Image Gallery

Exterior Styling

To say this is a completely new car, Suzuki has done a grand job with the styling. You instantly recognise this as a Jimny thanks to its cutesy take on a rugged off-roader.

That’s not to say that this is a novely car: the Suzuki Jimny proudly displays its off-road capability. There’s plenty of ground clearance, for one. The lower edges of the car are no-frills so they stay out of the way when the going gets tough.

At the front you get circular headlights with separate indicator bulbs, just like on the Suzuki LJ10 from 1970. And the front grille, with vertical openings, can trace its origin back to the SJ10 of the mid-70s.

To the side, the Suzuki Jimny gets 15inch alloy wheels, but these are dwarfed by 195/80 tyres. They may not be proper knobbly offroad tyres, but they do still look like they’d be at home on a gravel track.

Privacy glass brings an element of class to the rugged appearance, while the Kinetic Yellow paint brings a bit a sense of youthful energy. With gloss black roof and door mirrors, there’s a nice contrast going on.

At the back it’s a classic 4×4 recipe, with a side-hinged tailgate complete with spare wheel. For towing purposes this creates a bit of a logistical issue in that the tow bar must clear the spare wheel, resulting in a rather elongated swan neck. Better watch those shins…

Interior Finish

On the inside, the Suzuki Jimny adopts the same concept as it does on the outside: functional with a flourish of retro style.

The seats are very plain. Little in the way of bolstering, and the pattern leaves a lot to be desired. In fact, a bit of mud would give them a bit more character!

The dashboard is as square and boxy as the exterior lines, which is endearing: it looks like is could have been lifted straight out of a car from the mid-70s…

What’s not so pleasant is the amount of hard, scratchy plastics used throughout the cabin. We get it, the Jimny is aiming at ‘functional’, but nonetheless in 2020 standards are higher than cheap materials, even in the cheapest of cars.

There are some upsides. The leather-trimmed steering wheel is a nice touch, bringing a touch of elegance; however slight that may be. In front of this is a set of round dials in square bezels, which is exactly like the headlights. They may be traditional, but at least there is a TFT trip display in between them to bring some modernity.

The star of the cabin is the 7-inch touchscreen which, like the Kinetic Yellow exterior, brings a youthful energy.

To the Suzuki Jimny’s credit, it has a distinctly robust feel. The plastics may be naff, but at least they feel well put-together. And on a car that could be bouncing along a rocky path being shaken about, that’s reassuring.

Engine/Performance

The engine in the new Suzuki Jimny is a 1.5-litre petrol engine. Gone is the smaller 1.3-litre unit from the previous model. But don’t go thinking this bigger engine suddenly turns the Jimny into a performance machine. It doesn’t; not even slightly.

Power of 101PS and torque of 130Nm is not exactly what you’d call plentiful. Power goes to all four wheels via an ALLGRIP ‘PRO’ selectable four-wheel drive system. A 5-speed manual gearbox is standard, while a 4-speed automatic gearbox is optional.

Performance-wise there’s not a lot to tell you: Suzuki doesn’t cite a 0-62mph figure but I can tell you it’s not quick. It is possible, though, because the top speed is a whopping 90mph.

That means the Suzuki Jimny is most at home away from the motorway, where it is noisy and just generally unpleasant. But around town it zips around quite happily.

The ALLGRIP ‘PRO’ system includes three modes: 2H, 4H and 4L. 2H and 4H are rear-wheel and four-wheel drive respectively. 4L engages the low-range transfer box which is a great for serious off-roading.

We haven’t driven the automatic, but expect that the majority of Jimny’s sold will be the manual. It’s actually a decent gearbox, with a solid, robust change.

Ride/Handling

The Suzuki Jimny has a short wheel base and is designed to be a capable off-roader. Both of those things result in compromised on-road handling.

With its high ride height and forgiving suspension, taking corners at any sort of speed involves comical amounts of lean. Thankfully the Jimny can’t is never really going that fast when you get to a corner.

On the motorway things can get a little bit bouncy which, when coupled to the rather noisy engine, makes a long journey anything but refreshing.

It has to be said that the ALLGRIP ‘PRO’ system is brilliant. The Jimny is, and always has been, a proper off-roader. It can overcome some of the toughest obstacles that would halt bigger, more expensive machinery.

And with only 101PS, there is no issue whatsoever in putting it down, whatever the road surface and whatever the weather.

