Tweed Jacket Reviews: 2018 Suzuki Vitara 1.6 SZ-T "Kuro"

Tweed Jacket Reviews: 2018 Suzuki Vitara 1.6 SZ-T "Kuro" - Lloyd Vehicle Consulting

Рет қаралды 2,275

3 жыл бұрын

Google Form Link for ordering Mugs and T-Shirts: docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FA...
Survey Monkey Link to sign up to the Social on 24th July: www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/YXKC8LY
In this review, suitably attired, we go for a drive out in the West Midlands to test a wonderful 2018 Suzuki Vitara 1.6 SZ-T "Kuro" and see how practical it is, what it is like to drive and what it is like to own. Be prepared for more in-jokes for fans of a certain long-running spy film franchise (as usual), references to Peter Serafinowicz's seminal spoof science series Look Around You, lots and lots of hard black shiny plastic, terrible attempts at a fake Japanese accent, a luxurious analogue clock, a normally aspirated petrol engine in a small SUV (for once) and really very little of any consequence at all. Nothing untoward, then!
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As an independent vehicle consultant, I take potential buyers through the whole car buying process from choosing a make and model to a vehicle handover and road tax. In addition to information on this service, I also have a selection of written and video reviews of cars that I have owned, hired, borrowed or have somehow come into my possession. Please use the Contact Me page on my website to get in touch, visit my Facebook page for latest updates and share this video if you like it! Thank you for watching.
Website: www.lloydvehicleconsulting.co.uk
Facebook: / lloydvehicleconsulting
Vehicle kindly supplied by Summit Garage of Dudley (01384 469 557): www.summitgarage.co.uk
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Theme Music "Here" by Laurence Callaghan and The Tin Cans Copyright 2013 Bezalel Records
Download the EP at completing.bandcamp.com

Пікірлер: 37

@mpersad 3 жыл бұрын

Terrific review as always. Received my T-shirt and mug this morning - very delighted and both have already been used! :)

@lloydvehicleconsulting 3 жыл бұрын

Excellent, sir! Glad to hear that they made their way safely to you. Glad you enjoyed the review!

@markonmotoring 3 жыл бұрын

Never owned a Vitara but I do have fond memories of the first gen SWB and the bonkers looking convertible with wide wheel arches. Could be wrong but I think the name Rodeo may have been used and I think there were a Barbie model too. Of course the early ones without the cosmetic mods were an affordable and formidable off roader. The current ones seem to have evolved to the modern SUV format but as you have pointed out they are less competitive on price these days.

@lloydvehicleconsulting 3 жыл бұрын

Yes, it was the Vauxhall Frontera that was sold as the Isuzu Rodeo in some markets, not the Vitara. I can't remember if there was a Barbie special edition or not. The first generation one I had was equipped with brakes which locked up at the slightest provocation, really vague steering, virtually no equipment and an amazingly capable four wheel drive system with a separate low range gearbox. Quite different from today's Vitara!

@hoddy121john 3 жыл бұрын

Another top notch review sir,very detailed as always.

@lloydvehicleconsulting 3 жыл бұрын

No problem at all, sir! When I started the channel almost three years ago, all the videos were going to be in this format, but we subsequently changed that to save costs. I first drove one of these current shape Vitaras four years ago, and it was very impressive, actually. Glad you enjoyed it!

@frothe42 3 жыл бұрын

I like this Suzuki very much! Also love the analog clock 🕒 with the ventilation outlets in the center dashboard. What I thoroughly dislike (you can see this while you were driving, the camera facing yourself) is the middle 3-point shoulder belt which must be detached for the rear seat to fold down without an abstruction. That middle safety belt is not built into the seat back itself. A few other vehicles in its class are guilty of this! You have to use the key to detach the middle shoulder belt, and I dislike that intensely! I looked up on Wikipedia about the Vitara and its history, which here in the US started out as the Sidekick, to which I am very familiar with! Very durable. Much to like about this, despite several disadvantages. Another superb review Joseph!

@lloydvehicleconsulting 3 жыл бұрын

Glad you like it, sir! The later ones have a slightly better quality interior. I did notice the way the middle seat belt is mounted, but it is so common for modern SUVs to be like this, that I did not remark upon it. The Vitara certainly has a long and illustrious history, even if it is no longer sold in America since Suzuki do not sell any cars on the US market any more.

@mattsbeamer 3 жыл бұрын

another great review. My favourite is the original widebody kit version :) Keep up with the great work

@lloydvehicleconsulting 3 жыл бұрын

Glad you enjoyed it, sir! The wide body versions are quite rare now, mainly rusted away, I think.

@adamtoms2726 3 жыл бұрын

My Dad has just bought a 2018 one of these All Grip but with the forbidden fuelled engine. Much as is his love for the dirty fuel. As I had advised him at the time, right car wrong engine! But he likes it, and having seen it in the flesh I like them very much, he has owned many Suzuki's over the years. Suzuki is an incredibly underrated brand in this country. Another very detailed review, thankyou Joseph.

@lloydvehicleconsulting 3 жыл бұрын

Yes sir, we will have to avoid talking about that on the channel, won't we? A very good car, particularly the post-facelift ones with the improved engine range and better interior. Suzukis are one of the most popular brands in the world, but not really that beloved over here. Generally very reliable cars, particularly with an engine like this 1.6 petrol. Thank you again, sir!

@mattw8332 3 жыл бұрын

I've always liked the Vitara. One of Suzuki’s greatest hits.

