By Patrick James on 2015-11-15 - The author has been a motoring writer for more than 16 years. Formerly motoring editor at the Coventry Telegraph, he now produces motoring copy, on new car launches and road tests on a freelance basis.
Suzuki Vitara 1.6
ALLGRIP SZ5
IT could be argued that Suzuki was the pioneer of the SUV when the Vitara first made an appearance back in1988,
A slightly ungainly looking vehicle was just that bit different and offered decent four wheel drive capability. There have been many versions, including the bigger Grand Vitara but Suzuki reliability remained a constant.
At the 2014 Paris Motor Show the firm went back to the future, uveiling its new small SUV to the world with optional ALLGRIP intelligent four wheel drive and petrol and diesel engines that offer low CO2 emissions as well as frugal fuel economy.
It went on sale in the UK last April in SZ4, SZ-T and SZ5 grades and available in two and for wheel drive. Priced from a very competitive £13,999, it offers excellent kit levels and seriously economical engines.
Entry level SZ4 feature seven airbags, 16-inch alloy wheels, DAB Radio with USB and Bluetooth connectivity, cruise control with speed limiter, auto air conditioning, front and rear electric windows.
It is now anything but ungainly looking rugged, but stylish, with high goundclearance, sloping roofline with integrated roof rails, clamshell bonnet, largebumpers and LED headlamps with blue projector covers, depending on model.
The optional Rugged styling pack offers extra chrome trim, a tailgate spoiler or tougher skid plates.
Inside the car is smart and uncomplicated. It lacks the classy soft touch finish, which is an omission on this model, which costs more than £20,000.
But it does have some neat touches like the classy analogue clock on the centre of the dash and the central touchscreen which controls a number of major functions including infotainment and navigation. Other instrumentation feels sturdy and logical and is easy to use. The seats, leather in this case, are comfortable and the commanding driving position will please most.
Like most SUVs it is practical with good head and legroom throughout.
A decent-sized boot offers 375 litres of space, increasing to 1,120 with the rear seats folded. There is also extra space under the boot floor cover, with various oddment holders throughout the car.
It looks good and is practical, with excellent ride and handling. It feels well planted despite its higher groundclearance, ironing out the bumps on the worst of roads. It is capable off road, more than capable on muddy tracks or farms allowing the ALLGRIP to provide grip on wet or snowbound roads.
Best of all is the economy. The 118bhp 1.6-litre engine has a claimed economy of around 50.4mpg and 134g/km with the manual gearbox and 49.5mpg and 138g/km with the automatic and those are figures you would never have dream at from a petrol engine just a few years ago. The only slight downside is that it can begin to labour a bit when fully laden, lacking the extra torque of the diesel.
Safety systems are impressive. Seven airbags, electronic stability control and a tyre pressure monitoring system are standard across the range with SZ5 cars also getting adaptive cruise control and a Radar Brake System, which monitors the road ahead and warns the driver or even applies the brakes if it detects a collision is imminent.
It is also available with the 1.6-litre DDiS engines, also with 118bhp and CO2 emissions of 106g/km.
Suzuki Vitara 1.6 ALLGRIP SZ5
Price: £20,299
Mechanical: 118bhp, 1,586cc, 4cyl petrol engine driving four wheels wheels via 5-speed manual gearbox
Max Speed: 112mph
0-62mph: 12 seconds
Combined MPG: 50.4
Insurance Group: 11
C02 emissions: 130g/km
Bik rating: 21%
Warranty: 3yrs/62,000 miles
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