Three Compact Suzuki Crossovers for Adventurous Off-Road Travel

Are you an off-road enthusiast seeking the perfect vehicle for your gravel adventure? Look no further, because I’ve got some great options for you. Today, I want to talk about three compact Suzuki crossovers that are perfect for taking on rugged terrain with style and comfort. Let’s dive in and explore the possibilities!

The Suzuki Jimny: A Capable and Versatile Companion

First up, we have the Suzuki Jimny – a compact SUV that’s known for its agility and versatility. Whether you’re traversing rocky trails or navigating through tight corners, the Jimny’s compact size and responsive handling make it the ultimate companion for your off-road escapades.

Featuring a robust four-wheel drive system and ample ground clearance, the Jimny can take on challenging terrain with confidence. Its lightweight body and sturdy construction give it the strength and durability needed to tackle any adventure that comes your way.

Inside, the Jimny offers a comfortable and well-equipped cabin. With its modern technology and thoughtful design, this crossover ensures you stay connected and enjoy every moment of your journey. The Jimny truly encapsulates the spirit of off-road travel in a compact package.

The Suzuki Vitara: Unleash Your Adventurous Spirit

If you’re looking for a crossover that combines style, versatility, and off-road capability, the Suzuki Vitara is the perfect choice. With its bold and distinctive design, the Vitara stands out in a crowd and exudes a sense of adventure.

Equipped with Suzuki’s ALLGRIP four-wheel drive system, the Vitara is ready to take on any terrain you throw at it. Whether you’re crossing muddy tracks or climbing steep hills, this crossover offers exceptional traction and stability to keep you in control.

Step inside the Vitara, and you’ll find a refined interior with premium materials and modern features. The spacious cabin provides ample room for both passengers and cargo, making it an excellent choice for those who value comfort and practicality.

With its dynamic performance and stylish design, the Vitara is the perfect companion for those who want to explore the world and unleash their adventurous spirit.

The Suzuki SX4 S-Cross: Conquer the Road Ahead

Lastly, we have the Suzuki SX4 S-Cross – a crossover that combines elegance, performance, and off-road capability. With its sleek and aerodynamic design, the SX4 S-Cross not only looks great but also delivers an exhilarating driving experience.

Powered by Suzuki’s powerful yet fuel-efficient engines, the SX4 S-Cross offers a perfect balance of performance and efficiency. Its advanced safety features ensure you stay protected, while its comfortable and well-appointed interior enhances the overall driving experience.

When it comes to off-road capability, the SX4 S-Cross doesn’t disappoint. With its intelligent all-wheel drive system and durable construction, it can handle challenging terrain with ease.

From gravel roads to unpaved trails, the SX4 S-Cross is always ready to conquer the road ahead and take your off-road adventures to new heights.

Choose Your Adventure

Now that you know about these three compact Suzuki crossovers, it’s time to choose the one that best fits your adventurous spirit. Whether it’s the nimble and versatile Jimny, the stylish and capable Vitara, or the elegant and performance-driven SX4 S-Cross, Suzuki has the perfect option for you.

So, are you ready to hit the road and embark on your next off-road journey? The world is waiting, and these compact Suzuki crossovers are here to take you there in style and comfort.

So, I had the chance to test-drive three really cool SUVs: the Suzuki S-Presso, Suzuki Ignis, and the turbocharged Suzuki Vitara. It was quite an experience!

Let me start with the Vitara. Suzuki went all out with this one, adding a turbo engine to the mix. This top-of-the-line model comes with both a manual and an automatic gearbox. And let me tell you, the heart of this beauty is Suzuki’s powerful 1.4-liter Boosterjet engine. It gives you an impressive 103kW of power at 5,500 RPM, along with 220Nm of torque between 1,500 and 4,000 RPM. Talk about a boost!

