Now three months old, despite its glaringly white paint finish, I have managed to resist applying black gaffer tape in a ‘UN’ layout, mostly because it is not an SUV, is a crossover and I am not on an international humanitarian mission. The simple truth is that I placed my money where my mouth is. I have such a fondness for the current Vitara model and it never ceases to satisfy my demands of it.
It is a workhorse and the flexibility of its flop forwards rear seats has already been appreciated on several occasions. A sensibly wide hatchback aperture and a boot floor that is almost level with the rear bumper ensures that loading it is never a chore. Yet, in its other role as a people-mover, as with other Suzuki models, there is cabin space in abundance both fore and aft, notably for the taller driver. A good range of both driver’s seat and steering column adjustability ensures such a supportive driving position that, even on a non-stop trip back from South Wales to my home in Lincolnshire, I emerged relaxed and capable of driving another 240-miles.
Its built-in sat-nav system has proved to be a genuine boon, because apart from its Post Code entry facility, I have taken to trusting its traffic snarl-up avoidance service. While barrelling along the M42, just south of Birmingham, the voice instruction suggested taking the next slip-road. Unusually for me, I followed its advice and, despite adding a negligible 4.4-miles to my route, it ensured that I avoided a nasty crash at the road’s link with the M40.
All of the latest Suzuki Vitaras feature a ‘soft-touch’ moulded dashboard, which goes a long way towards refining the cabin. The teensy, 1.0-litre, three-cylinder turbo-petrol engine is identical to the unit fitted to my previous Suzuki Baleno. It makes highly efficient use of its 109bhp and simply cannot be heard, even when pushing it to the limit in the gears. I have clocked it at a respectable 9.9s for the 0-60mph dash, although I have not yet discovered its 124mph top speed. Perhaps more important is the average fuel return since collecting the car, which is sitting currently at 48.9mpg, a figure that I believe is exceptionally good.
Having made a personal, determined switch away from mobile phones, I can tell you that some of my passengers have appreciated the easy/immediate touchscreen linkups for their phones of either Apple, or Android, formats. One of the USB ports provides a permanent link to my iPod music collection and offers the full range of connectivity that can be altered by either voice control, or by clicking the appropriate button on the steering wheel. The car has had its first minor service and will not see the dealership for another nine months for its first proper service. Low-cost fully-comp insurance cover (£200 through LV=) is another bonus.
