Body style: SUV (Sports Utility Vehicle)
Segment: Small SUV
Production years: 1989, 1990, 1991, 1992, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998
Suzuki introduced the Vitara lineup in 1988 as a 1989 model for those looking for a light SUV but needed more room and comfort than the rugged Samurai.
The Japanese carmaker didn't want to use a chassis anymore and tried to increase comfort and features inside the vehicle. It resulted in one of the most popular SUVs in the compact-segment from the early '90s, the Vitara. Designed as a unit-body vehicle, available as a three-door hard-top or two-door convertible, the Vitara was known for its lightweight and the fuel-efficiency that made it very useful in urban traffic.
The exterior was a mix of straight-line and curved panels. Its designers installed enlarged fenders over the wheel-arches to make the car looks more muscular. In the rear, the tiny taillights installed above the bumpers were protected by annoying parking scratches.
Inside, there were two comfortable seats at the front and a small bench in the back fit for two children or not-so-tall adults. The car provided limited legroom, and the main reason it featured a bench was to expand the, otherwise, tiny trunk. In fact, it was so small that the carmaker couldn't place the spare-wheel inside the vehicle.
Under the hood, Suzuki installed a choice of three engines, depending on the market. All of them were paired as standard to a 5-speed transmission. A transfer-case ensured the 4x4 system.
ENGINE SPECS - 1.6L 16V 5MT AWD (97 HP) | |
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Cylinders: | L4 |
Displacement: | 1590 cm3 |
Power: | 71 KW @ 5600 RPM 97 HP @ 5600 RPM 95 BHP @ 5600 RPM |
Torque: | 97 lb-ft @ 4000 RPM 132 Nm @ 4000 RPM |
Fuel System: | Multipoint Injection |
Fuel: | Gasoline |
Fuel capacity: | 11.1 gallons (42.0 L) |
PERFORMANCE SPECS | |
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Top Speed: | 87 mph (140 km/h) |
Acceleration 0-62 Mph (0-100 kph): | 13 s |
TRANSMISSION SPECS | |
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Drive Type: | All Wheel Drive |
Gearbox: | 5-Speed manual |
BRAKES SPECS | |
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Front: | Ventilated Discs |
Rear: | Drums |
TIRES SPECS | |
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Tire Size: | 195R15 |
DIMENSIONS | |
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Length: | 142.5 in (3620 mm) |
Width: | 64.2 in (1631 mm) |
Height: | 65.7 in (1669 mm) |
Front/rear Track: | 55.1/55.1 in (1,400/1,400 mm) |
Wheelbase: | 86.6 in (2200 mm) |
Ground Clearance: | 7.9 in (201 mm) |
Cargo Volume: | 7.1 cuFT (201 L) |
WEIGHT SPECS | |
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Unladen Weight: | 2403 lbs (1090 kg) |
Gross Weight Limit: | 3306.9 lbs (1500 kg) |
FUEL ECONOMY (NEDC) | |
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Combined: | 24.7 mpg US (9.5 L/100Km) |
CO2 Emissions: | 226.1 g/km |
ENGINE SPECS - 1.6L 5MT AWD (80 HP) | |
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Cylinders: | L4 |
Displacement: | 1590 cm3 |
Power: | 59 KW @ 5400 RPM 80 HP @ 5400 RPM 79 BHP @ 5400 RPM |
Torque: | 94 lb-ft @ 3000 RPM 127 Nm @ 3000 RPM |
Fuel System: | Multipoint Injection |
Fuel: | Gasoline |
Fuel capacity: | 11.1 gallons (42.0 L) |
PERFORMANCE SPECS | |
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Top Speed: | 87 mph (140 km/h) |
TRANSMISSION SPECS | |
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Drive Type: | All Wheel Drive |
Gearbox: | 5-Speed manual |
BRAKES SPECS | |
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Front: | Ventilated Discs |
Rear: | Drums |
TIRES SPECS | |
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Tire Size: | 195R15 |
DIMENSIONS | |
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Length: | 142.5 in (3620 mm) |
Width: | 64.2 in (1631 mm) |
Height: | 65.7 in (1669 mm) |
Front/rear Track: | 55.1/55.1 in (1,400/1,400 mm) |
Wheelbase: | 86.6 in (2200 mm) |
Ground Clearance: | 7.9 in (201 mm) |
Cargo Volume: | 7.1 cuFT (201 L) |
WEIGHT SPECS | |
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Unladen Weight: | 2215.6 lbs (1005 kg) |
Gross Weight Limit: | 3196.7 lbs (1450 kg) |
FUEL ECONOMY (NEDC) | |
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City: | 20.5 mpg US (11.5 L/100Km) |
Highway: | 32.2 mpg US (7.3 L/100Km) |
Combined: | 25.3 mpg US (9.3 L/100Km) |
CO2 Emissions: | 235.6 g/km |
ENGINE SPECS - 2.0L 16V 5MT AWD (132 HP) | |
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Cylinders: | L4 |
Displacement: | 1995 cm3 |
Power: | 97 KW @ 6100 RPM 132 HP @ 6100 RPM 130 BHP @ 6100 RPM |
Torque: | 122 lb-ft @ 3000 RPM 166 Nm @ 3000 RPM |
Fuel System: | Multipoint Injection |
Fuel: | Gasoline |
Fuel capacity: | 11.1 gallons (42.0 L) |
PERFORMANCE SPECS | |
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Top Speed: | 99.4 mph (160 km/h) |
TRANSMISSION SPECS | |
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Drive Type: | All Wheel Drive |
Gearbox: | 5-Speed manual |
BRAKES SPECS | |
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Front: | Ventilated Discs |
Rear: | Drums |
TIRES SPECS | |
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Tire Size: | 215/65R16 |
DIMENSIONS | |
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Length: | 142.5 in (3620 mm) |
Width: | 64.2 in (1631 mm) |
Height: | 65.7 in (1669 mm) |
Front/rear Track: | 55.1/55.1 in (1,400/1,400 mm) |
Wheelbase: | 86.6 in (2200 mm) |
Ground Clearance: | 7.9 in (201 mm) |
Cargo Volume: | 7.1 cuFT (201 L) |
WEIGHT SPECS | |
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Unladen Weight: | 2601.4 lbs (1180 kg) |
Gross Weight Limit: | 3747.8 lbs (1700 kg) |
FUEL ECONOMY (NEDC) | |
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Combined: | 24.2 mpg US (9.7 L/100Km) |
CO2 Emissions: | 230.9 g/km |