Suzuki Vitara Brezza 1.5 GL 5MT Review

Suzuki Vitara Brezza

If there’s one brand that is no stranger on this platform it has to be Suzuki. Once again Suzuki has been kind to us by offering us the opportunity to review one of their exciting cars, the Suzuki Vitara Brezza. It is one of Suzuki’s latest offerings that is yet to give other compact SUV makers a run for their money.

The Suzuki Vitara Brezza is what I call the ultimate budget compact SUV. I say this because most compact SUVs surpass the R300 000 mark. Most higher-spec compact SUV are now approaching the R500 000 price tag.

The Looks

As with any car review on this platform, we will start with the exterior. The Suzuki Vitara Brezza borrows its looks from its older sister, the Vitara albeit the same base. In case you are wondering where does the Suzuki Vitara Brezza fits in the Suzuki family, well it is that middle child between the Ignis and the Vitara.  On the front, it is fitted with a chrome grille, with LED lights (both the headlamps and the fog lights). It also has daytime LED running lights.

Suzuki Vitara Brezza front

It also comes with 16” alloy wheels giving it a more sporty look. Customers have the option of two-tone body colour if they want to stand out more.

The Interior

When you are inside the Suzuki Brezza it does feel as compact as it looks. It literally feels bigger. Although it has upholstery seats, it has a leather steering wheel with multi-controls including cruise control.

In terms of connectivity, it is built-in with a 4.2 inch LCD display screen with Android-Auto and AppleCar play. It also has Bluetooth connectivity and one USB port in the front which I found quite unpleasant.

Suzuki Vitara Brezza front

It’s got a large enough boot space (328 liters to be precise) for all those groceries and other day-to-day weights. In the boot, there’s also a 12v socket, to supply electrical power for portable accessories used inside or near the car.

The Drive

As I always say, to determine whether a car is good or not you have to drive. If there’s one thing that most Suzukis (particularly those that I’ve reviewed) have in common is the smooth drive. The Vitara Brezza seats confidently and quietly on the road. Powered with a 1.5 litre naturally aspirated engine, it produces 77 kW of power and 138 Nm of torque. It doesn’t read like a lot but it surely delivers on the road.

The one thing I didn’t quite like with the Suzuki Vitara Brezza was the wind noise especially when you are driving on the highway.

Another thing Suzuki is synonymous with is fuel efficiency. I had the test vehicle for 2 weeks and I averaged 6.6 litres/100km which is impressive for a vehicle of its size.

Does it get a Pat or a Slap?

The Suzuki Vitara Brezza gets a Pat from me on the basis of price, practicality, and how well it drive. The starting price for the Suzuki Vitara Brezza is R244 900.

Book a test drive.

#DriveWithPat Suzuki Vitara 1.4 Turbo

Suzuki Vitara 1.4 Turbo

The Suzuki Vitara 1.4 Turbo GLX is the seventh Suzuki I’ve reviewed. I’ve done Suzuki reviews from the Swift to the Ertiga. If you believe in the bible and numerology you would understand the significance of the number 7, it is a symbolic number. Above all, the number 7 is a positive number. Some numerologists believe that the number 7 is so perfect and powerful that it represents a connection to the world. This sums up my experience with the Suzuki Vitara.

It is a symbolic number. Above all, the number 7 is a positive number. Some numerologists believe that the number 7 is so perfect and powerful that it represents a connection to the world. This sums up my experience with the Suzuki Vitara.

The looks

The Suzuki Vitara is uniquely designed and a definite head-turner. The two-tone colour co-ordination coupled with the 17-inch alloy wheels, chrome details and daytime LED running lights makes it look modern yet strong and muscular. In the rear, it’s got an intricate design for its taillights. It is a stylish car.

The interior

I was pleasantly surprised when I stepped inside the Suzuki Vitara, particularly by the suede and synthetic leather seats. The door trim inserts are also covered with suede. Suzuki has done an amazing job with the interior. Compared to the previous six Suzukis I reviewed, I found the Vitara luxurious. The air vents though could use with a touch of detail. They look a bit flimsy.

