This is the brand-new Suzuki Grand Vitara, the twin to the recently unveiled Toyota Hyryder. And it’s been confirmed for South Africa…

UPDATE: Suzuki Auto South Africa has confirmed the new Grand Vitara is scheduled to launch locally in the first quarter of 2023. The Japanese firm’s local division showed off its latest SUV at the media day ahead of the 2022 Festival of Motoring at the Kyalami Grand Prix Circuit.

The Grand Vitara will be sourced from Maruti Suzuki in India, where it is offered in mild-hybrid and full-hybrid form. Interestingly, Suzuki Auto SA says the Grand Vitara will also be available locally in two engine configurations, though seemingly not the full hybrid. The powertrains destined for SA are Suzuki’s familiar K15B naturally aspirated 1.5-litre, 4-cylinderunit and the new (likewise atmospheric) K15C 1.5-litre dual-jet motor with mild-hybrid technology. K15B-equipped variants will be available with the choice of a manual or automatic transmission, while the K15C-endowed derivatives will feature “AllGrip” all-wheel drive and an automatic transmission.

We’ll have to wait until closer to the 2023 launch to learn more about local specifications and pricing, though Suzuki Auto SA does describe the Grand Vitara as its “new flagship”. For the range-topping version, we can expect what the brand calls “class-leading features” such as a 9-inch high-definition touchscreen infotainment system, a 360-degree surround-view camera system, a head-up display and wireless smartphone charging. Meanwhile, LED projector headlamps, cruise control, 6 airbags, keyless entry (with a push-button start system) and climate control will be fitted as standard across the range.

The global reveal of Suzuki’s new Grand Vitara

The Suzuki and Toyota relationship is going from strength to strength with the reveal of the 5th generation Suzuki Grand Vitara. This model is the Suzuki-badged version of the recently-unveiled Toyota Hyryder.

It’s a bold step putting the Grand Vitara name on a brand-new product. The global flagship SUV for Suzuki has a stellar reputation for offroad capability. Underpinned by the Suzuki Global C platform, the new Suzuki Grand Vitara also makes use of powertrains from both Toyota and Suzuki.

A mild-hybrid 1.5-litre petrol from Suzuki with 75 kW and 135 Nm, as well as a Toyota-sourced 1.5-litre petrol motor that makes do with an electric motor, to give a combined output of 85 kW and 141 Nm. The latter is capable of a pure electric range of 25 km.

Customers will be able to choose from a 5-speed manual gearbox, or a 6-speed automatic, while the hybrid features an e-CVT. There’ll be a degree of offroad capability with Suzuki’s AllGrip Select with modes like Auto, Sport, Snow and Lock. No low range is offered.

Inside, the new 2022 Suzuki Grand Vitara gets a few levels of trim. Top-spec models get a heads-up display, ventilated seats, 9-inch infotainment system, panoramic sunroof, 360-degree camera, wireless charger, digital dashboard, and Google/Siri voice connectivity.

As far as safety tech goes, the new 2022 Suzuki Grand Vitara has tyre pressue sensors, up to 6 airbags and stability control.

It will be interesting to see if Suzuki South Africa brings this model to our market. We suspect that the Toyota version won’t be coming as it overlaps with the locally-assembled Toyota Corolla Cross.

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