First impressions count. When cars today are so alike in price and specification what are the deciding factors when choosing the ‘right car’? In appraising the new Vitara this question was much in mind. I couldn’t help feeling that were I to buy a new vehicle the Vitara would come near the top of the list. Which begs the question ‘Why?’ What makes it stand out? First, there’s no denying the appeal of the compact SUV: there are plenty of those. With the Vitara we have a car that’s easy on the eye and yet imposing on the road. But what really springs to mind are the words sturdy, chunky, functional and quality. The Vitara on test looked impressively solid in a steely grey colour, dressed as soberly and inconspicuously as any Brummell could desire. There were no sploshes of meretricious plastic chrome and stick-on decals or other trumpery tricks from the merchandising departments armoury of deception. The Vitara is a very honest car: a trustworthy ally in a challenging world.
As I opened the door into the well equipped cabin with its stylish design and quality fixtures and fittings along with adjuncts to comfort and convenience – like automatic air con, sat nav, cruise control, a full length sunroof, a reversing camera…and much more, I was struck by the dignified good taste that combines with spacious and comfortable accommodation.
At the wheel I relished the high driving position and excellent visibility and I enjoyed the sensible disposition of the controls which proved to be intuitive. As you would expect, the car drives very well, rewarding you with good handling, secure but steady responses and a feeling of total controllability, irrespective of the type of road and the condition of the surface. Passengers, too, responded favourably to a ride that was firm without being harsh and it was completely reassuring on twisty sections. The Vitara is a comfortable and practical carriage for today.
An excellent 129PS 1.4 litre 4 cylinder petrol engine has 48 volt mild hybrid assistance and displays all the virtues of the type, with loads of torque when needed for a rapid take-off, hill storming or swift overtaking. The six-speed manual gearbox has a clean and positive action with perfectly spaced ratios: sixth allowing for easy motorway work. You can reach around 120 mph. The quoted overall consumption is 53.2 mpg. Quite how that figure is arrived at is a mystery to me because in urban use I was getting around 58 mpg – and on a long journey I averaged around 68mpg. A gentle ‘bimble’ and you will see 70mpg. For my money, a Vitara represents as good as it gets at the price of £28,999 for this top specification ‘Ultra’ variant. Consider one of these and you are underscoring your own sagacity. There are plenty of imitators around – but what does that tell you?
This compact 5 seat SUV never disappoints. Here is a car designed and conceived to deflect problems before they arrive. A functioning device offering versatility, comfort, style and performance without the vagaries of uncertain outcomes. In short, a solid tool for today’s job of serving the family driver. Everything you ask of it is done with a calm and dependable aplomb that urges you to sing its praises. Here is technological and engineering thoroughness courtesy of one of the world’s outstanding motor manufacturers, whose cars are renowned for reliability.