@lloydvehicleconsulting 3 жыл бұрын

That's right, sir! One of Suzuki's most popular models to this day. Thank you for watching as usual, sir...

@scottishcarenthusiastsandtrain 3 жыл бұрын

Great Review Sir, the Vitara is a great looking car and that analogue clock is a win for me, cannot remember the last time I seen a analogue clock in a car.

@frothe42 3 жыл бұрын

I had the same exact thought! The only vehicles that might have an analog clock are Infiniti and maybe Jaguar, although I think Jaguar has gone completely digital. Having something analogue in a digital world just seems so right, reassuring, comforting!

@lloydvehicleconsulting 3 жыл бұрын

I don't know why they decided to put an analogue clock in it, other than it fitted nicely into the same opening as one of the air vents. The interior isn't actually as nice as an MG ZS or a SsangYong Tivoli, and considering those were both cheaper, it doesn't reflect well on Suzuki. The exterior design of the car along with the way it drives, though, is definitely not in question.

@seancooke7332 Жыл бұрын

Very attractive little SUV and I like the sound of the King of the Road Feel. 5 Star NCAP is very impressive. No light for rear passengers, although not a given is a very considerate fitting, especially for those using child seats and transporting elderly passengers or school run duties. Reversing camera is a very good option. Hard to justify a Vitara today though with the likes of the Kia Sportage Ssangyong Tivoli and MG ZS with their competitive pricing and 7 year Warranties.

@lloydvehicleconsulting Жыл бұрын

Yes, they do drive very well, and the 1.6 petrol engine tends to be very reliable, but the interior quality is a bit suspect (even in comparison with the ZS and the Tivoli), and there isn't as much space as in either of those cars for the back seat passengers.

@seancooke4127 3 жыл бұрын

Nice commanding driving position with good handling at the same time. Pretty little clock. Attractive steering wheel and useful reversing camera. 1.6 with 120 bhp is probably all the car that most people will ever need. I really am struggling to find negativity with the Vitara. Visibility when parking to a degree possibly but I haven't driven one so I cannot comment. 3 year warranty is not class leading or anything but I would wager that Suzuki Warranty claims are very rare because they don't go wrong. Glad you enjoyed your Steed for today's Tweed, Sir. Thank you.

@lloydvehicleconsulting 3 жыл бұрын

Yes, decent driving position and a car which definitely drives well. The clock is a bit of an acquired taste, I think. The poor quality cabin materials and lack of light are a bit of an issue, but the specification overall is reasonably good. The 1.6 pre-facelift engine should be fine for most, as you say. It could do with some parking sensors, this Kuro special edition doesn't perhaps show the car in its best light and the warranty isn't very generous, but they are pretty decent cars overall, as you say.

@seancooke4127 3 жыл бұрын

@@lloydvehicleconsulting there is a version of the 2017 Ford Kuga that comes all in Black also. I have to agree with you that this does not show a car in its best light. Too much black is as bad as too much chrome but keep on giving me chrome because I can never have too much of it.

@lloydvehicleconsulting 3 жыл бұрын

@@seancooke4127 , we do like chrome, sir, as it tends to signify the luxury model in the range!

@alansimpson835 3 жыл бұрын

Very enjoyable sir. Interesting you mention the Ssang Yong Tivoli and MG ZS being better value new. I'm guessing the previous owner thought so too

@lloydvehicleconsulting 3 жыл бұрын

They certainly were better value new, and they are much better value new now too. I don't know whether the Vitara was traded in against an MG ZS or now, but it is a possibility...

@colinhicks4174 3 жыл бұрын

I test drove the 1.4 140hp version. It was like a warm hatch. And quite fuel efficient. Having the 1L in the Baleno I’m not convinced that it is the right capacity for the size of the Vitara. You need a bit of capacity. I don’t think any of the SZTs get the dash clock. That was reserved for the SZ5, at least in 2017. So it must have been one of the perks of the special edition. So that just leaves the S-Cross for the Suzuki range to be completed.

@lloydvehicleconsulting 3 жыл бұрын

I drove the 1.0 Boosterjet SX4 S-Cross manual a few years ago, and it was surprisingly quick, actually, so it should be more than adequate in a Vitara. Everyone who has driven a 1.4 Vitara says that they are pretty quick. Yes, the clock probably is just for this special edition rather than all Kuros.

@chrissimmonds3844 3 жыл бұрын

Hello Mr Lloyd. I found this but I'm the first to view and comment, and it didn't pop up in my notifications. Do you think something's gone wrong?

@lloydvehicleconsulting 3 жыл бұрын

No, there's nothing wrong. It's on the playlist already but not marked as public. I often leave videos which have been completed, but not released, like this for anyone who is curious. Hope you enjoyed your accidental preview.

@yekateradiffin5939 3 жыл бұрын

They have certainly come a long way

@lloydvehicleconsulting 3 жыл бұрын

I used to own a 1996 Mark I Vitara. This 2018 car is really nothing like the original at all, but it is far easier to live with. The old one had terrible vague steering and brakes which would lock up at the slightest provocation.

@mariojager43 3 жыл бұрын

Great cars, have the 1.4S Allgrip, same tyres from new, at 21k though just about to change them now. Very economical if driven leisurely 50+ but acceleration is like a hot hatch if required.

@lloydvehicleconsulting 3 жыл бұрын

@@mariojager43 , I have heard really good things about the 1.4 Boosterjet in pre-facelift S trim. The price difference between the 1.6 petrol engine versions and the 1.4 Boosterjet have levelled out now, but back in the day, the 1.4 was much, much more expensive. The 1.4s are much easier to recommend now!