A weekend away in Suzuki’s stylish soft-roader
If you’ve ever packed for a weekend away with a large South African family, you’ll know that luggage limits are more of a suggestion than a rule. Add in bedding, a braai grid, and three types of rusks (don’t ask), and you quickly realise that one vehicle simply won’t do. So, when the Suzuki Grand Vitara 1.5 GLX 5MT recently came in for review, the timing was spot-on – it joined us on a family escape to Vivo in Limpopo, just north-west of Polokwane and not too far from Alldays. It was the perfect opportunity to see whether this reimagined nameplate still has the mettle to match its heritage.
And yes, we did take two vehicles, because eight humans plus all their stuff is a challenge for even the most capacious seven-seater, which the five-seater GLX is not. But what the Grand Vitara is – is practical, comfortable, frugal (mostly), and actually quite a looker.
Style for days
Before I get into the meat and potatoes of the drive, let’s talk about that exterior. Gone is the boxy utilitarian look of the previous Grand Vitara. This new version is all curves and confidence, with a modern multi-level grille, three-point LED daytime running lights, bold wheel arches and Suzuki’s signature clamshell bonnet now given a more sculpted edge. It also gets chrome bits and polished wheels, making it rugged-lite in the best way.
Cabin comfort
Friday’s drive to Limpopo was thankfully uneventful in the traffic department, at least until the final stretch where a fair number of trucks reminded us that this is a working road. That gave us plenty of time to enjoy the interior comforts – the supportive seats, the 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system with wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay (no fiddling with cables, hooray!), and the efficient aircon, which handled the cool morning air and the Lowveld heat later on like a champ.
The cabin feels anything but cheap. The layered dashboard gives a sense of space, and the ergonomics are spot-on. There’s also keyless entry and start, automatic climate control, cruise control and a multi-function leather-wrapped steering wheel. All the bells most people actually use.
Performance and practicality
Under the bonnet, the Grand Vitara GLX 5MT is powered by Suzuki’s familiar 1.5-litre K15B naturally aspirated four-cylinder petrol engine, which delivers 77kW and 138Nm. Paired to a five-speed manual gearbox and driving the front wheels, it’s not going to break any speed records, but it’s peppy enough when you row through the gears with purpose. The clutch is light, the gearshift is slick, and the whole drivetrain feels unpretentious – just like the vehicle itself.
It handled the open road with ease, although steep hills and overtaking long-haul trucks took a bit of planning. But for a family trip with a medium load and a relaxed pace, it was more than adequate. Ride quality, courtesy of the MacPherson strut front and torsion beam rear suspension, was surprisingly plush. Limpopo’s patchy road surfaces were handled with confidence, and wind noise was minimal until Sunday…
When traffic strikes
Coming home on the Sunday was a different kettle of fish. The highway between Polokwane and Pretoria was crawling. Add in stop-start traffic, blustery headwinds and a loaded vehicle, and you’ve got a recipe for increased fuel consumption. And while the Grand Vitara’s claimed consumption is 6.0 litres/100km, we averaged closer to 7.5 litres/100km on the return trip – not tragic, but worth noting.
Still, the car’s standard safety systems – six airbags, ABS with EBD, Electronic Stability Programme, Hill Hold Assist and rear parking sensors – were very reassuring in the madness. Visibility is good, the reverse camera helps in tight spots, and it feels composed in stressful situations. There’s no all-wheel drive on this model, but with 210mm of ground clearance and decent approach angles, gravel roads won’t be a problem.
Legacy, revisited
The Grand Vitara name carries a fair bit of weight in South Africa; the previous model was something of a cult classic, with a long lifecycle thanks to its off-road ability and go-anywhere charm. This new one is built in India as part of the Suzuki-Toyota partnership and is more of a comfortable urban adventurer than a bundu basher. And that’s not a bad thing.
It offers just enough rugged style to appeal to those with a light adventure streak, while keeping the running costs low, the comfort levels high, and the tech bang up to date. If you need more off-road capability or want a mild hybrid with all-wheel drive and automatic convenience, there are other versions in the Grand Vitara range to choose from – but for value-focused buyers, the GLX 5MT nails the brief.
The bottom line
At the time of writing, the Suzuki Grand Vitara 1.5 GL 5MT is priced from R347 900, which puts it squarely in contention with other compact crossovers – but few can match its spec sheet, practicality and badge reputation at this price. Sure, you’ll need to pack smartly if you’re travelling with the extended family, but as a daily driver with weekend adventure potential, it’s an excellent all-rounder.
