THE new Suzuki Vitara 4x4 with its latest hybrid technology is a sign of things to come from this Japanese brand which consistently punches above it weight

It learned a lot when launching the first hybrid technology in 2016 and building on that with the added benefit of its strong and impressive all-wheel-drive experience which is available throughout the Suzuki range of cars means that the latest Vitara is a very strong offering in the market.

Allgrip all-wheel-drive adds £1,800 to the SZ5 price of the standard two-wheel-drive models.

It's highly equipped with the latest safety aids, is comfortable if not as roomy as some rivals, has excellent soft-road and modest off-road ability and now gets the latest 1.4 Boosterjet petrol engine combined with a thumping 48-volt electric motor which acts as a supercharger and gives a very linear feel to the acceleration.

It means emissions are some 20 per cent below the previous model while providing more pulling power and lower fuel consumption overall on the new WLTP fuel tests. That will cut tax and fuel bills.

The new and higher-powered Suzuki system consists of a 48V lithium-ion battery, Integrated Starter Generator motor - known as ISG - and a 48V-12V (DC/DC) converter to power components requiring lower voltage including lights, audio and air conditioning.

Standard equipment for all models includes multiple airbags, dual sensor brake support, blind spot monitor, rear cross-traffic alert, traffic sign recognition and adaptive cruise control, dual-zone auto air conditioning and front and rear electric windows. For driver convenience there is also Bluetooth and smartphone linking.

SZ5 trim adds polished alloys, suede upholstery with keyless entry and full-length sunroof.

This revised Boosterjet 1.4-litre engine has been designated as K14D and incorporates a new electric Variable Valve Timing system for the intake valves as well as new design fuel injectors and a higher pressure fuel pump. The exhaust camshaft side is controlled via a conventional hydraulic VVT actuator.

It's a good performer with a smoother power delivery than previous models and while its not a performance SUV it has a decent turn of speed and a light clutch with neat gearchange action to make the most of the developing power.

I liked the footbrake's progressive action and power increase but was less impressed by a conventional parking brake which really needed to be hauled up to hold on our regular test hill. The steering circle was tight and light but with reasonable feedback at speed and no vibration of kick-back.

Ride quality was reasonably good over all surfaces, firm over the worse sections of potholed Tarmac, with little body roll and no real pitching or dipping, but you could always hear the suspension working with a rumble from the tyres.

It's a five seater with a good sized boot which doubles capacity when the rear seat-backs fold away. Its easy to load the boot and also for occupants to climb into the cabin.

The cabin is a little too dull for my liking with little relief on the dark plastic apart from a silver-dot fascia trim on the test car, but everything comes to hand very easily on the wheelspokes, fascia or console, and the systems work well. It's much the same with the infotainment display and controls, a modest sized screen with touch features and some basic graphics.

Heating and ventilation controls are thankfully on a separate panel beneath this display panel so you don't have to fiddle with touchscreen settings which can be distracting.

Even the drive mode control was a simple rotary switch just behind the gear-lever with lock button next to it so it was elementary to use with clearly marked settings.

Apart from the tyre and suspension noises the Suzuki Vitara Allgrip was a fairly quiet car, the engine wasn't unduly noisy and it did not suffer from much wind or other mechanical noises.

With the sophistication of the powertrain, the quality feel to the seating and lack of noise you really felt like you were in a premium brand model, except for the shortage of room and the dull interior.