The Suzuki Vitara is one of the most popular four-wheel drives on the market today.
With great 4×4 capabilities, a five-star ANCAP safety rating, radar brake support, cruise control, and an advanced navigation system, the new Vitara certainly ticks all the right boxes!
But what made the original 1988 model so popular? We take a look at the little battler 4WD from inception to present-day:
Suzuki Vitara History
Suzuki pioneered the ‘compact SUV’ before the market was even defined. The first model, a two-door convertible with a 1.6 litre engine, was released in 1988 and was an instant hit. So popular it was, that by the time it reached Australia in the early 90s, it had legions of fans and was somewhat of a ‘style accessory’.
Why was the Suzuki Vitara so popular?
Though the original Vitara was obviously an off-roader, the new SUV offered a lighter, more stylish alternative to the Japanese heavyweights — the Nissan Patrol and the Toyota LandCruiser. At a time when most SUV’s were still cruising around with leaf springs, the Suzuki Vitara burst onto the scene with coil springs and a fun sporty aesthetic that appealed to the “new millennial generation”.
The start of the ‘Suzuki Club’
Perfectly timed with a huge boom in off-roading (and partly due to its low cost and cool aesthetic), the Suzuki Vitara soon became a favourite among car enthusiasts, adrenaline junkies, and outdoor-adventure folk. People started modifying their Vitaras and adding custom lights, body styling, suspension upgrades, dashcams, alloy wheels, internal engine upgrades, mudguards, sports exhausts, and more.
(Image via moibbk)
(Image via Jimnybits)
There was also an explosion of online forums, clubs, and groups that allowed Vitara owners to swap ‘battle stories’, share photos, and provide advice on the best engines to use, off-roading tracks to visit, and modifications to do on the weekend. A real ‘boys club’ was born and it’s popularity has remained ever since.
Some current Vitara forums that you might like to check out include:
Crazy YouTube Videos
From Vitaras climbing muddy inclines to Vitaras scaling saltwater rock pools and deep water dams, you can find Suzuki Vitaras doing just about everything on YouTube. Here are some of our favourites:
Are you looking to transport your Suzuki Vitara, truck, bus, caravan, or boat to another state? Contact Door to Door Car Carrying today to find out how we can help you!
