1989 SUZUKI Vitara 3 Doors 2.0L 16V 5MT AWD (132 HP)

Vehicle Overview

Suzuki introduced the Vitara lineup in 1988 as a 1989 model for those looking for a light SUV but needed more room and comfort than the rugged Samurai.

The Japanese carmaker didn’t want to use a chassis anymore and tried to increase comfort and features inside the vehicle. It resulted in one of the most popular SUVs in the compact-segment from the early ’90s, the Vitara. Designed as a unit-body vehicle, available as a three-door hard-top or two-door convertible, the Vitara was known for its lightweight and the fuel-efficiency that made it very useful in urban traffic.

The exterior was a mix of straight-line and curved panels. Its designers installed enlarged fenders over the wheel-arches to make the car looks more muscular. In the rear, the tiny taillights installed above the bumpers were protected by annoying parking scratches.

Inside, there were two comfortable seats at the front and a small bench in the back fit for two children or not-so-tall adults. The car provided limited legroom, and the main reason it featured a bench was to expand the, otherwise, tiny trunk. In fact, it was so small that the carmaker couldn’t place the spare-wheel inside the vehicle.

Under the hood, Suzuki installed a choice of three engines, depending on the market. All of them were paired as standard to a 5-speed transmission. A transfer-case ensured the 4×4 system.