Now, let’s move on to the Ignis. It got a facelift and some extra features not too long ago. And let me tell you, it has made this already fantastic car even better! The Ignis is perfect for zipping around the city. But don’t let its compact size fool you – it still offers plenty of space and that fun SUV driving experience. Plus, it has good ground clearance, so you can take it on all kinds of adventures.

Hey there! Let me tell you about the cool design updates on this car. It has a stylish S-emblem in the front, surrounded by four shiny chrome slots. This new grille gives it a more confident and purposeful look, making the whole front end pop. It’s like a bright bar that stretches from one side to the other, connecting the front fenders.

But it’s not just about looks! The SUV vibe is backed up by some practical features too. You’ll find sleek roof rails, flared wheel arch extensions, and a generous ground clearance of 180mm. It’s ready to take on any adventure!

Looking at the front bumper, you’ll notice a smooth lower section. On the GLX version, it even has fog lights integrated into it. And there’s a cool faux scuff plate that adds to the SUV’s charm. At the back, you’ll find another scuff plate, creating a cohesive and stylish SUV look.

Now, let’s talk about the performance. The Ignis is powered by a peppy 1.2-liter engine that packs a punch. With 61kW of power and 113Nm of torque, this car is not afraid of the city or the highway. And thanks to its lightweight build of just 860kg, it’s agile and responsive.

So, if you’re looking for a car that combines great design, practical features, and impressive performance, you’ll definitely love the Ignis!

When I talk about the GLX models, what I mean is that they have this really cool touchscreen system. And guess what? It has Apple CarPlay and Android Auto built right in! Isn’t that awesome? You can do all your favorite things on the big screen, like listening to your favorite music or getting directions. But that’s not all – this touchscreen also acts as a reverse camera. That means no more struggling to park your car. Plus, the GLX models have rear parking sensors to help you out even more.

Now, let’s switch gears and talk about the Suzuki S-Presso. This SUV is something special. It takes all the great things about Suzuki cars and puts them into a compact and affordable package. I mean, who doesn’t want a car that’s both compact and affordable? The S-Presso uses the Heartect platform, which is like the bones of the car. And let me tell you, these are some strong bones. The S-Presso is spacious and well-equipped, making it the perfect urban SUV. And get this – it’s the most affordable SUV in South Africa. Yep, you heard that right. Starting at just R139 000, this car is a steal.

The engine in the S-Presso is exactly the same as the one found in the Celerio. It’s a small, 1.0-liter, three-cylinder engine that offers 50kW of power and 90Nm of torque. This engine uses multi-point fuel injection and has four valves per cylinder. It’s quite fuel-efficient, with an average consumption of less than 5.0 liters per 100km, which means it won’t put a strain on your budget.

When it comes to the suspension, the S-Presso uses a combination of McPherson struts in the front and torsion beams in the rear. This configuration provides excellent damping over different road surfaces and helps keep the car’s weight under 770kg. The result is a smooth and comfortable ride.

We took our fleet of compact SUVs out on the road for a test drive. On the first day, we headed north from Pretoria to Bela-Bela and then took the scenic old road through the beautiful Springbokvlakte. To avoid any crowded places, we stopped for a relaxing lunch break at Moorddrift Farm, where we could enjoy our packed lunch under the shade of the trees.

The fight for toll fees has been going on for centuries. Back in 1854, there was a fierce conflict between the Kekana Ndebele and the Voortrekkers that started because of a disagreement over toll fees. It got so heated that the Kekana actually took one of the Voortrekkers prisoner and brutally killed him. They skinned him alive at a spot that became known as Moorddrift.

The furious people called on every farmer in the old Transvaal to seek revenge for the poor man’s gruesome death. As a result, the Ndebele tribe fled to the caves in an attempt to avoid the retaliatory attacks.

After lunch, we made our way through Potgietersrus towards Polokwane and Haenertsburg. However, before reaching our evening accommodation, we had to navigate some unpaved roads. We took the forestry roads that pass by Zwakala Brewery. These roads can be rough in certain areas and get washed away on steep sections. But by maintaining momentum and being mindful of where we placed our wheels, we were astonished by the capabilities of these small Suzukis.

