√2023 Suzuki Vitara price and specs: Shadow edition added

The Suzuki Vitara small SUV is now available as a ‘Shadow’ black edition. It costs $4500 more than the regular model – which is 26 per cent dearer than it was four years ago.

2023 Suzuki Vitara pricing and specifications
Shadow black-edition model added for $4500 extra
Non-turbo and turbo engines available; advanced safety on Turbo only
Priced from $31,990 drive-away

Vitara Turbo Shadow pictured in yellow, Vitara Shadow non-turbo in white.

The 2023 Suzuki Vitara small SUV has gained a new blacked-out Shadow edition as the current model approaches the end of its model cycle to make way for a new generation in 2024 or 2025.

The Vitara is the second Suzuki model to receive the Shadow treatment – after the Ignis and Baleno city hatchback – and is believed to be a permanent member of the range, as with the Ignis Shadow.

Drive understands a Swift Shadow is due later this year to complete the Shadow model range.

Unlike the other Shadow-edition models, there are two versions of the Vitara Shadow: a cheaper version based on the base-model 1.6-litre Vitara automatic, and a Turbo Shadow variant built on the front-wheel-drive 1.4-litre Vitara Turbo.

The base Vitara Shadow non-turbo is priced from $37,990 drive-away, while the Vitara Turbo Shadow costs $42,990 drive-away – $4500 more than the variants on which they are based.

Both models aim to justify the price premium with black 17-inch alloy wheels, black front bumper and grille inserts, black side decals, and a black rear roof spoiler (though the standard model’s silver roof rails are deleted).

Prices for standard Suzuki Vitara models have risen by an average of 26 per cent over the past four years – even though no new standard features have been added (aside from a longer warranty and service intervals).

MORE: The new cars beating price rises – and those hardest hit

Suzuki Vitara Turbo pictured with the 7.0-inch touchscreen.

The base Vitara manual was priced from $22,490 plus on-road costs at the start of 2019 – compared to $29,990 plus on-road costs or $31,990 drive-away today, after a $2500 plus on-road costs/$3000 drive-away price hike in September 2022.

Cheaper Suzuki Vitara models are powered by a 1.6-litre non-turbo four-cylinder petrol engine with 86kW and 156Nm, available with a five-speed manual or six-speed auto ($2500 extra) in the base model, or the six-speed auto as standard in the Shadow.

Meanwhile, Turbo versions use a 1.4-litre turbocharged four-cylinder ‘Boosterjet’ petrol engine developing 103kW and 220Nm, paired with a six-speed automatic transmission.

Front-wheel drive is standard in all models, with all-wheel drive available as an option in the standard Vitara Turbo – though its $4500 price premium also includes a panoramic sunroof.

Claimed fuel consumption is listed as 5.8 litres per 100 kilometres in the 1.6-litre manual base model, 6.0L/100km in the 1.6-litre automatic, 5.9L/100km in front-wheel-drive Turbo variants, and 6.2L/100km in the all-wheel-drive Turbo AllGrip.

Standard features in the base Vitara include 17-inch alloy wheels, reversing camera, four-speaker stereo, cloth seats, automatic air conditioning, proximity-key entry and start, cruise control and seven airbags.

Suzuki’s website shows a 9.0-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto – fitted in Australia between the port and dealership – is standard, though the Vitara is expected to soon return to a smaller 7.0-inch screen fitted by Suzuki in Japan, with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and in-built satellite navigation.

However, autonomous emergency braking is only available from the $38,490 drive-away Vitara Turbo up – even though it is fitted as standard to other new cars half the price, from city hatchbacks to work utes.

The Turbo is also the first variant to add blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, adaptive cruise control and a lane assist system (lane departure warning) – as well as dusk-sensing LED headlights, parking sensors, rain-sensing wipers, and leather-look and suede seats.

A full list of standard equipment – as well as the colours available – is included at the bottom of this story.

The Shadow may be one of the final additions to the current-generation Vitara range as it is now seven years old – and nearing replacement by an all-new model (though when it is due is unclear).

The 2023 Suzuki Vitara range is on sale now.

2023 Suzuki Vitara Australian pricing

Vitara manual – $31,990 drive-away
Vitara auto – $33,490 drive-away
Vitara Shadow auto – $37,990 drive-away
Vitara Turbo FWD auto – $38,490 drive-away
Vitara Turbo Shadow FWD auto – $42,990 drive-away
Vitara Turbo AllGrip AWD auto – $42,990 drive-away

Note: All prices above [exclude on-road costs / are drive-away].

2023 Suzuki Vitara standard features:

1.6-litre petrol engine with five-speed manual or six-speed automatic transmission
17-inch alloy wheels with space-saver spare
Halogen headlights
9.0-inch infotainment touchscreen with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Bluetooth
Reversing camera
4.2-inch instrument cluster display
Four-speaker sound system
Fabric seat upholstery
Leather-trimmed steering wheel
Height-adjustable driver’s seat
60:40 split-folding rear seats
Keyless (proximity key) entry and start
Automatic climate-control air conditioning
Power-adjustable side mirrors
Power windows and door locks
Front fog lights
Roof rails
Rear privacy glass
Seven airbags, including driver’s knee airbag
Cruise control
Hill hold assist