Suzuki Escudo

Suzuki Escudo: which version to buy and why

If you are choosing a Suzuki Escudo, the numbers in this catalogue already decide most of the fork: 4 generation (from 2015-10-01, SUV 5-doors, 3 versions) is the lightest and the only one with a Turbo Gasoline engine; 3 generation including 3 generation, restyling (2005-05-01 to 2017-04-30, SUV 5-doors, 7 + 2 versions) is where peak horsepower, the only measured 0–100 times, and the tallest 200 m…

If you are choosing a Suzuki Escudo, the numbers in this catalogue already decide most of the fork: 4 generation (from 2015-10-01, SUV 5-doors, 3 versions) is the lightest and the only one with a Turbo Gasoline engine; 3 generation including 3 generation, restyling (2005-05-01 to 2017-04-30, SUV 5-doors, 7 + 2 versions) is where peak horsepower, the only measured 0–100 times, and the tallest 200 mm ground clearance live; 2 generation (1997-11-01 to 2005-04-30, SUV 3-doors, 13 versions listed / 12 shown) is the only place with Diesel and a 66 L tank on the weighed cars; 1 generation (1988-05-01 to 1997-10-31, SUV 3-doors, 32 versions listed / 12 shown) is the lightest at 970 kg and the only one with a 3-speed Automatic. There are no prices in these data, so “extra money” here means extra kilograms, extra litres, extra horsepower, extra gears — not a sticker.

Which generation actually changed what

1 generation is SUV 3-doors, 200 mm clearance on the 82 hp and 101 hp 1.6 MT / 1.6 AT and on the 120 hp 1.8 MT / 1.8 AT and 128 hp 2.0 MT / 2.0 AT, then 195 mm on the 6-cylinder V-shaped 2.0 MT and 2.0 AT (140 hp and 145 hp). Tank is 42 L wherever measured. Front brakes are Disc, not Ventilated disc.

2 generation stays SUV 3-doors, clearance drops 5 mm to 195 mm on every shown version, tank jumps to 66 L on the versions that list a tank (not measured on several others). Front brakes become Ventilated disc. A Diesel 2.0 AT (92 hp, Turbo) appears. Two 1.6 MT and two 1.6 AT (all 107 hp) differ by engine position and rear suspension; two 2.0 AT differ by fuel: Gasoline 140 hp versus Diesel 92 hp.

3 generation switches the body to SUV 5-doors and lifts clearance to 200 mm. The restyling (3 generation, restyling, 2008-06-01 to 2017-04-30) does not add engines: it keeps only 2.4 AT and 2.4 MT (both 166 hp) and finally publishes the 66 L tank that was not measured on the pre-restyle 2.4s. Independent, spring rear suspension on those 2.4s replaces the Dependent, spring rear of 1.6 MT (106 hp) and 3.2 AT (224 hp) from the un-restyled 3 generation.

4 generation is still SUV 5-doors but is a different size class in the figures: kerb weight 1140–1220 kg versus 1420–1710 kg in 3 generation; tank 47 L versus 66 L on restyle 2.4; clearance 185 mm (15 mm less than 3 generation); rear suspension Semi-independent, torsion; rear brakes Disc; the only FWD Escudo in the whole table (1.6 AT, 117 hp).

Specs table: engines you can actually pick

Engine position: Front, transverse on 4 generation and on many later 1.6s; Front, longitudinal on 3 generation 2.0 AT / 2.0 MT, on 2 generation longitudinal 1.6s and 2.5 AT / 2.7 AT, and on 1 generation 101 hp 1.6 and all 2.0s. Injection is Distributed injection (multi-point) except 1 generation 82 hp 1.6 MT / 1.6 AT (Central injection (single-point or single- point)) and 2 generation Diesel 2.0 AT (injection not measured). Eco class, CO2, wheel sizes: not measured on every version.

