and as an added bonus it uses less fuel too. It’s a shame the engine is restricted to the range-topping S model, but then again, you do get a very likeable and reasonably roomy little car with plenty of kit.

Advertisement - Article continues below

The Suzuki Vitara is a very easy car to like. It’s handsome, built to last and represents rather good value for money. If there had been one criticism though, it was a lack of variety, with only a mediocre petrol and a gruff diesel engine to choose from. Now, however, there’s the Vitara S powered by an all-new 138bhp 1.4-litre turbocharged petrol engine and we’ve driven it for the first time. 

The 1.4 turbo may be the smallest engine available in the Vitara – both the diesel and alternative petrol engine are 1.6-litre units – but it’s the most powerful and provides that injection of performance which has been missing. 

Best SUVs to buy now

It comes paired with Suzuki’s ALLGRIP all-wheel drive as standard and a six-speed manual gearbox, but will still return over 52mpg with CO2 emissions of 127g/km – trumping the naturally aspirated 1.6.   

Whereas the 1.6 petrol engine needs revs to access its power, the downsized 1.4 turbo picks up far quicker lower down in the rev range, meaning more accessible performance. That extra yard of pace is immediately noticeable, especially when you’re accelerating out of slower corners and tackling inclines.

Skip advert
Advertisement
Skip advert
Advertisement - Article continues below

Used - available now

Vitara

2019 Suzuki

Vitara

17,307 milesAutomaticPetrol1.4L

Cash £17,532
View Vitara
Vitara

2020 Suzuki

Vitara

21,067 milesManualPetrol1.4L

Cash £12,549
View Vitara
Vitara

2020 Suzuki

Vitara

23,240 milesManualPetrol1.4L

Cash £11,995
View Vitara
Vitara

2016 Suzuki

Vitara

39,955 milesManualPetrol1.6L

Cash £9,400
View Vitara

It also gives the Vitara far greater overtaking ability, with more in-gear shove thanks to the additional 64Nm of torque taking the total to 220Nm. In the 1.6 petrol you really have to time your manoeuvres, pick the right gear and be wary of distances as the engine just doesn’t respond as quickly as you think it will. 

So some key issues have been resolved in the turbocharged Vitara S and, as a result, the car is much more relaxing to drive. Ease off on the motorway and the engine is hushed, while the ride is just as compliant as it was before shrugging off the worst of road imperfections. 

The 1.4 turbo is only available in the well-equipped Vitara S and Suzuki has no plans to make it an option in lower spec models, which is a shame because it’s definitely the engine of choice in the range. It means you’ll have to fork out around £21,000 to get your hands on it, although official pricing has yet to be confirmed.  

While that may sound pricey there is plenty of kit as standard. You get sat-nav, Bluetooth, a reversing camera, adaptive cruise control, air conditioning, a DAB radio and LED headlamps. From the outside you’ll be able to tell it apart from lesser Vitaras by the 17-inch black alloy wheels, unique front grille and wheel arch extensions. 

Skip advert
Advertisement

New & used car deals

Suzuki Vitara

Suzuki Vitara

RRP £16,274Used from £8,000
Nissan Juke

Nissan Juke

RRP £19,785Avg. savings £4,614 off RRP*Used from £8,595
Toyota Yaris Cross

Toyota Yaris Cross

RRP £26,495Avg. savings £1,672 off RRP*Used from £15,800
Skoda Kodiaq

Skoda Kodiaq

RRP £38,140Avg. savings £3,019 off RRP*Used from £11,895
* Average savings are calculated daily based on the best dealer prices on Auto Express vs manufacturer RRP
Skip advert
Advertisement

Most Popular

Car Deal of the Day: 717bhp BMW M5 Touring super-estate on a tasty lease deal
BMW M5 Touring - front action

Car Deal of the Day: 717bhp BMW M5 Touring super-estate on a tasty lease deal

The BMW M5 Touring is M car royalty, with a thoroughly impressive PHEV powertrain. It’s our Deal of the Day for 29 June
News
29 Jun 2025
Electric car appeal is at its lowest since 2019
Opinion - Kia EV9 GT

Electric car appeal is at its lowest since 2019

From poor electric car sales to crashes in F1, Mike Rutherford thinks its been a crazy few weeks in the automotive world
Opinion
29 Jun 2025
Range Rover Sport SV gets massive £35k price drop as it enters series-production
Range Rover Sport SV Black - front

Range Rover Sport SV gets massive £35k price drop as it enters series-production

There’s also a new SV Black trim, and a Range Rover Sport Stealth Package for non SVs
News
1 Jul 2025