Review: Suzuki Vitara AllGrip

When Suzuki first introduced the Vitara not too long ago, many were intrigued with what the subcompact SUV had to offer, most especially in a rather crowded segment. Now, a number of years after its introduction, I’m sure I’m not the only one to notice the fair number of Vitaras on the road—a testament to the impact it left on us.

Following up on its initial strong showing, Suzuki is now upping the ante with its latest iteration of the Vitara—the Vitara AllGrip—that features four-wheel drive, a feature unavailable to its predecessors and to most of its competitors.

Exterior

With the majority of the changes and enhancements being done on the Vitara AllGrip’s drivetrain, you wouldn’t notice too many glaring alterations when it comes to its appearance. The finer, more subtle details are where you’ll notice Suzuki has made the most changes; and it’s in these smaller changes that give the Vitara AllGrip a sportier look, albeit slightly.

A new front skid plate with bumper garnish, new side chrome molding and chrome door garnish, as well as a new roof edge spoiler give the Vitara AllGrip a more rugged and gritty aura in line with its off-road capabilities.

Suzuki retained its LED headlamps, LED daytime running lights, fog lamps, rear combination lamps and 17-inch alloy wheels, which still give this vehicle its signature Vitara look.

There are two exterior finishes to choose from: monochrome or two-tone. The former costs P1,458,000 and consists of Galactic Grey Metallic or Cool White Pearl, while the latter is priced slightly higher at P1,468,000 and consists of color combinations of Solid Bright Red/Cosmic Black Pearl Metallic or Prime Solar Yellow/Cosmic Black Pearl Metallic.

Interior

Like the exterior, there aren’t many drastic changes with the Vitara AllGrip’s interior. Its dashboard is still clean, simple, neat and dominated by the massive 10-inch infotainment system. Some may think that having a tablet-sized screen might be too much, but for someone who is very dependent on Apple CarPlay (or Android Auto), using Waze and Spotify are made so much more convenient with a large, immersive screen. Of course, not to mention how much more helpful a big display is when backing up, parking or just maneuvering thanks to the scope of the rear camera. On a side note, Suzuki has also equipped a clinometer on its screen, adding to its newest features.

Suzuki has also retained its extremely large panoramic sunroof which, I believe, will be appreciated even more now that the Vitara can go on off-road adventures.

Overall cabin space is relatively good; there was a good amount of leg, head and wiggle room when at the wheel. There is also adequate space at the backseats, though three large adults may find it a tad bit cramped arounf the hips and shoulders, especially for the one occupying the middle seat.

The Vitara AllGrip actually has a surprisingly large amount of cargo space and can readily handle different types of load. From the outside, it might not appear as if the vehicle possesses a lot of trunk space, but is actually both wide and deep to appropriately accommodate luggage, outdoor equipment, golf bags or groceries, among others.

4WD

Now for what the new Vitara AllGrip is about: its 4-wheel-drive technology. With a knob located beside the shifter, you can easily shift thru four different drive modes, namely Auto, Sport, Lock, and Snow. In all seriousness, though, the Snow mode could actually be useful on slippery or muddy roads, especially now that it’s the rainy season.

The only hiccup I experienced is that when on Sport mode, engine noise tends to be quite loud when inside the vehicle. Although the sound of an engine revving may be music to the ears of some, I’d personally rather listen to just my music unadulterated.

Having such modes at your disposal is always of great convenience as you never truly know what you might find yourself in. Fortunately, the Vitara AllGrip has the versatility for such situations.Overall drive of the car is both pleasant and smooth as well, with the engine being fairly responsive and the brakes not jarring. I was pleasantly surprised that the Vitara AllGrip also has great maneuverability. 

Under the hood

Powering the Vitara AllGrip is a 1.6-liter engine that’s enhanced for higher torque and better fuel economy, resulting in outputs of 115hp and 156Nm. Paired with this is a 6-speed automatic transmission with paddle shifters.

This engine is the same as the 2WD version, which may be a bummer for some who might have expected otherwise. Fortunately, the Vitara AllGrip’s engine is capable enough for it to fulfill its purposes, so the addition of a newer/better engine might make its price tag less enticing.

Verdict

The Vitara was already a reliable and excellent all-around vehicle prior to the AllGrip rendition. Now, Suzuki has made it all the more versatile with the incorporation of 4WD, making it a true SUV capable of both city driving and off-roading. Its fairly high price hike versus previous iterations definitely raises questions for some, but its added capabilities are what make the biggest case.