Should Suzuki PH offer Indian-made 2020 Vitara Brezza?
Maruti Suzuki launches the 2020 Vitara Brezza in India
Did you know that there are currently two kinds of Suzuki Vitaras available worldwide?
While we get the one that is made in Hungary, Maruti Suzuki of India has its own take on the B-segment crossover. It's called the Vitara Brezza, and while it might share a similar name with the one made in Hungary, it comes with its own unique design and features.
First revealed at the 2016 Delhi Auto Expo, the subcompact crossover has just received its first facelift for the 2020 model year. Not only does it get a bolder exterior, but the company also gave it a new engine, as well as some additional technologies here and there.
Starting with the most obvious, the 2020 Vitara Brezza gets a more aggressive front fascia. The single-bar grill from before has been replaced by a two-bar design finished in chrome. Meanwhile, the headlights have been redesigned and now feature LED daytime running lights. The rear almost looks the same as before, but Suzuki did tweak its taillights for a sportier finish. Finally, a new set of alloy wheels are now available for the 2020 Vitara Brezza that complement the crossover's sportier aesthetics.
Size-wise, the Vitara Brezza measures 3995mm long, making it shorter than the Vitara we get which comes in at 4175mm. However, the Brezza is wider and taller at 1790mm (+15) and 1640mm (+30) respectively, which could translate to a more spacious interior. Both the Indian and Hungarian-made Vitaras share a 2,500mm wheelbase.
While the exterior received noticeable changes, the interior of the Vitara Brezza relatively looks the same as before. The company did, however, install an upgraded touchscreen infotainment system. High-end models can come with navigation with live traffic updates, reverse camera display, voice control, and even Bluetooth connectivity.
Other key features available inside the refreshed crossover include a leather-wrapped steering wheel, automatic climate control, automatic headlights, cruise control, 60:40 split rear seats with center armrest, and push-button start.
Under the hood, the 1.3-liter turbo-diesel engine has been replaced by the 1.5-liter gasoline-powered K15. Like the Ertiga, the engine produces 105 PS along with 138 Nm of torque. Power is then transferred to the front wheels via a five-speed manual gearbox or a four-speed automatic transmission.
With Suzuki Philippines set to replace the GLX and GL+ variants in the future (due to it no longer being competitive with other brands), could this mean that the Vitara Brezza is a viable replacement for Hungarian-made Vitara?