In 1886, the town of Haenertsburg was established when gold was discovered in the area. It is located on the edge of the great escarpment in Limpopo, between Polokwane and Tzaneen. The Iron Crown Mountain, which stands behind the town, is the highest point in Limpopo and a well-known landmark.

The Pennefather Gold Mining Company includes two trading posts and six self-catering cottages. Staying overnight here transports you back to the time when rough miners and stagecoach robbers ruled these parts during the gold rush. To avoid the crowds, we enjoyed our dinner in the charming bookshop. Our accommodation for the night was in homes made of corrugated iron, designed with a prospecting theme in mind but equipped with all the luxuries.

When I woke up on day two, it was insanely cold outside. But luckily, the freezing temperatures don’t stick around for very long in this part of the world. We started our day by going around the Ebenezer Dam. Then, we embarked on a journey through the steep forests of Agatha, making our way towards Tzaneen and ultimately Gravelotte. The Suzukis handled the challenging terrain effortlessly. Just before we arrived at Gravelotte, we veered off-road again to check out the historic Leydsdorp Hotel.

Hey there! Let me tell you about Leydsdorp, a little town that used to be a bustling gold rush hotspot. Nowadays, it’s mostly a ghost town, except for the hotel which recently got a fancy makeover. It’s located about 11 kilometers from Gravelotte or around 50 kilometers from Tzaneen. Leydsdorp came to be in 1890, born out of a gold mining camp. But when gold was found on the Witwatersrand, everyone pretty much packed up and left. It’s a fascinating place to visit because it feels like stepping into a different time, a time filled with shady characters and dishonesty, just like South Africa today. Now, imagine this: you take a break from your rough and tumble journey, kick back with a cold drink or beer, and for a brief moment, you transport yourself back over a hundred years ago.

Guess what? Right near the Leydsdorp Hotel is this giant, ancient baobab tree. It’s seriously huge, with a trunk that’s 28 meters around. And get this, it’s over 2000 years old! Can you believe it? This old guy has seen it all. Throughout the years, people have used it as a post office, a bar, and even a jail. How cool is that? And let me tell you, sitting under the shade of this massive tree after a bumpy morning on the gravel road was pure bliss.

After lunch, we kept on going on our journey through Graskop, Sabie, and finally reached Oliver’s just outside White River. But not before another dose of gravel roads, as the forestry roads and trails of the MTO plantations gave us an amazing and fitting end to a long day of driving.

On Day 3, we pointed our Suzuki SUVs towards Gauteng as we headed back home. We had breakfast and then drove around the Witklip Dam, climbing through the forests for one of the most breathtaking views of the Lowveld. Leaving the gravel behind, we took on Long Tom Pass, making our way to Lydenburg. We stopped for a quick coffee break in Dullstroom before we faced the rather tedious 200km stretch of road that is the N4.

Over the course of three days, my friends and I embarked on a thrilling journey, traversing an array of different landscapes. We ventured through the smooth Sanral highways, ventured into the traditional back roads, and delved into gravel and forest paths. Some of the tracks we encountered were treacherously rocky, but to our surprise, the durable little Suzukis kept going without a single complaint. It truly is remarkable what a vehicle with decent ground clearance and sturdy tires can achieve.

Now, you might be wondering if you need a fancy 4×4 vehicle to explore off-road. Well, the answer is a resounding no. These three Suzukis proved that anyone with a thirst for adventure can enjoy gravel travel. They effortlessly carried us at impressive speeds, ensuring our comfort over all sorts of surfaces, while also ensuring the safety of the vehicles. No need to worry about causing any damage.

We are blessed to live in a country that is rich in natural beauty. However, many travelers find themselves succumbing to the allure of the same old destinations. But here’s a tip for you: pull out a map, pick a random spot, and hit the road. I promise you won’t be disappointed. There are endless wonders to discover if you’re willing to step outside your comfort zone.