The new Vitara meets contemporary demand for great fuel economy. Weight-saving measures including extensive use of high-tensile steel make the body outstandingly light and rigid. Powertrain technologies including a newly developed six-speed automatic transmission also save fuel. The new Vitara with two-wheel drive and a five-speed manual transmission has CO2 emissions of just 123g/km.

The exterior of this Vitara expresses Suzuki's SUV styling heritage in a strong-looking design. A clamshell bonnet (a hallmark of the Vitara series) gives the front end a look of solidity, and a trapezoid-motif front bumper indicates a powerful grip on the ground. Kicked-up body-side character lines and bonnet-side air outlets form motifs from the first-generation Vitara. As for the interior, the Vitara comprises a U-shaped design around the shift lever communicate SUV toughness. A round clock and air outlets, which are both motifs of the Grand Vitara, give the interior a youthful, sporty look.

The Suzuki Vitara is equipped with two engines: a 1.6-litre petrol and diesel, both producing 115bhp. Along with the petrol option, friction reductions combine with weight savings in the engine and related components to realize superior fuel economy together with high output and torque.