Alex Samples Some Forbidden Suzuki Hybrid Fruit | 2021 Suzuki Vitara Hybrid Review 

Even being in North America I'm actually very familiar with rear fog lights, mostly because of Audiholes who leave it on all the time even in bumper to bumper traffic and blind anyone behind them.

Very smart move reviewing a car in Iceland. It means you can write off the rental car as a company expense. I wish we still got Suzukis in Canada. Mitsubishi and Nissan have the 'broke ass B' market cornered

Wow a manual hybrid CUV. Wouldn't that be nice in the US. Would be cool to have one of these.

Trying to look at the car but too distracted by the gorgeous backdrop, honestly!

Here in the US, I'm still keeping my 2007 Grand Vitara as a backup car. It never let me down and almost zero issue after 110k miles. Right now it's mostly neglected since we have 2 full EVs, 2022 Nissan Leaf and 2022 Kia Niro.

Here in New Zealand, the Vitara is very popular, so it’s been fascinating to watch a review from a North American perspective. I drive a Suzuki Swift Sport - similar in size to a Honda Jazz but with this same 1.4l turbo motor. It weighs less than 1,000lbs and will get to 60mph in less than 8 seconds. It also handles like a go cart and is HUGE fun to drive.

When Suzuki dipped into a America over a decade ago, I gave the Suzuki Vitara a shot. Back then the Kia Sportage could fit in your pocket and the RAV wasn't much bigger. We got it in a crazy but fun dark purple. We got lots of looks but we had a SubCompact SUV yeeeaaaaarrrss before the rest of America. I really wish they'd offer one of their MrWagons or SmileWagons over here somehow. With gas being so pricey a lot of soccer Moms would finally realize the obnoxious buses they're driving.

Loved this review! We get the Vitara in my country, and they're quite popular. Size and price-wise, they compete with stuff like the Chevy Trax, Honda HR-V, Kia Sonet, Hyundai Creta, Toyota Rush, Mazda CX3, Nissan Juke, and Ford Ecosport (all of these are still sold here) The one shown here is the base trim, at least in my market, and the fully loaded model has diamond cut wheels, half leather/microfiber upholstery, and pano roof among other small differences, one of which pertains to 8:25 ... that blank isn't for a vent, it is an analog clock in higher spec models.

19:26 I see some of the closing shots of this Vitara and think "it is a lighter, cheaper, European equivalent of the new redesigned Kia Niro." Yes, the Niro is conventional hybrid, or PHEV, or EV vs @ 48 volt mild hybrid, but the niche both are in is quite similar!

Our 2009 Suzuki SX4 served our family so well. Admittedly, the transmission went out on it. But at 70,000 miles and 6.75 years old, Suzuki completely covered the repair, even though they had left the US market. We’d have bought more Suzukis if they were still sold here!

The only other manual hybrid I've ever heard of was the original Honda CRZ hatchback

Great video Alex! I love you applying your detailed review to an unusual car we don't have in the US

Cool video Alex! Interesting car and absolutely beautiful scenery! Iceland looks like a beautiful country.

I like this! Glad you took the time to give us a review on your holiday, would love to see more stuff like this in future. Just changes it up 👍

Thanks for making this video Alex! I hope to see more of these international videos in the future. And hopefully a with a Jimny lol

suzuki had left north ameican market for about a decade, but you can still find alot of old suzuki on the road...

The best review I have seen of the Vitara by far, and I've seen quite a few.Thanks Alex, another sub from the UK.

We get vitara in Australia. The standout about the vitara is its weight Ours is made in japan. It's been on the market for a number of years. The middle blank vent is for a clock (analog) I rented one in The Cook Islands with the base 1.6L and 6 speed auto. Because of its low weight it was quite peppy. Nice to drive. The Australian 1.4l turbo version has 140hp without mild hybrid and a 6 speed auto. With or without awd. BTW.. Iceland is a fantastic place to visit.

