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Further to the views re. Vitara offered here .... - KB.

I did take notice of what Avant, and others, have said about the 1.4 Boosterjet Vitara in the (current) SX4 topic.

If the Vitara 1.4 met most of your criteria ... but was chosen with an auto. box (it's a torque converter) the only auto.1.4 option would be a little over £22k at a broker. That's around £1800 off. That's an SX5 which is pretty much top of the range spec. (They do the one litre auto. in the SZT which is around £18,500 at a broker.)

If you compared it to a KIa Niro Hybrid DCT automatic (as they all are) it would be £21,400 in the "2" spec. at a broker.

Both sensible and similarly sized. One has 3 yr warranty, one has 7 yr warranty. One will be more economical fuel wise.

Something to think about? £22k for the Suzuki vs £21.500 for the Kia. My figures might be a few quid out but you get the gist of what I'm saying.

Further to the views re. Vitara offered here .... - NARU

I have a Kia Sorento. The dealer gave me a Niro courtesy car when I had it serviced. I liked the look of the car, but was less impressed with the driving experience.

I'd want to drive the Suzuki before favouring one over the other.

Further to the views re. Vitara offered here .... - KB.

Thanks. But not much detail regarding what you didn't like about it.

Further to the views re. Vitara offered here .... - Ethan Edwards

Never driven the Kia but I have driven the Hyundai Tucson for a week and cat among pigeons time I thought it inferior to my Vitara S in pretty much every way. Thirsty, heavy dull to drive and lacking in the power dept. Nice colour though.

Further to the views re. Vitara offered here .... - skidpan

Thirsty, heavy dull to drive and lacking in the power dept.

Bit more info would help the people above. They make a gutless 1.6 non turbo petrol, a 1.7 turbo diesel and a 2 litre diesel with 4WD.

Which actual one did you drive?

Further to the views re. Vitara offered here .... - badbusdriver

No direct experience with either, but i do remember reading the Autocar magazine roadtest of the Nero not too long ago regarding another post on the forum. Interestingly they found it accelerated to 60mph nearly 2 seconds quicker than the time stated by Kia (9.7 seconds, in damp conditions, vs 11.5seconds) and they also praised the fact that it could be held in a specific gear during mid range acceleration (for example it could be held in 4th from 30-70mph), something that (they said) you can't do with most hybrids.

www.autocar.co.uk/car-review/kia/niro

From what i have read about both, i'd say the Vitara would be more fun to drive, though possibly a little less refined. Of course that 7 year warranty is tempting, especially if you plan to keep it beyond the standard 3 years of most manufacturers.

Edited by badbusdriver on 17/12/2018 at 18:26

Further to the views re. Vitara offered here .... - KB.

Valid points. Ta.

TheYeti's DSG is still working nicely (despite the predictions of the majority) but I realise the car is gonna have to go at some point - it's a matter of trying to second guess the best time to chop it in. Biggest problem being we very much like the thing and aren't that keen to see it go.

Further to the views re. Vitara offered here .... - KB.

But you've not said why .... how can I read your mind?

Further to the views re. Vitara offered here .... - Avant

I shouldn't think it was a priority. It's aimed - I believe successfully - at people who need what it provides and value functionality, and reliability, over style.

The sort of people who are the other way round can probably afford a Range Rover Evoque.

Further to the views re. Vitara offered here .... - KB.

Trilogy's view. received, ta.

Given that I drive a Yeti and a 2011 Hyundai i10 it won't come as a surprise that cutting edge style isn't top of my list of priorities. Quite the opposite, I prefer the stuff that others shun. I would drive a Berlingo or Fiat Qubo or a Jimny if they fitted the bill. If styling is the main/only reason for Trilogy's absence of fondness then I'll keep the Vitara on the list of possibilities - especially as they have a slightly revised model due next year with the 1.4 Booster jet engine in a model other than the "Sport" ( I wasn't all that keen on the coloured trimmings on the latter).

Further to the views re. Vitara offered here .... - badbusdriver

I think it is a little unfair to suggest the Vitara is aimed at folk who look for functionality and reliablity over style, if, for no other reason than the existence of the SX4 S-Cross. Which is essentially a Vitara with a bigger boot and less 'attitude' (at least before they grafted that huge grill on during the facelift). Looks is obviously a very personal thing, but judging by the amount i see on the road, Trilogy's opinion is in the minority. I do like it myself though it is maybe a little fussy, lacking the clean and handsome lines of the Grand Vitara (2005-2014). I certainly prefer it in a single colour though, the contrasting roof does not work in my eyes due to the split not following the line of the rear side window.

As for the Yeti, in its original pre-facelifted form, it is definately one of the best looking SUV's of recent memory. It has a distinctive and characterful look which is so much interesting to look at than the current, utterly anonymous Karoq along with its big brother the Kodiak.

We used to have the sister car to the Berlingo, the Partner Multispace (which we loved) so i'm right with you there. And, i'd be very happy with a Qubo not to mention delighted with a Jimny!.

Further to the views re. Vitara offered here .... - Avant

"I think it is a little unfair to suggest the Vitara is aimed at folk who look for functionality and reliablity over style...."

I was actually paying it a compliment! Most sensible people in the market for an SUV will look for exactly that.

Further to the views re. Vitara offered here .... - KB.

In all honesty I've never looked at a current Vitara (or the previous Grand Vitara) and thought it to be unattactive.... after all, the earlier Range Rover is a squarish block of a thing and no-one says they're ugly (do they? - perhaps they do?) - in Essex it would be considered rude NOT to drive one... ideally a black one with blacked out windows.

I would say I can't stand the front of the current SX Cross and really can't abide the grille ... I think it alone would stop me buying one, which is a shame as they're cheaper than the Vitara.

Edited by KB. on 19/12/2018 at 00:01

Further to the views re. Vitara offered here .... - 72 dudes

Far rather have a have Duster/Jimny/Niro/Berlingo than a Vitara. I

Apples and oranges surely?

The Niro is streets ahead of the functional Duster, the practical Berlingo and the jokey Jimny.

Working p/t hours in a petrol station, I see a lot of new cars coming in for the obligatory £10 of fuel before they are registered. The other day a new Jimny came in.

My colleague, a non-'car person', was laughing at the awfulness of it. The driver came in and described it as 'horrible'. His own car is a new shape Vitara.

Further to the views re. Vitara offered here .... - SteveLee

Hybrids nearly always accelerate much quicker than the manufacturers figures which are usually a worse case scenario unassisted ICE-only time (ie flat traction battery.)

Further to the views re. Vitara offered here .... - Ethan Edwards

1.6 auto.....two k miles on it.

Further to the views re. Vitara offered here .... - movilogo
It is possible to extend Suzuki warranty after 3 years by paying extra (to Suzuki). It is effectively an insurance policy but works like normal warranty.
Further to the views re. Vitara offered here .... - KB.

I will havesaid it before (everything I say has been said before ) but my local dealer extends the warranty year on year (at no cost) provided they service it annually. It's on their website but not written up in HUGE banner style advertising so maybe ask your local folk, maybe they do something similar?