Comments: 1-15, 16-19
Absolutely nothing.
This is a cute 4x4 which is descended from that out-and-out offroader, Suzuki's SJ410.
The good news is that it looks sporty even at the ripe old age of 10, is absolutely reliable (we've not had a single fault with ours in the 10 years and 100k+ kilometres we've had it) and it's immensely strong, having it's own ladder chassis rather than depending on its bodyshell for rigidity.
As with most 4x4s, you sit much higher off the ground than you would in a normal car and the Vitara's huge windows make for excellent visibility all round... if you can't see it, it's not there.
The cabin is comfortable, at least for the front occupants. The rear is not a place to spend any real length of time. The rear seats are situated directly above the rear wheels, pretty cramped and not very well padded, making any journey over any less-than-perfectly-smooth surface something to be attempted only by the most adept yogis.
Boot space with the rear seats unfolded-away is matched only by the Ferrari 208/308/328 in its titchiness. Fold them away and you have the sort of space usually associated with a mid sized saloon. For these reasons I'd class the Vitara JLX as a strict 2+2, the rear seats being there only for "last ditch" purposes.
And now the bad news. The engine appears to be something out of the 1960s for its noise, performance and voracious thirst. 0 to 100 time is in the order of 17 seconds or so with a top speed of 140 km/h... if you can bear the almighty racket the engine produces at anything over 90 km/h... 80 to 110 km/h times are something best not discussed. All this for a fuel consumption figure of about 20 mpg urban and 28 mpg motorway driving.
Handling is par for the course, with mild understeer progressing quite rapidly to oversteer as the car is pushed. However, beware the absence of a differential and the live axle rear suspension. This car will swap ends VERY easily if anything beyond the gentlest acceleration is attempted on wet roads with the steering at any significant degree of lock. At speed, this couples with the short and stubby chassis, non-communicative power steering and the almost non-existent midrange engine torque to create a very "losable" car which is very difficult to get back once the tail has stepped out. On this point alone, the car should carry a government health warning.
A few other faults are non-wideangle door mirrors, a ludicrously small petrol tank given the thirsty engine, insane spare part prices, very poor ride comfort by roadcar standards, a tinny bodyshell and tail-light lenses that craze even with modest exposure to sunlight.
Offroad, this car is very competent due to the light weight, strong construction and decent low-end torque but is again severely handicapped by the lack of range due to the engine/fuel capacity combination.
Overall, a good spare or fun car or something you'd take to the supermarket due to the reliability and space (without the 2 rear seats), but definitely not something to be used daily by those without very, very deep pockets.
A very fair review. I experienced an end for end skid in hard packed snow at around 5 KPH. It was absolutely impossible to control even tho' I had all the time in the world, fortunately there was no harm done, but it does underline the fact that the general road holding is infinitely worse than any conventional two wheel drive car. It may be that the road holding would be improved with a half decent set of tyres.
I love my vitara!!!
I have the same model from the same year. This comments are very accurate, but I want to add something: beware of the hard top model. At more than 80 km/h, there's a unbearable noise of the air resistance, just in front of your ears. Think of it if you want this version of the Vitara.
Thanks for the advice about the noise. I bought a 1991 model today on impulse and have been driving round this afternoon wondering where the noise is coming from. Now I know that engine and air noise is a trait of this vehicle I'm not so concerned!
Try the later 16 valve engine - much smoother, livelier and responsive, and improved mpg. Unless you want the 'image' of the swb I would also recommend the lwb 5-door, an altogether different car!
Erratum:-
I wrote this review a little over 2 years ago, but have since failed to point out that the Vitara does in fact HAVE a differential.
The losable tail end is attributable to the weight distribution of the car (almost all of it in front with very little of it to press the rear tyres against the road) and the short stubby chassis lack of midrange torque etc etc etc.
My most profound apologies for this error.
1. Definitley go for the LWB. More stable, much smoother power transfer compared to the 8v & more 'usable' unit.
2. Several sacks of coal or a St. Bernard in the boot.
Pretty fair comment.
Tho of course it has a diff. All cars have.
If you drive it through snow, slippery surface etc, use the 4H! that's what it's there for. it'll stay on track like a train. And guys, please take it off-road. that's what it's made for. its not a city car and it's not meant to be driven 1k highway-miles a day.
I am the proud owner of a vitara 1.6 JLX, and I request assistance.
I need a copy (picture) of the label that is located near the gears inside copkit.
It is a big aluminium foil with all the details about the use of the 4x4 etc.
I desperatelly need to see a copy,as I have no idea how to switch gears, (I have the Auto gearboox)
Any help anyone?
