Suzuki Escudo for sale in Kenya

The first generation of the Escudo came out in 1988 and was available either as a two-door convertible or hardtop. There were two trims, which were the JX and JLX. There were eight engine options, and they included 1.6 liter G16a I4, 1.3-liter G12AI4, 1.6-liter G16B I4, 1.8-liter J16 I4, 2.0 liter H20A V6, 1.9 L XUD diesel I4, 2.0 L RF diesel I4 and 2.0 L HDi diesel I4. The 2.0 liter V6 and the 2.0-liter engines were added to the lineup in 1995 Suzuki at this time moved to a more aggressive exterior that year as well with a more prominent front fascia and fender. The transmission options include a 5-speed manual, 3-speed automatic, and a 4-speed automatic. The variations in the Vitara family at that time were quite diverse as they embraced both diesel and petrol engines with a wide range of displacement, short wheelbase van options, and a canvas top.

The second-generation Suzuki Escudo was released in November 1997. It was slightly bigger than the first generation. The engine options for the second generation include 1.6-liter G16B I4, 2.0 liter J20A I4, and 2.5 liter H25A V6, 2.0 liter RF / RFM I4, and 2.0-liter RHW / RHZ I4. There are two transmission alternatives, which are the 5-speed manual and 4-speed automatic. The second generation has a retooled exterior design. While inheriting the blister fender of its predecessors, the Escudo departed from attitude with the taut curvy exterior. Minor changes within the second generation included an overhaul of the interior as well. It was in step with what the market wanted at the time. Towards the end of the generation in 2001, the Grand Vitara XL7 debuted as a flagship model of the Escudo series. The iteration had a 2.7-liter V6 engine with a seven-seat, three-row configuration. It combined a bigger cabin with a full bore four-wheel-drive performance.

The production of the third generation was based on GM Theta. Though it is similar to GM Theta in some aspects, it was still a bit different. The third generation of the Escudo series kicked off with a sportier look and a slight increase in size. The design adopted a monocoque body with a built-in ladder frame. The mechanisms new to the Vitara series included full-time four-wheel drive and independent suspension, delivering enhanced comfort in a vehicle series key to Suzuki global auto strategy. Some of the available engine options for the third generation include 1.6-liter, 2.0 liter, 2.4-liter, 2.7-liter V6, and 3.2-liter V6 petrol options. There is a 1.9-liter option for diesel engines as well. The full-time four-wheel-drive system utilized a dial type switch allowing the driver to choose among the four modes. The traction control was also a bonus. The 4WD powerfully distributes drive force to the wheels in contact with the ground, thereby restraining the skidding and spinning from reinforcing the drive performance. After 2008, the car upgraded with a facelift and two engine options. One engine produced 164 hp while the other one can provide 221 hp. The fuel economy and safety attributes were also improved. The vehicle had more airbags, and traction control became the standard for all of the available models. The final facelift of the third generation was launched in 2013. There was a new grille, wheels, and front headlights.

For the fourth generation, they changed the model name from the Grand Vitara to the Vitara once more. There were personalization and advanced technology for the present customers to look forward to. When the fourth generation of the Vitara series was revealed to the public in 2014, it upheld the brand’s character with an authentic four-wheel drive and a crossover while considering advances from design to performance and safety, resulting in a fresh iteration. There were three engine options, which included the 1.0 L K10C Boosterjet I4 1.4 L K14C Boosterjet I4 and the 1.6 L M16A I4. There was a diesel Fiat 1.6 liter DDiS i4 option, as well as these, were linked to three transmission options, which included a 5-speed manual, 6-speed manual, and a 6-speed automatic. The Suzuki Escudo unveiled a new version of the model at the 2018 Paris motor show at its 30th anniversary. The changes to the car included a heightened front bumper to give space for the millimeter-wave radar at the front. A new chrome accent across the lower grille also shows the car’s enhanced refinement. Other improvements included soft padding above the instrument panel and a better quality feel. The multi-information display at the front was also replaced by a 4.2 inch LCD MID. The new upgraded Vitara now comes with preventive technology, which makes the drivers avoid accidents in a broader range of scenarios than with the past versions and supports peace of mind with everyday driving. The safety support systems adopted for the model included a collision guidance system, which is a dual brake sensor support package. There was a traffic sign sensor system, as well.

The chunky styling focuses on sharp lines and a few striking details. It is a solid looking SV with a bright two-bar grille that connects the headlights. There is a silver skid plate insert lower down in the bumper while this may be for cosmetic purposes rather than functional ones. The objective is to provide the Suzuki with a rugged look. The bright LED running lights also sit on each side of the fog-lights in recesses. They are there to accentuate the width of the vehicle. There are other design-related details like the cosmetic vents at the edges of the bonnet, and the lines which flow for sportiness. Interior wise there is a large central lock and a large seven-inch touchscreen, which is standard on the mid-range levels. The instrumentation is accessible and user-centric. The interiors have been refreshed with silver accents as well on the door pads, dashboard, and center console. Though, the emotional attachment to the switches is still present. These have carried over across models.

Suzuki claimed the Vitara aimed to make it drive like the Swift supermini, and it is not as far off as one would expect. The extra weight and high center of gravity do not change direction, and it rolls slightly more, though it clings to the road more eagerly when the driver increases their pace. The steering is described as relatively light though it still offers a lot of feels, and the Suzuki turns into corners with a lot of eagerness. The grip is also secure, and the body movement is well-contained in-spite of the tall stance of the car. The raised driving position and the light steering are what makes it great to drive around town though if one wants a Suzuki Escudo with the brands ALLGRIP four-wheel-drive system, then it is going to have to be the higher-spec 1.0 SZ-T or 1.4 SZ5 model. If the goal is for some light off-road use, the system is more than happy to oblige though it is not meant for the off-road use the older models were designed for. The new Escudo allows for four transmission settings, which as Auto, Sport, Snow and Lock. These change where the power is being sent. Auto refers to a two-wheel-drive setting, which is a fuel-saving mode when one is on the highway. Permanent four-wheel drive modes such as Snow and lock can help extricate the car from tricky terrain, and Sport is there to lend power to the rear tires when needed.

The entry-level Vitara comes available with a four-speaker audio system with DAB digital radio, USB/ Bluetooth for media streaming, a CD player, and steering wheel controls. The SZ-T and SZ5 models, though add a touch screen with sat-nav systems, mirror-link smartphone connectivity, and the SZ5, had a better quality of sound. The navigation screen can be a bit hard to view when there is a lot of sunlight, but the Escudo’s multimedia package is very slick to use and flicking through the different functions on board the Vitara is quite simple.

Suzuki traditionally has a reputation for some of the most durable cars. Following this, the Vitara earned the sixth position in the reliability category in the Driver Power satisfaction survey, beating some rivals like the Ford Kuga. All versions of the Suzuki Escudo have seven airbags, tire pressure monitoring, stability control, and adaptive cruise control along with autonomous braking on the SZ5 models. The collision warning system comes with two settings, which are near and far. In both of the modes, the buzzer is very sensitive as it may go off even before one has lifted off the accelerator safely. While it functions as a great safety attribute, it may be annoying on city streets.