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Photo: Vauxford, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Used Suzuki Vitara IV: the buying guide

SUV · since 2015 · Petrol, Diesel, Hybrid

✓ 24 sources cited · updated on 13 October 2026

Buy with care
Reliability
not rated
No documented fault
Estimated monthly cost
€421/month
Indicative prices
€10,100 – €24,600

4 known faults

Photo: Vauxford, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Photo 1 of 5

Suzuki Vitara IV, front three-quarter view

Photo: Vauxford, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Verdict

Buy with care

Compact SUV rated 5 stars by Euro NCAP in 2015, ranked 9th out of 22 small SUVs in the 2023 What Car? reliability survey. The sources do not report any recurring mechanical fault, but several safety recalls have affected it (rear axle 2015, brake pipe 2023, power steering 2024): have a dealer check, using the VIN, that the campaigns have been carried out.

Reliability
not rated
Indicative prices
€10,100 – €24,600
Monthly cost
€421
Euro NCAP
5/5

Which version to choose

Versions to favour: 1.6 VVT 120, 1.4 Boosterjet 140, 1.5 Dualjet Hybrid 115.

  • 1.6 VVT 120

    ✓ Recommended

    Petrol · Manual · 120 hp · 5.3 L/100 km · 123 g CO₂/km · Crit'Air 1

    Naturally aspirated 1.6 petrol with 156 Nm, 5-speed manual gearbox; replaced by the 1.0 Boosterjet according to Fiches-auto.

  • 1.0 Boosterjet 111

    Petrol · Manual · 111 hp · Crit'Air 1

    Turbocharged three-cylinder petrol with 170 Nm, 5-speed manual gearbox; replaces the 1.6 VVT.

  • 1.4 Boosterjet 140

    ✓ Recommended

    Petrol · Manual · 140 hp · Crit'Air 1

    Turbo petrol with 220 Nm, 6-speed manual gearbox; also available with a torque converter automatic (Fiches-auto).

  • 1.6 DDiS 120

    Diesel · Manual · 120 hp · Crit'Air 2

    1.6 diesel with 320 Nm, 6-speed gearbox. Diesels disappeared from the range with the 2018 facelift (Fiches-auto).

  • 1.4 Boosterjet Hybrid 129

    Hybrid · Manual · 129 hp · Crit'Air 1

    1.4 turbo petrol with 48 V mild hybrid, 235 Nm, sold with a 6-speed manual gearbox on the cars we found. Automatic gearbox not confirmed by our sources.

  • 1.5 Dualjet Hybrid 115

    ✓ Recommended

    Hybrid · Automatic · 115 hp · Crit'Air 1

    Full hybrid with a naturally aspirated 1.5 of 102 hp combined with a 33 hp electric motor (115 hp combined), 6-speed AGS automated gearbox. Boot quoted at 289 L minimum (Caradisiac).

Market prices

€10,100 – €24,600

Indicative range: 2015 to 2026, yearly medians of 875 online listings collected by iAutos (years with at least 3 listings).

Collected on 20 October 2026 from the sources below. Our own survey of listings, by year and mileage, will refine it.

Known faults

Uncoated rear axle bolts (2015 recall)

Manufacturer recall

A European recall concerns Vitara cars built between 29 October and 17 December 2015: the anti-friction coating on the rear axle bolts may not have been applied. The bolts could work loose, come off or break, which could make the vehicle unusable. A dealer inspects it and fits a replacement part.

Fixed free of charge by a dealer and not counted in the reliability score: ask for proof the work was done (invoice, or a VIN check at a dealer).

Versions
1.6 VVT 120, 1.4 Boosterjet 140, 1.6 DDiS 120
Onset
not documented
Repair
not documented

Power steering ECU fault (2024 recall)

Manufacturer recall

KBA recall (ref. 15521R) on about 15,890 model-year 2024 Vitara and SX4 S-Cross cars: the power steering ECU may wrongly detect a fault and cut the assistance. The fix is a software update at an approved workshop. According to the KBA, no damage is known.

Fixed free of charge by a dealer and not counted in the reliability score: ask for proof the work was done (invoice, or a VIN check at a dealer).

Versions
1.4 Boosterjet Hybrid 129, 1.5 Dualjet Hybrid 115
Onset
not documented
Repair
not documented

Rear brake pipe damaged during assembly (2023 recall)

Manufacturer recall

Recall (campaign 97-DP) on 4,878 Vitara and SX4 S-Cross cars built in 2023: a brake pipe may have been damaged during assembly, with a risk of fluid leakage and reduced braking. The dealer inspects the pipe and replaces it if necessary.

Fixed free of charge by a dealer and not counted in the reliability score: ask for proof the work was done (invoice, or a VIN check at a dealer).

Versions
1.4 Boosterjet Hybrid 129, 1.5 Dualjet Hybrid 115
Onset
not documented
Repair
not documented

Faulty canister (activated carbon tank) (2019-2024 recall)

Manufacturer recall

Recall (Suzuki code 97DQ, KBA ref. 14085R) on petrol Vitara and S-Cross cars built from 2019 to 2024, about 30,000 in France: the activated carbon in the canister may be incorrectly filled and let fuel vapours escape. The manufacturer's notice states that this defect does not immobilise the vehicle and does not create an immediate danger. The canister is replaced at a workshop.