The steering is decidedly vague: you can wiggle the steering wheel a fair amount before any direction change actually occurs. Although to some degree the vague steering is a relief: any sharper and there’s a good change the Suzuki Jimny could tip over…

Economy

When it comes to economy, the Suzuki Jimny starts off with a positive: the fuel consumption. Because the Jimny is compact, it only weighs 1,135kg. As a result the combined fuel consumption is 35.8mpg on the combined WLTP cycle.

In truth, that figure is beatable on a longer drive. Proof? When it arrived to us, the car had averaged 41mpg on the journey up. That’s pretty impressive. That being said, it’s easier to drive economically on the motorway, because it’s too unpleasant to drive quickly.

When it comes to emissions, the Suzuki Jimny emits 154g/km of CO2. VED costs £530 when you register the vehicle, and £145 thereafter.

Those emissions don’t sound too bad on the face of it, but it’s given Suzuki a bit of a headache. You may or may not be aware that new regulation is coming that requires manufacturers to have fleet-average CO2 emissions of 95g/km in 2021.

Ultimately Suzuki can’t make the averages work, and the Jimny will not be on sale after this year; which is a shame. So although the Jimny isn’t particularly expensive to run, it’s being killed off.  At present there are no plans to give it a lower-emission engine.

Practicality

A compact size brings disadvantages when it comes to spaciousness. For starters, the Suzuki Jimny only has four seats. And even then the rear seats are a little bit on the cramped side; even for me at only 5ft7in tall. Kids will be fine, but you can forget full-size grown-ups.

And things only get worse when you come to load the boot. Quite frankly, there isn’t one. Considering the tailgate is pretty large, swinging it open to find the 85 litres of space that awaits feels like wasted energy.

Sure, you can fold down the rear seats, but then the Suzuki Jimny becomes a two-seater. And that does no favours to its appeal on a practical level.

Putting spaciousness aside for the moment – not everyone needs a Transit van after all – the Suzuki Jimny has a lot going for it. It will get you where you need to be; whether that be to the top of a mountain, the bottom of a quarry, or anywhere in between.

And being on the compact side has its uses, too. Supermarket car parks are far less scary when your car isn’t too large for the spaces. And driving through small villages is far less stressful in the Suzuki Jimny than it was in the Ford Ranger Raptor.

That tow bar on the back of the Jimny isn’t just for show, either. It can tow 1,300kg braked, and 350kg unbraked. For a small, light car with a 1.3-litre engine, that’s an impressive feat.

Equipment

There are two trim levels of Suzuki Jimny available. The SZ4 may be the ‘entry level’ model, but it comes with a generous specification.

ALLGRIP ‘PRO’ with selectable 4WD including low ratio is standard in the Jimny, ensuring all models boast the same impressive off-road capabilities. You also get air conditioning, a CD player, Bluetooth connectivity and cruise control.

Move up to the SZ5 model – which is the one we tested – and this specification is bolstered further by the addition of 15-inch alloy wheels, LED headlights, climate control, heated front seats, privacy glass and body-coloured door handles. The infotainment system gains navigation and smartphone link capabilities.

Significant effort has been put into giving the Suzuki Jimny a decent array of safety equipment. All models get Dual Sensor Brake Support (DSBS) which detects risk of collision with other vehicles or pedestrians, warning the driver and even braking autonomously if required.

In addition, there is a lane departure warning system and weaving alert system designed to help the driver stay alert. High beam assist automatically switches between high and low beams at speeds over 25mph.

However despite all this technology the Suzuki Jimny achieved a Euro NCAP rating of only 3 stars. For a modern vehicle complete with these safety systems, that is a little disappointing. When choosing a car for the family safety is an important consideration, and a 3 star rating would make me think twice.

Value For Money

There are not many Suzuki Jimny models to choose from. There is the SZ4 manual, priced at £16,249. Then there is the SZ5 manual and automatic, priced at £18,749 and £19,749 respectively.

Actually, it’s a little more complicated than that. You see the Suzuki Jimny is a bit of an icon, and has a loyal fan base. As a result, demand for this new model currently exceeds supply. The waiting list for new cars is currently around a year which, considering the Jimny won’t be sold next year, creates another headache for Suzuki.

But what that means for purchasers is that you can expect decent resale values. If you have a car on order, don’t panic. Suzuki has promised to increase the allocation coming to the UK as it is determined to fulfil customer orders.