Horsepower, litres, and kg per hp (what the “step up” actually buys)

Power per litre (hp ÷ displacement in litres):

• 1.4 AT 4 generation: 136 / 1.371 ≈ 99.2 hp/L — highest in the table; Turbo is the reason, not extra cylinders.
• 1.6 AT 4 generation: 117 / 1.586 ≈ 73.8 hp/L.
• 3.2 AT 3 generation: 224 / 3.195 ≈ 70.1 hp/L — most total hp (224), not the densest.
• 2.7 AT 3 generation: 184 / 2.736 ≈ 67.3 hp/L; 2.7 AT 2 generation: 177 / 2.736 ≈ 64.7 hp/L (7 hp less on the same 2736 cc).
• 2.4 AT / 2.4 MT: 166 / 2.393 ≈ 69.4 hp/L.
• 2.0 MT / 2.0 AT 3 generation: 145 / 1.995 ≈ 72.7 hp/L.
• 2 generation Gasoline 2.0 AT / 2.0 MT: 140 / 1.995 ≈ 70.2 hp/L.
• 2 generation Diesel 2.0 AT: 92 / 1.998 ≈ 46.0 hp/L — worst hp/L, but 226 Nm at 2000 rpm is the highest torque of any 2.0 and arrives 2000 rpm earlier than the Gasoline 186 Nm @ 4000.
• 1 generation 1.6 MT 82 hp: 82 / 1.590 ≈ 51.6 hp/L; the 101 hp 1.6 MT / 1.6 AT is 101 / 1.590 ≈ 63.5 hp/L — same 1590 cc, +19 hp.
• 1 generation 2.0 MT 145 hp 6 V-shaped: 145 / 1.998 ≈ 72.6 hp/L, almost the same density as 3 generation’s 4 Inline 145 hp 1995 cc.

Kerb kg per hp (lower is less mass per horsepower; skip rows where weight is not measured):

• 3.2 AT 3 generation: 1710 / 224 ≈ 7.6 kg/hp — best ratio in the measured set.
• 2.7 AT 3 generation: 1620 / 184 ≈ 8.8 kg/hp.
• 1.4 AT 4 generation: 1220 / 136 ≈ 9.0 kg/hp.
• 2 generation 2.5 AT 1390 kg: 1390 / 160 ≈ 8.7 kg/hp.
• 1 generation 2.0 MT 145 hp: 1230 / 145 ≈ 8.5 kg/hp; 2.0 AT 145 hp: 1250 / 145 ≈ 8.6 kg/hp.
• 2.4 AT (1630 kg, both 3 generation and restyling): 1630 / 166 ≈ 9.8 kg/hp; 2.4 MT 1600 / 166 ≈ 9.6 kg/hp — Manual saves 30 kg.
• 4 generation 1.6 AT FWD: 1140 / 117 ≈ 9.7 kg/hp; 1.6 AT AWD: 1210 / 117 ≈ 10.3 kg/hp. AWD costs 70 kg for 0 extra hp.
• 3 generation 2.0 AT: 1548 / 145 ≈ 10.7 kg/hp; 2.0 MT: 1550 / 145 ≈ 10.7 kg/hp.
• 2 generation 1.6 MT 1200 kg: 1200 / 107 ≈ 11.2 kg/hp; 1.6 AT 1280 kg: 1280 / 107 ≈ 12.0 kg/hp.
• 3 generation 1.6 MT: 1420 / 106 ≈ 13.4 kg/hp — worst measured ratio: 1 hp less and 220 kg more than 2 generation’s 1200 kg 1.6 MT.
• 1 generation 1.6 MT 82 hp: 970 / 82 ≈ 11.8 kg/hp; 1.6 AT 82 hp: 990 / 82 ≈ 12.1 kg/hp.

Torque per litre: 1.4 AT 210 / 1.371 ≈ 153 Nm/L; Diesel 2.0 AT 226 / 1.998 ≈ 113 Nm/L; 3.2 AT 284 / 3.195 ≈ 89 Nm/L. The turbo 1371 cc out-torques every naturally aspirated 4 Inline here on a per-litre basis.

Performance and mpg: only three versions were timed

0–100, top speed, and fuel use are not measured on 4 generation, on both restyle 2.4s, on 3 generation 1.6 MT / 2.4 AT / 2.4 MT / 3.2 AT, and on every 2 generation and 1 generation version shown.