Pleasee forwrd answers to g_soilis@hotmail.com
I own a 1990 Vitara jlx 1600 engine and have owned it for the last 4 years and I have found a bad fault in the engine. The problem is in the block, it sometimes cracks from cylinder to cylinder and water gets in the engine and it is destroyed. It has happened twice to me. I love the car. It is a great in snow and any other off road action. I live in Iceland so there is lot of snow in winter. If some of you think the car is not stable in snow, just put bigger tyers under it... problem solved 31" and up to 33" tires is what I use in snow on the car, they work great... no slipping or sliding just rides nice. Does anyone know if I can use any other engine in the car not made by Suzuki? Thanks
Johnny.
My uncle have a 1991 Vitara 1.6 manual soft-top and I can tell you that it is very good car although it is not meant for speed. he tested it by going up a roughly 45 Deg Slope and of course the 2WD could not go up and spinned the wheels then he change to 4WD and it could go up, quite a lot of power for a old car you know. Io the road the Vitara has quite good torque around 4000rpm and it could reach 80km/h easily.
What an Amazing review, very accurate and well written.
Firstly to the comment suggesting the 16Valve motor was far superior to the standard 80hp unit, I agree only for peak torque. You don't get that powerful bottom end and midrange power you get with the 8valve.
Secondly the car is great, I've got a mint condition 3dr 93 vitara JLX hardtop I bought a month ago, gas milledge isn't amazing, but considerably better than other SUV's. Sometimes I like the peppy engine other times I feel it's a gutless wonder. Main issue I have with this car is the body lean and resulting lack of confidence I have to drive this car in corners at speed or accelerating. Just wondering what others have done if they addressed this problem. Its better than the samuri as far as propensity to tip is concerned, but not as stable as id like.
For a little more stability, just add some wheel spacers. And of course it'll lose control easily in 2WD. I totaled a 97 Tracker (brother of the Vitara) because I was too lazy to get out and lock the manual hubs. I'd still have that dear car today if I wouldn't have been so darn lazy. Lesson learned... I now have a Suzuki X-90 with auto locking hubs :) The same chassis and parts of a Vitara/Tracker/Sidekick, but it looks cooler! But duh, if you don't want to lose control, kick it into 4! Get over the fact it's not a sports car and corner slower. Get some wheel spacers if you're worried. And you foreigners amuse me, complaining about 20 to 28 mpg!!! By US Standards that's pretty good (sadly)! Especially for a 4x4. In fact, the Vitaras/Trackers/Sidekicks have mileage that easily competes with sedans, and even some larger coupes! So quit whining. Oh, one last thing to the reviewer... You sounded knowledgeable on your car until you stated it has no differential. I see you later corrected it, but be careful what you say as fact when you actually are not certain. People that do those sort of things cause a lot of trouble, albeit unintentionally. If you don't know what you're talking about, shut your mouth. Best to be thought of as a fool while silent than to open your mouth and prove it!
I currently drive the 1991 Vitara, which seems to be a good all round 4X4. I have had a few problems with mine, but it also get driven very hard. I have blown a motor snapped a couple of axles, and have just stuffed the front locking hubs. All of which have been relatively cheap to fix compared to most SUV or similar. But other than that I fine this to be a very handy 4X4, that is also very strong.
As for the top speed, fuel consumption and overall handling, I actually found this to be quite good, If you want something that goes fast and handles well you buy a sports car, If you want some that is cheap to run you buy a Corolla, but if you want a hack that you can have fun in, go bashing thru the bush, or crossing rivers in, then you buy a Suzuki.
Also due to the back end being easy to throw around, it makes it a lot easier to get places most bigger 4X4 will never go. Places like the small tight twist goat tracks or creeks.
Control is in the drive not the vehicle. It is not a shopping trolley or a Go cart. But does what it was made for very well. Over all I am very happy with my Vitara.
I have owned a 1990 Vitara JLX Soft-top for a year now. It is my first car and I love it. I could never be attracted to a car with no personality, I like to hear the engine and feel like driving is an active thing.. not something to be done by an auto-pilot! For these reasons it is the perfect car for me, and I am able to forgive the lack of comfort and the noise. I've driven about 15000km in it and it currently has almost 250000km on the clock. I did have to get the auto-transmission overhauled as it had trouble changing gear when cold. The problem turned out to be some tired rubber seals and I've had no issues since they were replaced. I have not seen any rust on the car despite some paint chips on the corners, and the only damage in the interior is that the plastic around the steering wheel has faded and started to break down. Over all I think it looks pretty damn good for a 16 y/o car and I look forward too many more years with her :)