A new Suzuki Vitara has been unveiled overseas, with the Japanese brand’s updated mid-size SUV pencilled in for an early 2019 launch in Australia.
The big news lurks under the bonnet, with the 1.6-litre petrol engine - which lives inside our cheapest two-wheel-drive models - and the 1.6-litre diesel engine both scrapped in favour of smaller, turbocharged units.
Instead, the 2019 Vitara arrives with a choice of 1.0- and 1.4-litre turbocharged petrol engines. The smaller engine will produce 81kW, while the bigger version, which is unchanged from the outgoing models, will still produce 103kW and 220Nm.
Visually, you can expect a lightly tweaked exterior design - a redesigned front grille, bumper and LED headlights headline the changes - and two new colours will also join the palette, along with new alloy wheels. Inside, soft-touch material now lines the dash, while a colour screen in the driver's binaccle joins the standard features list, not matter what your spend.
More importantly, though, Suzuki is describing the updated Vitara as the “most technically advanced Suzuki to date”, with AEB, active lane-departure warning, traffic-sign recognition, blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert all either available or standard kit, depending on the trim level.
Australian pricing and specifics are yet to be confirmed, but you can expect to see the new Vitara locally next year. In the meantime, as always, watch this space.
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