The ring on a manual is a critical thing. As in the heat of the things you can switch from 5th to R while going 80+ mph. It is even better than push shifter down for rear gear, actually for the same reason. Driver might push a bit harder and get R. Edit: Back in the day in Ukraine, we called Vitara a "Fridge with wheels" because it had a fridge style rear hatch door (like in those old appliance models) and it was not going fast anywhere when significantly loaded :)

The rear parcel shelf can be removed and stowed in the concealed boot department above the spare wheel, it’s really good idea IMO

Sir Alex, firstly its refreshing to see Americans review nowadays Suzuki vehicles(if you guys saw the stuff they have in India and the Asia Pacific Region it would blow your mind what you can get for the money). Few things though, first that blank spot in the dashboard with the Suzuki logo is actually a placeholder for a Analog Clock akin to what you would find on luxury vehicles(you can even get custom ones that use Kanji for instance).Also Suzuki doesnt use dual clutch transmissions, they use Torque Converter automatics(between 4-6 speeds) manual transmissions(5-6 speeds),CVT's and Automated Manual Transmissions(5-6 speeds) which is what is found on the Vitara full Hybrid.The transmissions they use arent the fanciest but they get the job done in terms of fuel economy and reliability.

I love these European review, I remember the one you did with a Captur last year. I wish you could test a Dacia Duster too, the cheapest option in the middle-size SUV segment in Europe !

I owe a 1400 turbo allgrip automatic non hybrid. Brilliant all rounder, very fast, very good economy at 5-6 l/100 km so all i need in the Netherlands. We do not have space for huge pick-ups.

Square cup holders are more adaptive. Still hold cups, but also hold increasingly larger phones etc.

that area is beyond beautiful.. look out for trolls

Line keep assist and other safety equipment and systems are mandatory in Europe for safe drive no matter of trim level

Very European? 😅 Most likely very "rest of the world" except USA 😅😅

I need a Jimny in my life. Come back to America Suzuki ! I beg you! We love our Grand Vitara!

Just to correct you, the Vitara full hybrid does not have a dual clutch transmission, instead it has a single clutch automated manual transmission.

Beautiful country, beautiful car Thanks so much for this review

I would pay ungodly amounts to get this in the US. Saab, Suzuki and Isuzu are my favorite brands...

The AWD software logic in this Suzuki is excellent. This is a very capable little thing. Obviously not an overlander :)

Attention all automakers building cars in North America, If you want to save the internal combustion engine and save the manuals both at the same time and still want to use mild hybrid technology, this is exactly how to do it even with enthusiast-based high-performance vehicles. Thanks.

2:10 Those Lupine flowers on the edge of the road are beautiful :)

tow rating is 1200 KG, not lbs - that's 2545 lbs US tow ratings are a farce to force people into big profitable trucks

You should def check out some new Peugeots, Renaults, Cupras, VWs and Škodas that aren't sold in the US

As a European, I'd call this a medium sized car. There's nothing teeny nor tiny about it 😆

People complain cars are too expensive then screech when they see only the slightest bit of hard plastic smh. 🤦

The 1.4 boosterjet mild hybrid auto is a nippy suv.

That thing is the perfect size, we need something like this, (or the Jimny) in the US. Every model year increases in size with no new subcompacts being created.

They used to sell Suzuki Vitara's and Grand Vitara's in Canada. I really liked Suzukis. They were solid, basic vehicles.

All the way back in 2004 I purchased a Suzuki Forenza sedan. It wasn’t a great car but it was my first new car in over 20 years.

My parents bought this car (S-Cross - basically the same car with different details) and I must say even through I do not like SUVs, I am impressed by what you get for your money and really good fuel consumption. Sure, there are a lot of cheaper materials, abysmal, unreliable infotainment (with Android/Apple auto connectivity), but other than that consumption is great, 4x4 version was dirt cheap, there is a ton of room. Not a car for me - SUV with manual transition, but IMHO it gets pretty much everything right and when you are looking for budget 4x4, you will hardly find a better alternative.

That view is breathtaking! Also, this car seems to be very well equipped for the price.

Air vents for rear passengers are quite the luxury feature. You'll see it in BMWs or bigger SUVs for example.

Suzuki Swift Sport has the same drivetrain and wieghs only 2200 lbs :)

Good to see Suzuki doing well for itself after our breakup. Happy for them 🙌 How does a start/stop system work in a manual?

I've seen several Jimny's when in San Diego. They come up from Mexico where they are sold.

Awesome video! Loved seeing a non-US market vehicle

The Icelandic setting (with those flowering plants alongside the gravel roadway, and mountains in the background) is lovely. The Suzuki Vitara would be a bargain at $16k.

Dear Toyota (because Toyota owns about 20% of Suzuki), please sell this in other markets, especially the US.

