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

48 V mild hybrids might not seem to make much sense in America, but they have a big impact on small the kind of small vehicles found in the rest of the world. Join me as I drive a manual transmission mild hybrid from Suzuki 1500 miles across Iceland.
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[@greentjmtl]

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.

[@patricklinkous]

LOL I had to tell my mom to turn the rear fog off in her Cayman because she was blinding me.

[@imnotusingmyrealname4566]

@@patricklinkous Most Porsche SUV drivers are women and most Porsche sports car drivers are men.

[@patricklinkous]

@@imnotusingmyrealname4566 Thanks for the information. My mom drives a Cayman, a 2 seat Porsche sports car.

[@imnotusingmyrealname4566]

@@patricklinkous Your mom's cool.

[@patricklinkous]

@@imnotusingmyrealname4566 I agree

[@nintendoatarikiller]

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

[@AAutoBuyersGuide]

My tax guy told me don’t even try it LOL

[@ATH_Berkshire]

@@AAutoBuyersGuide if you get a decent number of views I don’t see why not, but I’m not your tax professional.

[@TheMightyAgency]

@@AAutoBuyersGuide Then you need a new tax guy.

[@reuveng1960]

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.

[@212driller]

We have one with 250,000kms hasn't skipped a beat. Great vehicle.

[@VXAce]

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

[@bxvr214]

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

[@InvestBetter.]

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

[@ndg9367]

The first years of the Honda insight also had manual transmission too.

[@vaw2487]

The 1st gen Honda civic hybrid also had a manual transmission. Had no idea other manufacturers did manual hybrids, though I guess makes sense since Honda's IMA system was basically this system on steroids.

[@Austin-nx1kl]

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 👍

[@mgjmiller1995]

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!

[@steverobinson3900]

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.

[@cassiocm]

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

[@michaelcarroll9195]

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.

[@oceanzu6585]

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

[@VictorNoelCoryPaz]

Not all North American market. Suzuki is still being sold in Mexico (yes, Mexico is part of North America)

[@cmdrgunslinger5955]

I have a 2022... but it's a Busa. With more power than that CUV. LOL

[@taylornielsen1048]

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

[@damieg82]

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.

[@markmiller3279]

It's a rental car special, no doubt. We had a perfectly appalling Peugeot 207 in Tahiti a couple of years ago that I knew wouldn't pass muster as anything but a rental in Europe. No private buyer would settle for so little.

[@garrettw99]

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

[@colinhall8998]

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

[@mokisan]

I loved this run and gun style video shooting!

[@drive-channel1834]

Beautiful country, beautiful car Thanks so much for this review

[@TalismanPHX]

Beautiful scenery 👌

[@screenplayhouse4932]

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.

[@Josh-hv5ni]

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!

[@MattCC16Gaming]

Awesome video! Loved seeing a non-US market vehicle

[@ThePhotographyHobbyist]

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

[@etbadaboum]

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 !

[@stephenburnside9179]

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

[@evankatz2893]

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.

[@Levonuz]

Those views are breathtaking!

[@rjbiker66]

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.

[@zachtravers1]

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

[@scottrovner1370]

that area is beyond beautiful.. look out for trolls

[@DMX-du9mn]

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

[@mindfreeze0838]

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.

[@AbandonEarth911]

The 1.4 boosterjet mild hybrid auto is a nippy suv.

[@marshmallowpuff4899]

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

[@valdius85]

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

[@andrewholland1390]

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

[@Coordinator61]

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.

[@tjs114]

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

[@kristians2704]

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

[@txdevops]

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 :)

[@AAutoBuyersGuide]

It’s not required, because you can gate the manual transmission so that this is not possible when you are moving forward. Tons of European cars use a gate instead of a ring, the ring is mainly required when reverse is on the left side because it is much easier to accidentally engage it when stopped instead of first year

[@txdevops]

@@AAutoBuyersGuide Yes, just read about it out of interest. For my liking, I would prefer gate and ring :)

[@212driller]

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

[@BTC909]

The mismatched front bumper cover color is a nice touch.

[@FantomLightning]

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

[@baronvonjo1929]

You picked the worst brands for a american cause you can't get them

[@FantomLightning]

@@baronvonjo1929 oh 100%. It's yet another reason why I hate being here in the US.

