The fourth generation, released in 2015, reverted to the original name "Vitara" in most markets, but shifted from an off-road SUV towards a more road-oriented crossover style.

A fuel-injected 1.6-litre, 8-valve, four-cylinder Suzuki G16A engine producing 81 PS (60 kW; 80 hp) was available on the JX and JLX trims.

[4] In December 1994, a 2.0-litre V6 (Suzuki's first six-cylinder) and a 2.0-litre Mazda-sourced turbodiesel were added; in return, Mazda got to sell the Escudo in the Japanese market as the Proceed Levante in 1995.

Both the Vitara and Escudo initially came with the single JLX variant, and appeared with 16-inch steel wheels similar to the Suzuki Katana GX but with silver finishings instead of white.

Updates and improvements on the Escudo were available in March 1995, such as three-spoke alloy wheel with dark grey and chrome finishings, redesigned four-spoke steering wheel with Suzuki's S logo, new seat upholstery, and updated colour options (green metallic and dark purple metallic were available by March 1995).

Minor facelifts became available in July 1996, when the Escudo/Sidekick got a new interior with rounded dashboard and meter cluster, new front grille, and two-tone colour options on JLX trim.

The 300 and 350 have round headlights and taillights, and is the only version of the car to have fog lights fitted in the front bumper from factory.

Therefore, the Spanish-built Vitaras and 300/350s are more prone to rusting in northern European climates than Japanese-built counterparts of the same age and mileage.

The Fatboy was also a popular bodykit conversion, offered by the company Suzi Qs, located in Oldbury, Birmingham, UK.

The Fatboy converted models had different trim levels, where most sported Cooper Cobra tires, 10 inch wide alloy wheels, different taillights integrated into the rear bumper, in addition to extra styling options like mud flaps, sidesteps, an A-shaped bullbar and auxiliary high beam lights.

[11] All Vitaras sold in Norway (and other Scandinavian countries) were modified to have the low beams automatically turn on with the engine running, similarly to DRLs on the CAMI versions of the car.

There are also similar limited editions for British market, but called Rossini (pink) and Verdi (cyan) with different wheels.

[15] These companies then making business agreement to get the license from the government approved local car manufacturers for using their brands for selling these Vitaras.

The state's lost revenue was estimated around ¥30 billion from the illegal import of thousands of tonnes of crude oil, steel, cars and other manufactured goods.

[19] Slightly larger, more expensive, and more powerful, it used a light-duty automobile-type rack-and-pinion steering box instead of the recirculating ball truck unit used in the first generation.

This generation was also assembled in Argentina by General Motors in Alvear, Santa Fe from 2000 to 2005 along with the Chevrolet version for several countries in South American market.

The "Elite Sport" featured third-row seats, automatic climate controls, three-spoke steering wheel, Japanese vinyl (earlier models), central locking, tachometer, keyless entry with immobilizer.

[22] In 1998, the Grand Escudo was released, a longer 7-seater, slightly larger, pricier and more powerful version of the regular five-door.

A Suzuki-developed 2.4-litre inline four is offered producing 166 PS (122 kW; 164 hp) and 221 N⋅m (163 lb⋅ft) of torque, usually in conjunction with the 4-speed automatic transmission.

Subtle improvements were made on the exterior of the car, such as indicators relocated to the door mirrors, and a more pronounced front grille and bumper.

[citation needed] In 2010, a version without a rear-mounted spare tyre was released for selected markets such as Japan, North America and Europe.

Suzuki officially discontinued the third-generation Escudo in Japan in April 2017, however production would continue for export markets.

[35] Its production by Magyar Suzuki in Hungary started in March 2015[36] and parallels with the third-generation model produced in Japan until 2019.

Another facelift was introduced in April 2024 with redesigned front bumper, new sets of dual tone wheels, larger rear upper spoiler, a bigger 9-inch LCD display and an advanced collision avoidance system Dual Sensor Brake Support II (DSBS II).

[51] This hybrid model is only available with a 6-speed automated manual (dubbed as Auto Gear Shift (AGS) by Suzuki) and available for both front-wheel and all-wheel drive configuration.

Due to the placement of battery pack in the boot, as a result, the capacity is decreased to 289-litre and 569-litre when rear seats folded.

[57] Austrian market also received similar limited edition in September 2020, but based on the 1.4-litre Boosterjet hybrid AllGrip model.

It will be exported to selected developing markets in Asia, Africa, Middle East (GCC countries) and Latin America.

[77][78] In 1997, Suzuki upgraded the Escudo with a bigger 2.5-litre H25A V6 engine with a power output of 995 PS (981 hp; 732 kW) at 8100 rpm and 95 kg⋅m (932 N⋅m; 687 lb⋅ft).

[79] Again, driven by Nobuhiro Tajima, it finished second overall at Pikes Peak in 1996, 1998 and 1999, and won the Queenstown Gold Rush International Hill Climb outright in 1998, 1999 and 2000.