Suzuki Grand Vitara vs Vitara vs Vitara Brezza – What a R267,000 difference makes

Suzuki has launched the flagship model in its popular crossover series – the new Grand Vitara.

The Grand has a starting price of R339,900, making it R77,000 more expensive than the outgoing Vitara Brezza, which begins at R262,900.

In addition, the new unit brings with it the brand’s first hybrid offering in South Africa, which now sits as the most expensive Suzuki in the country with an asking price of R529,900.

This means that the Grand is simultaneously cheaper and more expensive than the regular Vitara, which ranges from R438,900 to R469,900, depending on the model selected.

This can therefore make it a bit difficult to navigate Suzuki’s current crossover selection, which consists of three different models with overlapping prices and similar names.

While the Vitara Brezza will be taken off the market once its remaining stock is depleted, it’s still helpful to see how the Grand improves upon the crossover it is replacing, and many South Africans will undoubtedly still be looking at the Brezza in the pre-owned space for the foreseeable future.

These are the biggest differences between the three Suzuki Vitaras currently on sale in South Africa.

Model line-up and engines

The crossover line-up consists of 14 units – six for the Brezza, three for the Vitara, and five for the Grand.

They all follow a similar trim selection, starting with the GL and ending with the GLX, though the Brezza is also available in a GL S-Edition spec, while the Vitara can only be had in GLX guise.

Making the comparison easier is the fact that the entire Brezza range is powered by the same engine, which is mostly true of the Grand as well, with the exception of the one hybrid driveline. In contrast, the Vitara has a choice of two powertrains.

Starting with the Brezza, the drivetrain on offer is a 1.5-litre, naturally-aspirated petrol setup with either a five-speed manual or four-speed automatic gearbox sending power to the front wheels.

This gives it a performance cap of 77kW and 138Nm and an average fuel consumption of 6.2l/100km.

The non-hybrid Grand employs the same system, though it is listed with a lower fuel consumption of 6.0l/100km. The hybrid, on the other hand, utilizes an AllGrip 4WD layout and a six-speed auto.

It still carries a 1.5-litre petrol plant as its primary power source, but it is helped out by an integrated starter motor, 12V lithium-ion battery pack, stop-start function, and regenerative brakes – the culmination of which provides the lowest fuel consumption rate of any Vitara at 5.6l/100km.

The Vitara, meanwhile, can be had with a 1.6-litre, naturally-aspirated engine and all-wheel drive, or a front-wheel-drive, 1.4-litre, turbocharged configuration – with the former providing 86kW and 151Nm while the latter has 103kW and 220Nm – making it the most powerful of the group.

The transmissions on offer are a five-speed manual or six-speed auto, and the 1.6 returns a consumption of 6.2l/100km while the turbo reduces this to 5.9l/100km.

Features

Looking at the entry-level Brezza GL, standard equipment includes 16-inch wheels, electric side mirrors, a multifunction steering wheel, all-electric windows, automatic air conditioning, fabric seats, rear parking sensors, a reverse camera, and a 7-inch infotainment screen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.

Upgrading to the S-Edition adds alloy wheels, daytime running lights (DRLs), a leather steering wheel, and climate controls.

The top-spec GLX will then throw in keyless entry and start, rain-sensing wipers, automatic LED headlights and DRLs, and cruise control.

The Vitara includes all of the items found on the Brezza, but adds 17-inch diamond-cut alloy rims, suede and leather upholstery, front parking sensors, a speed limiter, hill assist, and a panoramic sunroof, with the turbocharged versions also featuring paddle shifters.

For its part, the Grand GL’s spec sheet reads identically to the range-topping Brezza, with the only exception being a lack of rain-sensing wipers and 17-inch alloys instead of 16-inch ones.

It’s in the GLX where the newest Vitara really ups its game with a 360-degree camera, a larger 9-inch media screen, leatherette seats, a heads-up display, ambient cabin lighting, a wireless phone charger, a panoramic sunroof, and rain-sensing wipers, with paddle shifters once again being reserved for the hybrid.

The three crossovers also have slightly different dimensions, as you can see below:

Interestingly, while the Grand is the largest vehicle overall, it offers the smallest boot of the three. It also has the longest wheelbase and a ground clearance matching that of the Suzuki Jimny, making it the best candidate for off-roading.

Price

The South African pricing for the Suzuki Vitara Brezza is as follows:

• Suzuki Vitara Brezza 1.5 GL – R262,900
• Suzuki Vitara Brezza 1.5 GL S-Edition – R281,900
• Suzuki Vitara Brezza 1.5 GL Auto – R283,900
• Suzuki Vitara Brezza 1.5 GL S-Edition Auto – R301,900
• Suzuki Vitara Brezza 1.5 GLX – R308,900
• Suzuki Vitara Brezza 1.5 GLX Auto – R329,900

The Suzuki Vitara’s local pricing is as follows:

• Suzuki Vitara 1.6 GLX AllGrip – R438,900
• Suzuki Vitara 1.4T GLX – R445,900
• Suzuki Vitara 1.4T GLX Auto – R469,900

Both the Vitara and Vitara Brezza are sold with a 5-year/200,000km warranty and a 4-year/60,000km service plan

The new Suzuki Grand Vitara’s pricing is as follows:

• Suzuki Grand Vitara 1.5 GL Manual – R339,900
• Suzuki Grand Vitara 1.5 GL Auto – R359,900
• Suzuki Grand Vitara 1.5 GLX Manual – R397,900
• Suzuki Grand Vitara 1.5 GLX Auto – R417,900
• Suzuki Grand Vitara 1.5 GLX Hybrid AllGrip Auto – R529,900

Each purchase comes with a 5-year/200,000km warranty and a promotional 6-year/90,000km service plan valid until 30 June 2023.

Suzuki Grand Vitara

Suzuki Vitara

Suzuki Vitara Brezza