The only measured trio is 3 generation:

• 2.7 AT: 0–100 9.7 s, top speed 180, city 14.9 / highway 8.9 / mixed 9.8.
• 2.0 MT: 0–100 12.5 s (+2.8 s vs 2.7 AT), top speed 176 (−4), city 11.6 / highway 7.6 / mixed 9.1 (−0.7 mixed vs 2.7 AT).
• 2.0 AT: 0–100 13.6 s (+1.1 s vs the same engine as Manual), top speed 171 (−5 vs Manual), city 12.1 / highway 7.6 / mixed 9.4. Automatic costs 1.1 s and 0.3 mixed litres versus 2.0 MT for the same 145 hp and 193 Nm.

Highway use of 2.0 AT and 2.0 MT is identical at 7.6; the Automatic penalty is city (+0.5). 2.7 AT uses +2.8 city and +1.3 highway versus 2.0 MT to buy 39 hp, 57 Nm, 3.9 s, and 4 km/h.

Dimensions, weight, tank, clearance

Gross weight: not measured on every version. Wheel sizes: not measured on every version.

Clearance: 185 mm (4 generation, all three) vs 200 mm (3 generation and restyling, all) vs 195 mm (2 generation, all shown) vs 200 mm (1 generation 4-cylinder 1.6/1.8/2.0 128 hp) vs 195 mm (1 generation 6-cylinder 2.0 MT / 2.0 AT). Choosing 4 generation costs 15 mm versus 3 generation.

Tank: 47 L (4 generation) vs 66 L (3 generation restyling 2.4 AT / 2.4 MT; 2 generation versions that list a tank) vs 42 L (1 generation, all shown). 3 generation pre-restyle tanks: not measured. Range arithmetic is blocked wherever consumption is not measured; mixed mpg exists only for the three timed 3 generation versions.

Kerb span by generation (measured only): 4 generation 1140–1220 kg; 3 generation 1420–1710 kg (3.2 AT is 490 kg heavier than 4 generation 1.6 AT FWD); 2 generation 1200–1390 kg where listed (several 1.6 AT, 1.6 MT, 2.0 AT, 2.0 MT, 2.5 AT, Diesel 2.0 AT, 2.7 AT weights not measured); 1 generation 970–1250 kg where listed (101 hp 1.6s, both 1.8s, 128 hp 2.0s not measured).

Rear brakes: Disc on all 4 generation and on 3 generation 3.2 AT and 2 generation 2.7 AT; Drum on 3 generation 1.6/2.0/2.4/2.7 and restyle 2.4s and most 2 generation; 1 generation 82 hp uses Drum at the rear, several 1 generation rears not measured.

Which version to choose

Buy 4 generation 1.4 AT**** if you want AWD, Automatic 6, and the catalogue’s highest hp/L (≈99.2) and 210 Nm from 1371 cc at 1220 kg. 0–100, top speed, mpg, CO2: not measured. You give up 15 mm of clearance versus 3 generation and 19 L of tank versus restyle 2.4.

Buy 4 generation 1.6 AT FWD if you want the lightest current Escudo (1140 kg) and will take FWD. Same 117 hp / 151 Nm as the AWD twin. Buy the AWD 1.6 AT**** only for the drive: +70 kg, same engine, same 185 mm, same 47 L, same Automatic 6.

Buy 3 generation 3.2 AT**** if peak hp (224) and peak torque (284 Nm @ 3500) and the best measured kg/hp (≈7.6) matter more than weight (1710 kg) and Dependent, spring rear. Performance and mpg: not measured.

Buy 3 generation 2.7 AT** if you need the only timed “fast” Automatic: 9.7 s, 180, mixed 9.8. It is 90 hp and 40 kg lighter than 3.2 AT, 18 hp and 10 kg lighter than restyle 2.4 AT is heavier than this 2.7 (1620 vs 1630 — 2.4 AT** is 10 kg heavier for 18 hp less).

Buy 3 generation 2.0 MT** if you want the only measured mix of usable timing and the lowest mixed use in the file (12.5 s, 176, 9.1). 2.0 AT** is the same 145 hp with +1.1 s and +0.3 mixed. Engine is Front, longitudinal, unlike the transverse 2.4s.