Please try Duster. Made by Dacia. Try Citroen, Peugeot

I enjoyed this review, so much more interesting than another North American CUV entry. This vehicle interior is almost right out of the 90’s, very practical. I would buy this for $16k if it was available in the US because new car prices are ridiculous.

Alex, I Have Been watching you since Day 1, another solid video production as always love the scenery Iceland’s high on my places to go in the future. I wounder how my 22 Santa Cruz with the 2.5=Turbo would handle on those narrow roads.

I was a fan of this car since it was presented on the market with unbeatable 4wd basic price.. everything still ok, though price went up with hybrid and safety, just suspension is a let down - not comfortable enough compared to other modern cars..

Would this sell in America?

You know what it looks like from a pillar back to c pillar it looks very very related to the Mitsubishi Outlander Sport !

I'm also on the other side of the globe and they have Suzuki Ertiga Hybrid over here.

The US had the Grand Vitara

Alex, Will you also be driving a Suzuki Swace or Suzuki Across?

Wow😮the scenery . And I don’t usually look at scenery in car reviews . Nice car😊

Beautiful scenery 👌

How great is lumbar support? I've never seen it in any vehicle I was in.

Alex, are working or vacationing? Most of us in the U.S. would say, “I’m not gonna work on my day off”… lol. Enjoy your videos as always.

u say 15k? BRING THEM HERE SUZUKI

Cute lil car. Enjoyed the scenic drive. Please take some trees to plant next time you go. 🤣 While you were bundled up were the locals in t-shirts?

Great review! I'd love to see you reviewing some of those Renaults and Citroens they have over there. Perhaps you can take some more vacations as business expenses? On another nite, you go somewhere for a summer vacation that has snow on the ground!?!

I loved this run and gun style video shooting!

EPA is still the best test cycle. It's a shame we didn't adopt it when NEDC was dumped.

Dang I really need to go to Iceland once.

I have fond memories of my 2001 Vitara/Tracker ZR2

I drove a Grand Vitara in Taiwan, what a capable car.

Alex did you just said that the Suzuki vitara never had been sold in North America/ united state the I hear that correctly?

Those views are breathtaking!

Alex , I miss Suzuki!!! I’ve always wanted to go to Iceland ! Is it beautiful

Suzuki decided to go much smaller with this generation than the previous one which is unusual in the industry

Nice video. Testing some interesting EVs not available in US if possible 😀

Sorry you couldn't rent your Jimny, but this review is still cool to see!

What is the name of the scenic road you were driving on? It is absolutely breathtaking.

11:03 Maybe next time you can review a Duster Duster like that one.

Alex come to India. Many new vehicles are exclusive to Asia Pacific region 👍🏻

EVs also use 12V batteries actually.

The mismatched front bumper cover color is a nice touch.

Suzuki makes the most reliable best cars. Toyota bought a portion of them to up there reliability

This must be as out of place in the US as a RAM 1500 is in Europe.

Where in Iceland are you? I'm planning on visiting there next year and never been out of the USA before

In Italy the VAT aka IVA and title is never included in the price.

the new vitara brezza already came out . it looks cool

Iceland looks so beautiful.

Rental review channel coming, Alex?

Hey Alex, did you remember to get your phone off of the right windshield wiper?

This is a really cool video! Although Iceland is probably the least European country in Europe. 😂 It's just so dreamy and magical.

I’ll be happy with a manual AWD Honda CR-V

Adaptive cruise control was a surprise. 😮

Honestly I like it !

This is almost identical to the Mitsubishi Outlander Sport. Seemingly the same size

Alex on a busman’s holiday!!!

I like the way you introduce Americans to the size of vehicles that are used in the vast majority of the world. Some more or less equipped, but definitely far from the size of what an American considers "normal". Especially in times of high gas prices.

60fps Alex!

Alex, if you would have attended an European driving school (which is mandatory in Europe) you would have learned that free wheeling is something you never want to do because its very dangerous, the same reason why you wouldn’t put a automatic transmission in neutral while coming to a stop at a red light. I see to many from the states doing that and being lazy its not an excuse, always downshift or if you want to be “lazy“ just pull the clutch but leave in in gear so you will always have some form of control, it will also help you on the long run with the wear of the break pads, I’m NOT criticizing you please believe me, just putting my 2 cents 😂.