Suzuki Vitara 2015 on - Looking to buy a Vitara Or SX4 S Cross

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Mon 9 Nov 2020 22:41
Suzuki Vitara 2015 on - Looking to buy a Vitara Or SX4 S Cross - DieselMan1966

Hi Im looking for some advice as I will shortly be in the market for a 2015 or later Vitara auto. I am lead to believe the early auto units are the twin clutch breed, I would like to know if these are reliable and do not have the cultch trouble of some other makes. I was considering a ford Kuga until I searched for info on this site and thought otherwise

As I currently average around 15,000 miles per annum prior to lock down and it looks as if I'll be doing around 8,000, the diesel option would be out.

Any help or suggestions will be appreciated

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Tue 10 Nov 2020 08:11
Suzuki Vitara 2015 on - Looking to buy a Vitara Or SX4 S Cross - badbusdriver

Pretty sure only the diesel has an automated manual.

With the Vitara, other than the diesel, I'm pretty sure it is torque converter all the way, but the SX4 S Cross was available with a CVT. As far as I can tell, this was only the 1.6 n/a petrol, so the 1.0 and 1.4 Boosterjet models are torque converter.

The cars themselves are very similar with regards to the category they sit into (small SUV/crossover) but quite different otherwise. The boxy Vitara has a more rugged shape than the SX4 which has a smoother profile. Possibly because of this, the SX4 seems to be a little cheaper with more bargains to be had (esp pre reg 1.0 Boosterjet models). Also, the SX4 has a usefully bigger boot with 430 litres vs the Vitara's 375 litres. Not a huge difference though, so it really boils down to either personal preference or what is available in your area.

One other thing though, Suzuki's on the whole, are very light for their size. One of the areas weight is saved is through cutting down sound deadening material (which is surprisingly heavy), so just be aware that they are probably going to be noisier than you may expect.

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Tue 10 Nov 2020 08:39
Suzuki Vitara 2015 on - Looking to buy a Vitara Or SX4 S Cross - daveyjp

Couple of colleagues have one of each. Vitara is about 4 years old 1.6 manual. No issues to date. SX4 is a diesel, 64 reg, it had a problem a few weeks ago, but nothing more than a new battery required,

I agree with previous thread, they are reliable and well equipped, but the price reflects the materials used and when you close the doors there is no weight to them, demonstrating where costs are saved,

Accept that and they are a good choice.

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Tue 10 Nov 2020 14:18
Suzuki Vitara 2015 on - Looking to buy a Vitara Or SX4 S Cross - moward

Hi Dieselman. We currently have a 2014 S-Cross in the household, it’s my wife’s runaround. Ours is the 1.6 M16A petrol, a slightly detuned version of that found in the same era Swift Sport.

As others have mentioned above, quietness and refinement are not the strongest points and the ride is firm on 17” wheels. I have mitigated this somewhat with a set of Goodyear Vector 4 Seasons all season tyres which have quietened things down somewhat and improved ride quality too. Seems to be sensitive to tyre type so other folks experiences may differ.

Economy is good with over 40mpg achievable during regular driving and over 50 on a longer run. Internal space and boot is good and well able to cope with de rigueur of everyday life with young children.

Higher level trims are well equipped, our SZ-T comes with a built in Garmin satnav, dual zone climate control, cruise and speed limiter functions, Bluetooth handsfree and lots more besides.

What I like in particular is how utterly unpretentious it is. It’s also a good bit quicker than what the official figures would suggest. I’ve caught a few Mr 2.0 TDI drivers unaware at how quickly I can hustle it down the road :-)

One final note is that it has been completely and utterly reliable in the 4 years that we’ve owned it. Had never put a foot wrong. If you have any questions in particular, please don’t hesitate to ask below. Regards, M.

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Tue 10 Nov 2020 15:54
Suzuki Vitara 2015 on - Looking to buy a Vitara Or SX4 S Cross - Ethan Edwards

I have a 1.4t Allgrip Auto Vitara S. 3 yrs old now and I love it. Do test drive . The one litre is pretty decent but I preferred the 1.4 you may find the one litre suits you. They are reliable comfy and well equipped. Only downside is they'll need servicing every 9k. That said I'd buy another one any day.

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Tue 10 Nov 2020 15:54
Suzuki Vitara 2015 on - Looking to buy a Vitara Or SX4 S Cross - badbusdriver

What I like in particular is how utterly unpretentious it is. It’s also a good bit quicker than what the official figures would suggest. I’ve caught a few Mr 2.0 TDI drivers unaware at how quickly I can hustle it down the road :-)

The benefit of the lack of weight I mentioned. Your 1.6 petrol version has 118bhp, which isn't a huge amount in the grand scheme of things, but it only weighs 1085kg. This is about the same as a Fiesta of the same age, despite the SX4 having about the same footprint as a Focus.

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Tue 10 Nov 2020 16:44
Suzuki Vitara 2015 on - Looking to buy a Vitara Or SX4 S Cross - moward

Indeed, Colin Chapman would be proud :-). It's something that the automotive industry really ought to learn from the aerospace industry, where weight of the aircraft is absolutely crucial to its performance. Less weight means more of everything else, greater payload, lower fuel burn, greater range and so on.

And so it is with cars, where MPG is ultimately a function of mass. Less mass, less energy to get it moving, less fuel burnt. Everything else is just tinkering (apart from aero, that bits quite important too)

Sorry if I’ve digressed a bit, design of lightweight aero structures is my bread and butter. The increasing bloat of modern cars as they evolve from one generation to the next is therefore a bit of a pet peeve.