Buy restyle 2.4 MT** over restyle 2.4 AT** for 30 kg and a 5-speed Manual versus 4-speed Automatic; power is identical (166 hp, 225 Nm). Tank 66 L and 200 mm are the hardware 4 generation does not have. Timed performance: not measured.

Do not pick 3 generation 1.6 MT (106 hp) for “light and simple” if 2 generation 1.6 MT 1200 kg exists: you pay +220 kg and −1 hp, Dependent rear, and tank not measured.

Buy 2 generation Diesel 2.0 AT (92 hp) only for 226 Nm @ 2000 and Diesel fuel. Horsepower is the lowest 2.0 in the model; weight, mpg, 0–100, rear suspension, rear brakes, injection: not measured.

Buy 2 generation 2.5 AT 1390 kg if you want 6 V-shaped 160 hp in a 3-door at ≈8.7 kg/hp with 66 L. The other 2.5 AT in 2 generation has the same 160 hp but kerb not measured — treat them as two listings, distinguished by whether 1390 kg is present.

Buy 2 generation 2.7 AT (177 hp) if you want 6 V-shaped and Disc rear in the 3-door; it is 7 hp and 19 Nm behind 3 generation 2.7 AT, with 4 gears not 5, and weight not measured.

Distinguish 2 generation 2.0 AT listings: 140 hp Gasoline 95 (weight not measured, position not measured), 140 hp Gasoline 92 (1340 kg, Front, transverse), and 92 hp Diesel. Same name 2.0 AT, three different engines.

Buy 1 generation 1.6 MT 82 hp if minimum kerb (970 kg) and 42 L / 200 mm / AWD / Manual 5 is the brief; 82 hp and Central injection (single-point or single- point). The 82 hp 1.6 AT adds 20 kg and a 3-speed Automatic — the only 3-speed in the model.

Buy 1 generation 1.6 MT or 1.6 AT 101 hp if you want +19 hp and Distributed injection (multi-point) and 95 fuel on the same 1590 cc; kerb not measured.

Buy 1 generation 1.8 MT / 1.8 AT (120 hp, 170 Nm) as the middle 4 Inline before the 128 hp 2.0 MT / 2.0 AT (4 Inline, 174 Nm). Position not measured on the 1.8s; kerb not measured.

Buy 1 generation 6 V-shaped 2.0 MT 145 hp if you want the strongest 1 generation engine at 1230 kg (≈8.5 kg/hp) and will accept 195 mm instead of 200 mm. The 140 hp 6 V-shaped 2.0 MT / 2.0 AT sit 5 hp and 6 Nm below; 2.0 AT 145 hp is 1250 kg.

Reliability and problems

Reliability, typical faults, oil spec, and engine-number location are not measured in these data. What the table does show as hardware risk is older Automatic gear counts (3 in 1 generation 82 hp 1.6 AT; 4 in most AT until 3 generation 2.7 AT / 3.2 AT and all 4 generation use 6), Drum rears on most pre-4-generation versions except 3.2 AT and 2 generation 2.7 AT, and Dependent, spring rear on 3 generation 1.6 MT and 3.2 AT and on 2 generation transverse 1.6s and the 1340 kg 2.0 AT.

Short decision map

• Lightest current AWD with Turbo: 1.4 AT (4 generation).
• Lightest current Escudo: 1.6 AT FWD (4 generation, 1140 kg).
• Most hp and Nm: 3.2 AT (3 generation, 224 hp, 284 Nm).
• Only measured sub-10 s: 2.7 AT (3 generation, 9.7 s).
• Only measured lowest mixed use: 2.0 MT (3 generation, 9.1).
• Tallest clearance + largest measured tank: any 3 generation restyling 2.4 AT or 2.4 MT (200 mm, 66 L) or 2 generation versions with 66 L listed.
• Only Diesel: 2.0 AT 92 hp (2 generation).
• Lightest overall: 1.6 MT 82 hp (1 generation, 970 kg).
• Only 3-speed Automatic: 1.6 AT 82 hp (1 generation).