Vitara Safety
Safe and sound
Prevention and protection are essential every time you, your family, and friends get in the car. The Suzuki Vitara is one of the safest compact SUVs on the road. Its specifically designed structure combined with an array of advanced safety assist technologies, provide the best chance of avoiding and mitigating a collision.
Safety assist technologies Structural integrity Passive safety features
For a full list of the safety features available for each Vitara model, please visit the safety section in the Specifications here.
Safety assist technologies
Advanced safety features such as Dual Sensor Brake Support, blind spot monitoring, and rear cross traffic alert assist you as the driver to avoid accidents and minimise crash severity. In the Suzuki Vitara, you will find the following safety assist technologies under collision warning and avoidance, braking and stability, speed alert, and advanced lighting.
Collision warning and avoidance
Dual Sensor Brake Support
The Vitara's monocular camera sees mid-to-long distance and can detect pedestrians while the laser sensor sees short-distances and at night. Information from these sensors allows the Vitara to detect a potential collision and act in any of the following ways depending on the situation:
- Alert the driver with an audio and visual warning.
- Deploy brake assist to increase the braking force if the risk of collision is high and the driver panic brakes.
- Apply strong automatic braking if the risk of collision increases further.
*This video contains overseas models and specifications may differ.
Adaptive cruise control
The Vitara's adaptive cruise control system uses millimetre-wave radar to automatically maintain your following distance between you and the vehicle in front, depending on vehicle speed and the setting distance selected.
*This video contains overseas models and specifications may differ.
Cruise control
Set the cruise control in Vitara to automatically maintain a set speed without having to operate the accelerator pedal. By eliminating unnecessary acceleration and braking, it improves the vehicle's fuel efficiency and helps reduce driver fatigue on open roads or long trips.
Blind spot monitor
Lane changing at speeds above 15 km/h is made safer by two rear mounted side radar sensors capable of detecting vehicles located in or approaching the rear blind spots on either side of the vehicle. When a vehicle is detected a warning LED icon is illuminated in the exterior mirror. If the driver indicates to change lanes, a flashing LED icon is accompanied by a warning sound alert.
*This video contains overseas models and specifications may differ.
Lane departure warning
At 60km/h or faster this system predicts the path of the Vitara and if you are drifting, gives you a visual warning and vibrates the steering wheel.
Weaving alert
If this system in the Vitara detects you're wandering due to driver fatigue, for example, it assesses your driving pattern and issues audio and visual warnings.
Hill hold control
The hill hold control function makes hill starts easier in the Vitara by preventing the car from rolling backwards for two seconds when the driver moves their foot from the brake pedal to the accelerator pedal.
Hill descent control
When the Vitara is travelling down a steep downward slope and engine braking is not sufficient to slow the vehicle, hill descent control applies the brakes and helps maintain a slow speed down the slope. This allows the driver to concentrate on steering. Available on AWD models.
Rear cross traffic alert
Rear cross traffic alert assists the driver to manoeuvre more safely out of parking spaces where vision is obscured. When reversing, at speeds of up to 8 km/h, the Vitara uses two rear mounted side radar sensors to assist the driver by alerting them of approaching vehicles on either side. The driver is given both a visual alert on the multi information display and a warning sound.
*This video contains overseas models and specifications may differ.
Reverse camera
The Vitara's built-in reverse camera helps you park and reverse safely without twisting in your seat. Situated on the 7-inch touchscreen central display, the camera's on-screen guidelines help with assessing the distance between the vehicle and your surroundings.
Parking sensors
Parking is safer and easier with the Vitara's ultrasonic sensors in the front and rear bumpers. They detect obstacles in the vehicle's path and send you audio and visual warnings.
Braking Stability
ESP®
The Electronic Stability Programme (ESP) in the Vitara detects wheel slip, for instance when you turn the steering wheel sharply and/or the road is slippery. It automatically controls the engine torque and brakes helping you to stay in control.
ESP is a registered trademark of Daimler AG.
ABS with EBD
The Vitara's Anti-locking Braking System with Electronic Brake Distribution adjusts the braking force automatically, providing the right amount of pressure to bring the vehicle to a safe and controlled stop.
Brake assist
The brake assist function in the Vitara adjusts the braking force when the brake pedal hasn't been fully depressed in an emergency braking situation. The onboard computer determines whether it is an emergency braking situation based on the speed at which the brake pedal is depressed, and adds brake force to achieve optimum deceleration.