But if you’re in two minds with this car, you haven’t got long to decide. I’d have to suggest you buy one while you still can.

Sure, it’s not perfect. If you need a spacious family car, or if you have more than two kids, then the Jimny is unlikely to fulfil your needs. But if you want a car with a go-anywhere attitude but don’t have an unlimited budget, the Suzuki Jimny is hard to beat.

It has a fun sense of style, and if you pick a colour like Kinetic Yellow it will stand out and turn heads wherever you go. What it lacks in refinement, the Jimny makes up for in charm and character; both of which it has in abundance.

Facts and Figures

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Image Gallery

Exterior Styling

The previous Suzuki Swift Sport received one key criticism, that it looked too much like a stock Swift. So, have Suzuki addressed the haters? From first glances at the new one, it would appear so.

So, what’s different you ask? To the front you’ll find an aggressive carbon-effect bumper, along with two LED running day-time lights. The front end is rather small, but that’s to highlight how light and nimble the Swift Sport is.

To the side you’ll find lowered skirts, leading to a more profound wheel arch. The rear bumper looks like it has done a few squats at the gym, making the car appear wider in stance. Again, splashed with some rather convincing carbon-effect plastics.

To spice things up, Suzuki has thrown dual exhaust tailpipes either side of the rear bumper. But don’t be fooled by their appearance, the sound is virtually non-existent… more on that a bit later.

A rear spoiler finishes off a pretty sporty appearance. The Swift Sport sits on top of 17-inch black/polished alloy wheels.

Our test car was finished in a rather striking ‘Champion Yellow’ which certainly makes you stand out from the crowd. We think it suited the Swift Sport, being fun is what it’s all about. And nothing says ‘not serious’ like bright yellow!

Interior Finish

Jump inside the Swift Sport and you’ll realise that it’s not all stock again, winning!! Inside you’re first drawn towards the red detailing throughout the front dash. The detailing continues that ‘sporty’ feeling from the exterior. It serves to remind you that this is no standard Swift.

The general finish of the interior is on a par with other Suzuki models. Functional, yes, but not of the level of quality and finish found with the market leaders. That being said, there are some soft-touch plastics around that red detailing, which is great to see.

The Swift Sport comes with bucket seats, embossed with the ‘Sport’ logo in the centre. The seats are most certainly bolstered, keeping all your body parts in place when cornering. The only downside with the seats is the material, a little bit cheap to touch. That said, they are comfortable to sit on during longer drives.

Up front, you’ll find the usual equipment in its logical place. There’s a 7-inch infotainment screen in the middle of the dash. The driver gets a little multi-function screen between the dials. This details the car’s performance and figures. You can also change the display to show a G-force reading, cool hey!

Engine/Performance

So here is where the old car got interesting. The previous model featured a 1.6 litre petrol engine developing 135 PS. It was a fun, revvy engine and made the car a bargain given its price point.

For 2018, Suzuki have changed the recipe book and thrown in a slightly more powerful 1.4 litre turbocharged petrol engine. The new engine serves a modest 140 PS, but a large increase in torque to 230Nm.

Although only a slight increase in power over the previous model, it feels a lot more from behind the wheel. With the old car being naturally-aspirated, you really had to work the 6-speed gearbox hard. Only when you pushed to the very limits did it have real urgency. Now though, the Swift Sport picks up at pretty much any revs, making it feel so much livelier and nippy.

The Swift Sport can shift from 0-62 mph in 8.1 seconds. Not exactly hot hatch you could argue, but quick enough to be described as ‘warm’ for sure.

However, you’d be surprised once you’re behind the wheel. Due to the Swift Sports weight, and that increase in torque, the car really shifts. In fact, I’d like to think that the official 0-62 time is beatable…

The only other thing to note, is the lack of engine noise from the engine and exhausts. To be honest, you can hear the morning birds tweeting over the noise this car makes, most disappointing for an otherwise lively and exciting car to drive.

Ride/Handling

I’ve mentioned a few times that the Swift Sport has been to the gym and shredded some weight. So how much has it actually lost? 70 kg to be exact, taking the car down to a mere 975 kg. For a modern car packed with safety technology that’s utterly remarkable.

The engineers at Suzuki have also played around with the rear of the car, designing a new rear trailing arms to reduce body roll and increase stability. Tided with the drop-in body weight and the car is a dream to drive in the corners.

