NOW in its 25th year on the UK's roads the Suzuki Vitara is one of the original ‘soft roaders' and continues to hold its own in an increasingly crowded marketplace.

Nevertheless, it doesn't do to rest on your laurels for too long and the Japanese car maker has given the current Grand Vitara a bit of a spruce up.

The front end has been brought up to date with a reworked bumper, grille and fog lamps while at the rear the tailgate-mounted spare wheel - a trademark of the original Vitara which had been axed in favour of a the increasingly common puncture repair system - has made a welcome comeback due, in part at least, to public demand.

And while design-wise the Grand Vitara is still no Kia Sportage, it has classic SUV looks with strong, solid and reassuring lines.

The range consists of three-door versions with 1.6 or 2.4-litre petrol engines and five-door versions with the 2.4 petrol or a 1.9-litre turbo-diesel power pack.

The oil burner I drove is the most practical option though, not least because the latest revamp has also seen some tweaks under the bonnet to improve its efficiency and economy.

As a result carbon emissions have dropped from 179 to 174g/km, which seems modest but does mean that this version drops one road tax bracket, down to band H. Average fuel economy is also increased from 41.5 to 42.8 miles per gallon.

The diesel also offers impressively durable performance on the road with plenty of torque available across a wide rev range helping to make the Vitara a competent tow car, with a braked capacity of 2,000kg.

Acceleration off the mark is not spectacular but once on the move throttle response is swift and decisive. The five-speed manual transmission is a little heavy though, and a sixth gear would make motorway cruising a little more relaxed.

But for a car of its size the Grand Vitara offers impressive body control and some nimble handling thanks to its responsive and accurate steering and firm suspension, and it's sophisticated 4x4 running gear.

All Grand Vitaras come with a permanent 4x4 system as standard which offers some genuine off road capabilities. The 2.4-litre petrol and this diesel also benefit from selectable low-gear modes and differential lock to help cope with snow, mud and some of the more challenging terrains off-road.

While you'll be able to get well off the beaten track in your Vitara though, you will do so in saloon car style.

The cabin is bright and roomy with good head and leg room for five adults while the elevated SUV ride height and a good amount of glass real estate provide a commanding all-round view.

The boot is also plenty big enough for family needs and can be expanded by folding down the rear seats. They don't fold flat, however, and although they can be tipped forward too, loading and carrying longer bulky items is not straightforward.

The quality of the interior though has improved dramatically with the 2013 face-lift - especially in this 1.9 diesel model which is only available with the top-of-the-range SZ5 trim.

That does makes this the most expensive version in the range but you get some top-end fixtures and fittings for your money.

Standard equipment includes such bells and whistles as wood veneers on the centre console and door armrests, leather upholstery, heated front seats, rear privacy glass, an electric sunroof, automatic air conditioning and cruise control.

There's also an impressive and easy-to-use infotainment system, incorporating satnav, which is operated via a 6.1 inch touchscreen and also boasts voice activation, Bluetooth and USB connectivity including iPhone and iPod.

Six airbags, stability control and ventilated rear disc brakes - which return to optimum performance quicker if the vehicle passes through deep water - all help to take care of safety.

All told it's a pretty comprehensive package which, even at this range-topping level, is fairly competitively priced and is certainly worthy of consideration for any families who like to get off the beaten track quite often.