[@baronvonjo1929]

@@FantomLightning Definitely worst places to live. People immigrant here for a reason.

[@666chew]

Iceland looks so beautiful.

[@EchoSigma6]

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.

[@glennkennedy441]

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.

[@TobyMichaelPortableTechReview]

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.

[@garrettreven5144]

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

[@faeinthebay]

I believe it's usually triggered by the clutch pedal.

[@dennisdenise1]

Honestly I like it !

[@AmericanRoads]

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

[@jayhiggins5239]

I have fond memories of my 2001 Vitara/Tracker ZR2

[@dretech]

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

[@gabrielrogers2971]

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

[@cyrilthomas9730]

the new vitara brezza already came out . it looks cool

[@seanyab3813]

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.

[@imnotusingmyrealname4566]

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

[@markmiller3279]

It was only a few years ago in the US when they were only on the more expensive models. Now people whine when their cheap little crossover doesn't, even if they rarely use the rear seat.

[@faeinthebay]

@@markmiller3279 this seems like a family car where kids would often be in the rear seat. At the very least they should get the middle vent in the front, since it's a negligible amount of plastic.

[@adamm202]

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

[@Mgoblagulkablong]

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

[@japkoslav]

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.

[@rizzlerazzleuno4733]

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?

[@gabrielrogers2971]

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

[@Hoodean]

The US had the Grand Vitara

[@pondyellow3286]

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

[@Volta24]

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

[@antoinelee-thomas9536]

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.

[@imnotusingmyrealname4566]

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

[@imnotusingmyrealname4566]

Dang I really need to go to Iceland once.

[@h.billieli1563]

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

[@brenrob7403]

Saw tons of these in Costa Rica

[@kenc2257]

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.

[@robertduklus6555]

i have no idea where he got the under 16 k dollars price. base vitara like this one sells for 25 000 euros in germany and over 22 000 pounds in uk. Iceland is one of if not the most expensive countries in europe.

[@markmiller3279]

Yeah, those lupins are spectacular! Made me want to go, until you mentioned a whole week of rain.

[@rightlanehog3151]

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

[@newamsterdanm]

awesome

[@goostrey4210]

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!?!

[@bho6486]

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

[@212driller]

We love our Grand Vitara.

[@Noukz37]

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

[@666chew]

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

[@MistSoalar]

60fps Alex!

[@roblah9597]

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..

[@cmott8809]

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

[@zuti071]

Tax or VAT must be included on EU market. Licence plates, insurance and registration is never included.

[@LukeO-1234]

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

[@abunova2718]

Alex on a busman’s holiday!!!

[@afcgeo882]

Rental review channel coming, Alex?

[@mmjackk]

Oooh... Iceland...

[@OldThomMerton]

want one!

[@edgardoamado7008]

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

[@imnotusingmyrealname4566]

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

[@mtbrdude]

Unless you have back issues, you'd probably leave it set to a "default" setting.

[@kerronthomas9708]

Would this sell in America?

[@AttainingExcellence1]

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

[@pianoplayer2516]

Is this hybrid system similar to Honda’s Integrated Motor Assist?

[@damilolaakanni]

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

[@markmiller3279]

@@EpicDrew15 True. The Hyundai Venue hasn't exactly been selling in large numbers, and it's one of the closer competitors to this.

[@caliboyrob]

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

[@taelorwatson9822]

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

[@Tinrs80]

i want to go to Iceland lol its on my buck list

[@imnotusingmyrealname4566]

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

[@mavsguy842]

What would compete with this on practicality and price? Under $16k is pretty hard to come by in the US.

[@darkwarrior7356]

The closest competitors would be Kicks, Venue, and Versa by price. Possibly Trax under discounts. Renegade and Crosstrek for offroadiness however they’d be thousands of dollars more.

[@imnotusingmyrealname4566]

EVs also use 12V batteries actually.

[@SanthiratanMandyam]

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

[@ROBinJVILLE]

u say 15k? BRING THEM HERE SUZUKI

[@VictorNoelCoryPaz]

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

[@Mgoblagulkablong]

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

[@ATH_Berkshire]

I Europe people are willing to except that if you come to a long steep hill with the max weight trailer you will end up back at 25-30mph. But as long as the cooling is up to it why worry if it’s only an occasional thing in your part of the country.