Fixed free of charge by a dealer and not counted in the reliability score: ask for proof the work was done (invoice, or a VIN check at a dealer).

Versions
1.0 Boosterjet 111, 1.4 Boosterjet 140, 1.4 Boosterjet Hybrid 129, 1.5 Dualjet Hybrid 115
Onset
not documented
Repair
not documented

All faults by version and mileage →

Manufacturer recalls

See the official list on RappelConso (new tab) (French government recall site: category “Automobiles et moyens de déplacement”, search “Suzuki Vitara”). A dealer for the brand can also check, using the vehicle identification number (VIN), that recalls have been carried out.

Real monthly cost

Fuel, insurance, maintenance and depreciation, excluding finance. Move the slider to match your mileage. How it is calculated

Monthly cost by item
Fuel or electricity€130
Insurance€58
Maintenance€33
Depreciation€200
Total per month€421

⚠ Estimates to treat with caution

  • NEDC consumption (older, more optimistic than WLTP) as no WLTP figure is published: fuel is probably slightly underestimated.
  • Depreciation estimated at 12% of the median price a year, as no year-by-year valuation is usable.
Calculation details (12,000 km a year)
Fuel (petrol)€130

1.6 VVT 120 version: combined consumption of 5.3 L/100 km, increased by 15% for real-world driving, at 2.14 €/L, for 1,000 km a month.

5.3 × 1.15 × 2.14 € × 10 = €130

Petrol price (SP95-E10): French national average on 7 October 2026.

Insurance€58

Average monthly premium published for this model by insurance comparison sites (comprehensive cover when stated). Your premium depends on your profile.

Maintenance€33

Servicing and wear parts (tyres, brakes) for 12,000 km a year, per month.

Depreciation€200

Value lost in a year by a typical example, from the valuation gap between two years, per month.

Inspection checklist

Things to check

  • Have the dealer check, using the VIN, which recalls have been carried out: rear axle (2015), canister (2019-2024), brake pipe (2023), power steering (2024).
  • On a late-2015 car, ask for proof that the rear axle bolts were inspected.
  • Test the electronics (warning lights, air conditioning): these are the minor faults cited by the sources on recent Vitara cars.
  • Test the gearbox: a sticking gear is reported by Who Can Fix My Car.
  • Check the wear of the running gear (suspension) on a road test.

Questions to ask the seller

  • Which Suzuki recall campaigns have been carried out on this car, and with what paperwork?
  • Is the service book complete and stamped?
  • Has any work been done under warranty on the electronics, steering or brakes?

Test-drive tip: read the fault codes

A warning light that is off proves nothing: a fault may have been cleared just before the viewing. A Bluetooth OBD2 scanner, plugged in under the steering wheel and read on your phone, shows stored codes and whether all emissions readiness tests have run since the last reset.

See OBD2 scanners on Amazon → (new tab)Partner link

Electric or hybrid equivalent

No direct electric or hybrid equivalent in our guides. Simulate combustion vs electric cost

Alternatives

Photo: (G)jabz, CC BY 4.0

Dacia Duster

II · 2018–2024

Buy with care
Price
€11,700 – €20,500
Reliability
not rated
Fuel types
Petrol, Diesel

Photo: Alexander-93, CC BY-SA 4.0

Toyota Yaris Cross

I · since 2021

Good choice
Price
€21,440 – €28,490
Reliability
not rated
Fuel types
Hybrid

Photo: Vauxford, CC BY-SA 4.0

Nissan Juke

II · since 2019

Buy with care
Price
€10,700 – €20,900
Reliability
not rated
Fuel types
Petrol, Hybrid

Photo: Vauxford, CC BY-SA 4.0

Kia Stonic

I · since 2017

Good choice, check first
Price
€10,300 – €19,900
Reliability
4.5/5
Fuel types
Petrol, Diesel, Hybrid

Before you buy: check and equip

Check the history

Before paying, check the administrative status (lien, objection, declared claims) and the mileage recorded at the roadworthiness test.

Read fault codes

An OBD scanner plugged in under the steering wheel shows stored fault codes, even with warning lights off: useful during the test drive.

Parts and maintenance

Compare prices of parts for the Suzuki Vitara IV (timing, brakes, filters) to estimate the repairs to plan for.

Insure the car

Insurance prices vary widely from one model to another: get a quote before signing.

Frequently asked questions

What Euro NCAP rating does the Suzuki Vitara have?

5 stars in 2015 (adults 89%, children 85%, pedestrians 76%, safety assist 75%), according to La Tribune Auto.

Is the Suzuki Vitara reliable?

It ranks 9th out of 22 small SUVs in the 2023 What Car? survey with 96.7%. The minor faults cited mainly concern the electronics, but several safety recalls exist: have a dealer check them.

What is the boot size of the Suzuki Vitara?

375 litres on the 2015 generation's data sheet. Caradisiac quotes 289 litres minimum for the 2022 full hybrid and 362 litres minimum for the 2024 version.

Found a listing?

Soon, we will analyse your Suzuki Vitara listing: price, mileage, watch points.

Get notified at launch