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Used test: Suzuki Vitara vs Volkswagen T-Cross costs

You could save yourself thousands on either of these small SUVs by buying them at a year old. We've put them head to head to see which is the better buy...

Suzuki Vitara

Buying and owning

Costs, equipment, reliability, safety and security

New, these cars are closely matched on price. However, buy them at a year old and the Vitara is usefully cheaper, undercutting the T-Cross by around £2500. Just bear in mind that it's expected to continue depreciating at a faster rate.

If you’re interested in a small SUV with a tiddly engine, fuel economy will no doubt be important to you. The Vitara averaged a respectable 43.2mpg in our tests, but the T-Cross bettered it with 45.1mpg.

Volkswagen T-Cross front

The T-Cross should also cost you less to service over three years (£900 versus £1032), but both cars sit in the same tax band and insurance group.

Slightly worryingly, the Vitara finished in ninth place out of 10 small SUVs in our 2020 Reliability Survey. However, the T-Cross was too new to feature, and as a brand Volkswagen finished in 20th place (out of 31), whereas Suzuki was 14th.

Volkswagen T-Cross Euro NCAP crash test

On the safety front, the Vitara loses out, because automatic emergency braking (AEB) wasn’t available with SZ-T trim. To get it, you’ll either need to seek out a four-wheel-drive model or the pricier SZ5 spec.

Not only does the T-Cross have AEB, it also has lane-keeping assistance, which the Vitara lacks. And while both cars were awarded five stars for safety by Euro NCAP, the Vitara was tested under older, less stringent rules. An alarm is fitted, whichever you choose.


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