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Suzuki Ignis vs Suzuki Vitara

What's the difference?

VS
Suzuki Ignis
Suzuki Ignis

$15,346 - $21,990

2021 price

Suzuki Vitara
Suzuki Vitara

$19,880 - $30,999

2021 price

Summary

2021 Suzuki Ignis
2021 Suzuki Vitara
Safety Rating

Engine Type
Inline 4, 1.2L

Inline 4, 1.6L
Fuel Type
Premium Unleaded Petrol

Unleaded Petrol
Fuel Efficiency
4.9L/100km (combined)

5.8L/100km (combined)
Seating
4

5
Dislikes
  • No AEB, DAB+ and telescopic steering
  • Stiff ride, noisy cabin
  • Poor EuroNCAP crash-test rating

  • No AEB availability in this grade
  • Stiff ride
  • Too much road and engine noise intrusion
2021 Suzuki Ignis Summary

Welcome to one of the world’s tiniest SUVs, as well as amongst Australia’s cheapest – Suzuki’s diminutive Ignis.

There’s an Aussie connection. Holden designer Peter Hughes styled the original YG Cruze based on the first (FH) Ignis of 2000, with both models sharing most components underneath; but the latter was not well received, prompting Suzuki to change tack for its reborn Swift replacement of 2004. Yet the name and concept were revived 11 years later (without GMH) for the retro-themed high-riding hatch/crossover you see here today.

The point? This quick history lesson serves to remind us how similar both Ignis generations are, as well as how devoted Suzuki is in its pursuit of owning the light SUV space.

In June 2020, a facelifted MF arrived, brandishing a revised grille, bumpers and trim to give it a chunkier appearance, along with minor spec changes.

Here we take a long look at the GLX auto.

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2021 Suzuki Vitara Summary

Suzuki invented the modern compact SUV. It’s funny how quickly people forget.

Yes, the pioneering Vitara of 1988 rode on a ladder-frame chassis so was not car based, but it was successful enough to show the way for others to follow. Chiefly, Toyota, with the seminal Corolla-derived first-gen RAV4 of 1994.

Fun fact: this earliest Vitara was also known as the Suzuki Escudo (Japan) and Sidekick (North America), as well as the GMC/Geo/Chevrolet Tracker and Pontiac Sunrunner (USA), Asüna Sunrunner (Canada), and perhaps most evocatively, Wanli WLZ5020XLD and Guangtong GTQ5020XLZ (China).

So, respect to the Vitara, especially since it has evolved over four redesigns, eight different badges and 33 years, from fashionable 4x4 leisure machine to 4x4 off-roader (1998 FT and 2005 JT Grand Vitara) to 2015’s monocoque-bodied JY-series small SUV.

How does the 2021 JY Series II Vitara 1.6 auto stand up? Keep on reading.

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Deep dive comparison

2021 Suzuki Ignis 2021 Suzuki Vitara

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