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Suzuki Vitara vs Toyota Yaris

What's the difference?

VS
Suzuki Vitara
Suzuki Vitara

$19,800 - $31,555

2021 price

Toyota Yaris
Toyota Yaris

$25,880 - $35,940

2025 price

Summary

2021 Suzuki Vitara
2025 Toyota Yaris
Safety Rating

Engine Type
Inline 4, 1.6L

Inline 3, 1.5L
Fuel Type
Unleaded Petrol

Unleaded Petrol/Electric
Fuel Efficiency
5.8L/100km (combined)

3.3L/100km (combined)
Seating
5

5
Dislikes
  • No AEB availability in this grade
  • Stiff ride
  • Too much road and engine noise intrusion

  • Conservative interior
  • Lacks some features
  • Price
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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Interested in a Suzuki Vitara?
2025 Toyota Yaris Summary

Long the domain of first-car buyers and suburbanites winding down on their driving years, the Toyota Yaris is now hybrid-only, and is a far cry from the $15,000-or-so cheap and cheerful staple it once was.

But with its fourth generation a few years into its lifespan, the Yaris is trying to be more than just a basic A-to-B runabout. In fact, the ZR we have on test is more expensive than an entry-grade Volkswagen Polo.

Does more than $30,000 of light hatch really feel worth it once you’re behind the wheel, or are you better off pocketing almost $10,000 to save on one of the thinning pack of rivals?

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Interested in a Toyota Yaris?

Deep dive comparison

2021 Suzuki Vitara 2025 Toyota Yaris

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