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Tue 10 Nov 2020 16:59
Suzuki Vitara 2015 on - Looking to buy a Vitara Or SX4 S Cross - badbusdriver

Indeed, Colin Chapman would be proud :-). It's something that the automotive industry really ought to learn from the aerospace industry, where weight of the aircraft is absolutely crucial to its performance. Less weight means more of everything else, greater payload, lower fuel burn, greater range and so on.

And so it is with cars, where MPG is ultimately a function of mass. Less mass, less energy to get it moving, less fuel burnt. Everything else is just tinkering (apart from aero, that bits quite important too)

Sorry if I’ve digressed a bit, design of lightweight aero structures is my bread and butter. The increasing bloat of modern cars as they evolve from one generation to the next is therefore a bit of a pet peeve.

Yes, the size and weight of modern cars is a pet hate of mine too.

Our Suzuki Ignis weighs around 850kg, so its 89bhp feels entirely sufficient to me!.

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Tue 10 Nov 2020 18:12
Suzuki Vitara 2015 on - Looking to buy a Vitara Or SX4 S Cross - moward

I must admit I quite like the Ignis, regrettably I cant persuade my missus to look at one. The 850 kg kerb weight is quite impressive, does it include the 75kg Driver as per European Directive 95/48/EC? If so an unladen weight under 800kg is almost unheard of these days, credit to Suzuki for getting the whole adding lightness thing.

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Tue 10 Nov 2020 18:22
Suzuki Vitara 2015 on - Looking to buy a Vitara Or SX4 S Cross - Ethan Edwards

They save weight by using higher quality stronger steel. Usually manufacturers just use mild steel. Want it stronger? Just make it thicker and heavier its cheaper too. Suzuki have simply used stronger higher quality metal to do the same job keeping the weight down. Same approach on all their cars. en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/HEARTECT_platform

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Tue 10 Nov 2020 18:29
Suzuki Vitara 2015 on - Looking to buy a Vitara Or SX4 S Cross - badbusdriver

I must admit I quite like the Ignis, regrettably I cant persuade my missus to look at one. The 850 kg kerb weight is quite impressive, does it include the 75kg Driver as per European Directive 95/48/EC? If so an unladen weight under 800kg is almost unheard of these days, credit to Suzuki for getting the whole adding lightness thing.

Not sure about that, but I'd assume so if manufacturers are required to do so?. I can't find the PDF brochure I got the figures from as the Ignis has now been facelifted (they are all mild hybrids now, and our cars AGS has been superseded by a CVT), so I am unable to check what it actually said about driver weight.

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Tue 10 Nov 2020 21:14
Suzuki Vitara 2015 on - Looking to buy a Vitara Or SX4 S Cross - DieselMan1966

Many thanks for the replies, a couple of years ago I owned a facelifted SX4, I would have still had it, but it was written off when someone backed into it in a car park. They denied all knowledge of the accident until the dash cam footage was made available!

Anyway, I digress, I think I'm doing just under the break even point for diesel mirage, when you add in the service costs,

My current car, a 2014 C3 1.2VTI is starting to show signs of the common clutch problem, the sticking release bearing, so that will need to be sorted, Its off to be looked at on Monday,

Or maybe its telling me something!

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Tue 10 Nov 2020 22:08
Suzuki Vitara 2015 on - Looking to buy a Vitara Or SX4 S Cross - moward

Hopefully you’ve factored timing belt intervals into your servicing costs. According to www.honestjohn.co.uk/carbycar/suzuki/vitara-2015/g...d , a timing belt change (for the Vitara at least) is quite an eye opening sum. Could buy a LOT of petrol with it. The petrol engine, being chain cam, has no such hassle, simply add fuel and the odd oil change and bobs yer uncle.

The diesel engine is supplied by FIAT, not exactly a byword for engineering excellence in recent years, maybe the newer ones are better.

I promise I’m not trying to scare you off :-), I’ve lost count of the number of times I’ve had to explain to friends and family how the fuel costs don’t really matter in the grand scheme of things, especially when compared against depreciation of the vehicle itself. Even did the sums for them but they still don’t see it. Saving a £10 a week in fuel is pittance compared with the risk of bills for many £100’s if not £1000’s to fix a dirty old derv. For 8000 miles p/a I would (did) pick the petrol.

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Thu 12 Nov 2020 16:19
Suzuki Vitara 2015 on - Looking to buy a Vitara Or SX4 S Cross - coopshere
If it helps, I bought a new SX4 1.6 Allgrip with CVT in 2015. Had it 4 years and was well pleased with it. The CVT does require a different driving style, don’t just keep your foot to the floorboards when accelerating, progressively ease off is the best way. In sport mode it is very quick and always returned 42 to 44 mpg which included some spirited driving. Exchanged it after 4 years and only had normal servicing and a set of tyres.

Now have a 1.4t Torque converter Auto Vitara with 2 wheel drive now 18months old. Gives same mpg and is also a superb drive. Test drove the 1.0 SX4 auto which was adequate but preferred the extra power of the 1.4t. Even the base models are well equipped. Would definitely buy another, may not seem quite as refined as some of the German counterparts but far better value for money especially when comparing the extras that come as standard.

The New Vitara (2020 update) is not currently available as an Auto. They are concentrating on the Hybrids now and only have the manual box. Hoping this will change in a couple of years as will probably buy one.
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