4-wheel disc brakes
Larger ventilated front discs, combined with the solid rear discs in the Vitara, provide greater stopping power. The adoption of low-resistance callipers boost brake performance and increase fuel efficiency.
Speed alert
Speed limiter
The speed limiter function in the Vitara allows you to set a maximum speed for safer driving and stay within the speed limit.
Advanced Lighting
Daytime running lamps
Energy-saving LED daytime running lamps automatically turn on with the Vitara's engine, emitting a noticeable line of light to oncoming traffic.
Auto levelling headlamps
Automatically adjusting the direction of the beam from the headlamps, the Vitara's auto levelling system is continually pointing at the road no matter the position of the car.
Auto light-sensing headlamps
The Vitara's auto light-sensing headlamps automatically turn on and off depending on the level of ambient brightness.
Fog lamps
To help maintain forward vision and noticeability in fog, the Vitara is equipped with fog lamps in the front bumper.
Structural integrity
A sound structure is vital to protecting you and your passengers in the event of a crash. The structural integrity of the Vitara is designed for enhanced passenger safety by absorbing and dispersing crash energy, preserving the cabin's shape, and preventing injury by parts of the car.
TECT platform
The Vitara's state-of-the-art frame uses Suzuki's Total Effective Control Technology (TECT) concept for occupant-protecting impact absorption and low weight. Extensive use of high tensile steel increases the frame's rigidity whilst reducing weight. The crumple zones are designed to fold, absorb and dissipate collision energy and fewer joints mean fewer reinforcements are required, dispersing energy more efficiently.
Pedestrian protection
To mitigate the extent of injuries in the event of contact with a pedestrian, the Vitara's front bonnet, cowl top, wipers and front bumper contain impact-absorbing structures.
Occupant protection
Where they are more likely to injure the occupants, the steering column, dash, roof pillars, pedals and floor panels will not move excessively. Doors will remain closed, protecting the occupants during the event and be able to be opened after the crash to assist quick rescue.
Pedal release mechanism
The Vitara's pedal release mechanism minimises impact on the leg during a frontal collision by preventing the brake (and clutch) pedal from being pushed back towards the driver.
Passive safety features
The Vitara's passive safety features such as airbags and restraint systems will automatically activate when you need them. These built-in features initiate during an accident, with the intention to reduce the risk of injury and minimize damage during the impact.
SRS advanced airbags
The Vitara's Supplemental Restraint System (SRS) front, side, curtain and driver's knee airbags provide extra protection in a collision.
The front air bags for the driver and passenger deploy in a moderate or severe frontal impact, lessening the impact to the head and chest. For side impact collisions, the curtain and front side air bags mitigate the impact to head and chest areas of the occupants. The driver's knee airbag restrains the driver's legs to mitigate the collision forces on legs and control the driver's posture.
The SRS airbags are designed to work in conjunction with properly worn seatbelts.
Emergency Locking Retractor (ELR) seatbelts
The Vitara's three-point ELR seatbelts with pretensioners and force limiters combine to prevent or limit the forces of a collision.
Three-point seatbelts incorporate both a lap and sash belt spreading the load over the chest, pelvis and shoulders. Pretensioners allow the seat belt to freely extend and retract with occupant movement, locking the belt during a sudden stop or upon impact. The force limiter works in conjunction with the pretensioner, gradually releasing the force applied to the chest of occupants.
Seatbelt reminders
On the Vitara's instrument panel, a warning light and an audible warning will alert the driver and front passenger to fasten their seatbelts. When rear passengers have not fastened theirs, a warning light informs the driver.
Head restraints
The Vitara's adjustable head restraints at the top of each seat limit the movement of an adult's head relative to the torso in a rear end collision.
Child seat tether anchorages
The Vitara has top tether anchorages or upper anchorage points over the back of the seat enabling child restraints to be secured to the vehicle.
Please consult with the NZ Transport Agency (NZTA) for the latest requirements for using child restraints in New Zealand and follow the instructions provided by the child seat manufacturer.
Child seat ISOFIX anchorages
The ISOFIX child seat attachment anchorages make it easier to install a compatible child seat by pushing the connector, mounted underneath the child seat, into the attachment point in the Vitara.
Please consult with the NZ Transport Agency (NZTA) for the latest requirements for using child restraints in New Zealand and follow the instructions provided by the child seat manufacturer.