Story & photos by Ronald Rey M. de los Reyes
STAR Wars: The Last Jedi is currently showing in cinemas and is definitely making galactic waves. Hands down and without a doubt, I commend the creators of the epic masterpiece and even recommend it to every movie nut out there.
I must say that, just like George Lucas’s movie, another entity that has earned the respect of this scribe is the 2018 Suzuki Vitara.
The proverbial “force” was reawakened and felt last month during its recent launch and test-drive to Thunderbird Resort in Poro Point, La Union.
The Vitara has been around since its introduction in 1989, but this fourth-generation stunner offers something that is truly special. Dropping the “Grand” from its name, the more compact city-dweller is in for a rubber match against the Ford Ecosport, Mazda CX-3 and Nissan Juke. And I’m glad we were given more than 250 kilometers of road to test it on to see how it really fares with others in its class.
When we first arrived at the Suzuki dealership in Balintawak along Edsa, we were welcomed by a fleet of Atlantis Turquoise Pearl-colored, top-spec GLX Vitaras arrayed in front of the dealership. I instantly knew Suzuki was giving us a refreshing take on their product. Unlike the Vitara of old, this new one has a more youthful vibe, mixing both those sharp and round edges with flair. Broad headlights, stylish hood, bumper and two-bar grill give it a commanding presence. A two-tone scheme and 17-inch alloy wheels make it a true standout.
Inside, one is greeted by the standard “Suzuki” cabin. What’s standard among their vehicles is their top-notch ergonomics and practicality. I love the three-spoke steering wheel with buttons that allowed me to control the radio volume and switch to my favorite station without letting go of it.
Aside from the new panoramic sunroof, there is a 10-inch Android-based touchscreen infotainment system—probably the biggest in the segment or even the market—with AM/FM radio, USB, Aux, CD, SD, smartphone mirror-link, Wi-fi hot spot function, and preloaded apps like Waze, Facebook, Google Maps, Spotify and more.
The Vitara is powered by a 1.6-liter four-cylinder motor that produces 115 hp at 6,000 rpm and 156 Nm of torque at 4,400 rpm. I’ve driven other crossovers and I can say the Vitara deserves a place on the pedestal in terms of engine performance. Its slight lack of Noise Vibration Harshness (NVH) mitigation and interior aesthetics is made up for by its sheer speed, respectable power and exceptional agility, as well as a responsive six-speed automatic gearbox.
The more spirited and sporty drivers like me will like the steering wheel-mounted paddle shifters.
On tights and twists, this looker is peppy and a delight to maneuver, which is credited mainly to its car-like orientation.
What’s even more lovable about this new Vitara is that with all its quirks and amenities, it’s still competitively priced at P1.048 million for the top-spec variant and P938,000 for the mid-grade GL+.
As those familiar with lore, Jedis are members of a mystical, knightly order, who are trained to guard peace and justice in the universe. For me, however, they need not be swinging lightsabers or lifting rocks but they can be someone who or something that emanates a powerful force that exudes good. While the movie franchise tells of the last of their kind, the local industry narrates the beginning, or rather, the return of a Jedi-like wonder, one that would shake things up and, perhaps, even spark a new positive movement, or in this case, a new order.
Image credits: Ronald Rey M. de los Reyes