The tech

I must say the Vitara is also the most technologically advanced Suzuki I have ever reviewed. It is fitted with an infotainment system that comes standard with Apple Carplay and Android Auto. The drawback however, is the touch-sensitive pad of the volume on the side. A physical dial could have been much easier. To make up for that, the steering wheel is mounted with audio controls.

Parking the Vitara is made easier as it is equipped with rear and front parking sensors. It also has a rearview camera.

One of my favourite features is the keyless entry with push-start because sometimes you are carrying a lot of things on your hands and having to take out the key to unlock the car be quite a mission. The keyless entry makes life easy by just pushing the button on the door handle or the boot as long the key is on you.

The Drive

Like I always say, the proof of how good a car is in how it drives. The Suzuki Vitara lives up to its brand promise of “Drive The Fun”. Indeed, the Vitara is a fun car to drive thanks to the responsive 1.4 L Turbo BoosterJet engine and the 6-speed manual transmission gearbox (also available in an automatic transmission). The engine produces a whopping 103 kW power and a torque of 200 Nm. Even though we are on lockdown I managed to drive the Vitara on the highway and it was a smooth drive. The cruise control left me longing for a long-distance trip.

In terms of fuel consumption, the Vitara is exceptional for a car of its size, with 5.8 litres per 100KM.

Storage

As a compact SUV, I think Suzuki has done a great job of ensuring that the Vitara has a sizeable storage capacity. The boot is large for a car its size with 375 litres 1120 litres if the rear seats are folded flat. The boot features a removable parcel shelf which creates more space, and there’s a binnacle on either side of the cargo area for smaller items. The spare wheel is the space-saver type so bear this in mind when going off-road.


There are also two cup holders in the front for the driver and passenger and pockets on the doors. There’s also storage under the central armrest.

Price

The Suzuki Vitara 1.4 Turbo GLX 6-speed manual is competitively priced at R386 900 whilst the automatic transmission is priced at R405 900.

Conclusion

The Suzuki Vitara gets a definite Pat from me. As the meaning of the number 7, it is a perfect compact SUV.

#DriveWithPat: Suzuki Ciaz 1.5 GLX

Suzuki Ciaz 1.5 GLX

Suzuki has once again been kind to us and this time around they allowed me to spend time with the gorgeous Ciaz 1.5 GLX (Checkout the review of the Suzuki Ertiga). When I first saw the Suzuki Ciaz, it was love at first sight. In this review I will be looking at the looks, the technology the drive, and storage

The looks

The Ciaz looks elegant inside-out. The chrome front grille that makes it look sharp whilst the LED Projector Auto headlamps command attention and are first in its segment. It is fitted with 16-inch twelve spoke machined alloy wheels. The rear has perfectly fitted tail lights.

Suzuki CIaz 1.5 GLX
Suzuki Ciaz 1.5 GLX

The interior is a display of quality and flair of leather upholstery that is contemporary. Even the top edge of the instrument panel has been designed to match the dashboard shape to further enhance the elegance of the interior.

The Technology

The Suzuki Ciaz is equipped with a 7” touch screen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Adroid Auto which is easy to connect to and operate. To ensure that the driver keeps the eyes on the road(which is where they are supposed to be) when driving the steering wheel also has controls for audio, calls and cruise controls.

Suzuki-ciaz-interior

What I appreciated the most with the Ciaz GLX id the smart key and keyless push start system. I didn’t have to pull out the car key out of my pocket every time I had to enter inside the car or start the engine.

The Ciaz GLX is also fitted with reverse camera and sensors which are useful when reversing especially in those awkward situations. For pure driving pleasure in long distances, the Ciaz has cruise control whilst the automatic air-conditioner keeps you cool. There are also air vents for rear passenger seats and a USB port.

