2008 SUZUKI ESCUDO
The Suzuki Escudo is the SUV for all seasons and on all roads. The Escudo series of SUVs is replete with off-road capabilities, everyday functionality, and bold stylings that have allowed it to come in at the top of the table in all its generations and iterations as a mini, compact, and currently, as a subcompact SUV. Whether it's those drives off the beaten path or just your standard family trip, there's no task too big for the Escudo to handle. Keep reading on to learn more about the Escudo and find your ideal one.
Origin
The Suzuki Escudo, also known as the Vitara, hit the automotive scene in 1988 and quickly gained attention for its unique design and versatile capabilities. The vehicle was intended to fill a gap in the Suzuki lineup between the mini Suzuki Jimny and larger SUVs. With a three-door urban design and cross-country 4WD capability, it was a popular alternative to other vehicles in its class.
1st Generation (ET/TA; 1988-1998)
The first generation Escudo had a sporty and playful design, achieved with bulging blister fenders to the front and rear. It was available as either a hardtop or convertible and, later in 1989, additionally as a five-door with an extended wheelbase and ample room for those in need of greater seating capacity. A sturdy frame, part-time 4WD system, and coil spring allowed the Escudo to deliver a comfortable ride while tackling the most challenging roads.
The first-generation Escudo offered a range of engine options, including two 1.6L inline four-cylinders, a 2.0L inline four-cylinder, a 2.0L V6 six-cylinder, and a 2.5L V6 six-cylinder gasoline. Additionally, a 2.0L inline four-cylinder turbo diesel was available.
2nd Generation (FT/GT; 1998-2005)
The Escudo began its second generation in 1998, inheriting much of the first generation's design and its comfortable off-road performance. Instead of the recirculating ball truck unit of the previous generation, the second-gen Escudo used a light-duty automobile-type rack-and-pinion steering box. The three-door version of the Escudo remained a mini SUV, whereas the five-door entered the compact SUV category. 1998 also saw the introduction of a longer and more powerful version of the five-door, seven-seater Grand Escudo.
Engines available for this generation were a 1.6L inline four-cylinder, a 2.0L inline four-cylinder, a 2.5L V6 six-cylinder gasoline, and a 2.0L inline four-cylinder turbo diesel. These were mated to either a five-speed manual or a four-speed automatic transmission (depending on trim).
3rd Generation (JT; 2005-2014)
Suzuki redesigned the Escudo for its third generation, replacing the previous version's unibody with a lightweight yet rigid monocoque ladder-frame construction. The previous generation's solid axle was also swapped out for a fully independent multi-link suspension. Both three- and five-door versions were available.
For its engines, the Escudo received 1.6L, 2.0L, and 2.4L inline four-cylinder gasoline, 2.7L and 3.2L V6 six-cylinder gasoline, and 1.9L inline four-cylinder turbodiesel. These were mated to either a five-speed manual or a four- or five-speed automatic transmission (depending on trim).
4th Generation (LY; 2014-present)
The Escudo was revamped for its fourth generation, getting a lightweight unibody platform. On the outside, the fourth-generation Escudo was notably sleeker than the previous generations. It also came in smaller dimensions, moving it down to the subcompact SUV category. The already impressive 375 liters of luggage space in the Escudo could be increased to 710 liters when the rear seats were folded down. For its 4WD version, the Escudo gets Suzuki's ALLGRIP electronically controlled 4WD system. A 2018 facelift gave the Escudo a more elegant look with the addition of chrome accents, a new grille, and an updated interior that featured soft paddings above the instrument panel. These were coupled with enhanced safety features like Dual Sensor Brake Support.
The engines were 1.0L inline three-cylinder and 1.4L inline four-cylinder Boosterjet turbos, 1.6L inline four-cylinder gasoline, and 1.6L inline four-cylinder turbodiesel. Hybrid models come with a 1.5L inline four-cylinder Dualjet. Available transmissions were five- and six-speed manuals, a six-speed automatic, and a six-speed automated manual for the 1.5L in the hybrid model.
Engine Performance & Technology
The Escudo uses powerful, reliable, and fuel-efficient engines. Some, like the 1.0L inline three-cylinder and the 1.4L inline four-cylinder of the fourth generation, are Boosterjet turbos with a direct fuel injection system. This allows them to achieve exceptional horsepower and impressive fuel efficiencies--22 km/l in the 1.0L.
Safety & Reliability
You'll be kept safe in the Escudo. Earlier generations came with airbags, seatbelts, and ABS as standard, while later versions, like the third and fourth generations, added more sophisticated safety features such as side curtain airbags, rear and front head airbags, electronic stability and traction control, and rearview camera. Advanced technologies also include Dual Sensor Brake Support (DSBS), a braking technology that makes use of Laser radar and monocular sensors to enable preemptive collision detection, the Traffic Sign Recognition feature that makes use of a front-facing camera that scans the road ahead to detect any changes in traffic using a character recognition software that notes any changes described by traffic signs, and the Total Effective Control Technology (TECT) which improves impact absorption.
Trim Configurations
The Escudo is available in three, five, and seven-door bodies. Early versions were also available as hardtops or convertibles. In 2020, Suzuki released a special edition trim with brown-colored headlights, an interior, wheels, and a silver stainless steel pedal.
Conclusion
Suzuki's Escudo is a versatile SUV that delivers exceptional performance both on and off the road. With its rugged styling, advanced features, and excellent utility, this vehicle is a perfect choice for adventure seekers who want to explore new terrains and enjoy the outdoors. You can find a high-quality Escudo at a great price in excellent condition here at BE FORWARD, a trusted source for buying and importing used cars from Japan.
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