The Drive

In my previous review of the Suzuki Ertiga, I said: “if there is one thing that all Suzuki Cars have in common is the smooth drive”. The Ciaz is no different. It comes with a 1.5 non-turbo engine that produces 77 kW and 138 Nm. This engine is complemented by a five-speed manual transmission.

Another thing that most Suzuki cars have in common is low fuel consumption. Suzuki claims that 5.5L of petrol will get you through 100KM. In my experience, the fuel consumption of any car is to a large extent depended on how the driver drives the car. My average was 6.0L/100KM which is not far off.

Generous Storage

The Suzuki Ciaz has the best-in-class storage capacity. It has the largest boot space in its segment. In actual fact, the luggage capacity is a whopping 495 liters. An electromagnetic latch and boot light enhance ease of use.

Front door pockets can hold a 1000ml bottle and an A4 size document whilst the rear door pockets can hold a 1000ml bottle and an A5 size document. The front armrest incorporates a utility box with a pen & business cardholder. There is also extra storage pockets on the back of the front seats.

Pricing

The Suzuki Ciaz 1.5 GLX is keenly priced at R 249 900 and comes with a 3 year/ 60 000KM service plan. Click here for more pricing options.

In conclusion, here are Pats and Slaps of the Suzuki Ciaz 1.5 GLX:

Pats

  • The Suzuki Ciaz is an elegant looking car
  • There are ample storage compartments and the boot space impressive
  • Well priced

Slaps

There are no Slaps for the Suzuki Ciaz 1.5 MT GLX. The car is fit for purpose.

Book a test drive now.

Suzuki takes home two accolades at SA COTY

Suzuki
Suzuki beat all comers in the Lifestyle Utility and Urban Compact categories at last night’s 2019 AutoTrader South African Car of the Year Awards (COTY), held in Johannesburg.

The Swift was picked as the winner in the Urban Compact category against the Nissan Micra and was called to the stage to collect the category prize. This category considered COTY finalists that offer exceptional value-for-money, good fuel consumption and the type of ease-of-operation that is preferred for city driving.

“We are very proud to have received the prize as the best Urban Compact in South Africa. Since launching the Swift in South Africa, we have sold over 4 424 units, and it has become our best-selling model. This is thanks to its affordable price, good specification level and dynamic road manners,” says André Venter, divisional manager for sales and marketing at Suzuki South Africa.

The Swift is the reigning Japanese Car of the Year and Indian Car of the Year and it was CAR Magazine’s Budget Car of the Year in their Top 12 Awards. It was also the Budget Car winner in the 2019 Cars.co.za Consumer Awards, powered by WesBank. At the 2019 AutoTrader SA Car of the Year competition, the Swift was the most affordable finalist by a significant margin.

Suzuki South Africa has recently increased its international production order to keep up with the increasing demand for this hatchback.Suzuki was called to the stage for a second time when the COTY jury announced the winner of the Lifestyle Utility category. It considered all the COTY finalists that offer a combination of lifestyle attributes and design, without compromising utility.In this category, the Suzuki Jimny beat the other contender, the Mitsubishi Pajero Sport, for the category prize.

The current Suzuki Jimny has already found 438 owners since it was launched in South Africa late last year and there are an additional 900 orders on the waiting list. To help with this, Suzuki has received the green light from the Japanese head office to increase its order volume dramatically.

“There is a significant waiting list for the Suzuki Jimny in every country where it has been launched. We believe that it is a thumbs up from the customers who appreciate the pure design and off-road ability of the new model,” says Venter.

Abroad, the Suzuki Jimny is a contender in the 2019 Design and Urban categories of the World Car of the Year.“Suzuki did well to win in both categories,” says Rubin van Niekerk, chairman of the SA Guild of Motoring Journalists and convenor of the competition.

“Finalists in each category are evaluated both against the other eligible finalists in the competition and then against a set of their peers. They are also evaluated against criteria such as value-for-money and sales success, and we only choose a winner if a vehicle truly performs against all metrics.”