Once you’ve come to grips with the car, the Suzuki screams to turn in late, and you can be as aggressive as you fancy. Most corners can be taken at a higher gear that what you’d expect. The front-axle likes to grab onto any corner and the body won’t roll as weight is none existent.

What this means is that you can drive the car like the clappers at any speed. If you’re driving in a 30 zone, why not take all the corners at 30?

However, there are some caveats. Suzuki may have diligently hollowed the steering rack to save weight but it’s brought some pitfalls. The steering is light on feel but artificially heavy when under load, and it can feel rather confusing.

To top it off the six-speed manual gear box is nothing to shout about. It’s rather notchy, and doesn’t have the rugged, tight nit feeling that a sporty car should have. It’s disappointing, and takes the edge off an exciting driving experience.

Economy

Surprisingly, despite the increase in performance, the new Swift Sport boasts improved economy and emissions. Officially the new car can do a combined run of 47.1 mpg, whilst only emitting 135g/km of CO2. To be honest, we can vouch for the official figures being attainable too. The Swift Sport hardly eats fuel, like it’s on a crash diet.

And the crash diet is most likely part of the answer. One of the biggest factors to kill economy is weight. So by making the new Swift Sport lighter, Suzuki has improved its efficiency potential.

The improvements are down to Suzuki’s new line of ‘boosterjet’ engines. Adding a turbo-charger can mean a smaller, lighter engine which will boost economy without hindering performance.

To be frank, this isn’t a sporty car that’s going to burn a hole in your pocket. So that surely a good thing, right?

One point to note. The previous Swift Sport was more consistent with its economy return, even when driving in a more spirited fashion. The downside of the new car, as with any turbo car, is that the more aggressive you are with the throttle, you’ll notice that economy slipping away.

Practicality

Ok, so at one time a small ‘warm’ hatch wouldn’t be expected to score well in practicality. But these days we’re seeing more practical small hatches, so it’s becoming another requirement for any car.

The 2018 model has a fractionally longer wheelbase compared to its predecessor. In summary, that means more interior and boot space. The Swift Sport now comes only as a 5-door. The rear door handles are hidden, to minimise the visual impact of the rear doors. It’s especially hilarious when your wife tries to tilt the front seat as she didn’t see the rear doors!

Space in the rear is also pretty generous, so fitting four adults in the car wouldn’t be a problem for shorter journeys. Unless you’re all 6ft5in (thankfully we’re not!). The driving position is spot on, and the seat can be easily adjusted to suit.

Round to the back, the boot has been increased by 54 litres to 265 litres. That might sound like an impressive increase, but most rivals reach well above 300 litres. The opening of the boot is good, and allows good usability. The rear 60:40 splitting seats can increase the overall capacity to 579 litres for larger items.

Equipment

As we’ve all come to know with the Japanese, they love to give you a lot of kit for you’re money. Given the base price of the Suzuki Swift Sport, it must be a big list?

We’ll the answer is a certain yes! Suzuki include LED front and rear lights, keyless entry and go, a 7-inch sat-nav touchscreen with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. All the equipment you need for your in car entertainment; DAB radio, USB, Aux connection and Bluetooth. A reversing camera, electric and heated door mirrors.

You’ll also be surprised that the list doesn’t stop there, The Swift Sport includes a significant amount of safety equipment. Suzuki have thrown in an advanced forward detection system to reduce the likelihood of a front collision. Adaptive cruise control, lane departure warning, lane departure prevention, ‘weaving alert’ function and a high-beam assist.

As you can probably tell, we are mightily impressed with the level of equipment on off. However, it does come at a cost, and that cost is the price (but we’ll come onto that shortly). The key thing to note, is that everything you see here, comes as standard.

Value For Money

As you’ve probably gathered throughout this review, the Suzuki Swift Sport is a bit of an eye raiser. The car comes in at £17,999, and whilst you can add some optional extras these are minimal cost and relate to just cosmetic features.

The key thing that stood out, was the price of the previous Swift Sport. It was a fun family hatchback, that came in under £14,000. These days you can’t get much car for that price.

So why the sudden jump in price? That’s largely down to the ‘BoosterJet’ engine hidden under the bonnet. Turbocharged engines require a more complex manufacturing process, and costs therefore go up! But turbocharged engines have become a necessity to drive down CO2 emissions and improve economy. There is a global trend for downsizing and turbocharging.

The new Swift Sport also has a more comprehensive equipment list, particularly to ensure the new Swift Sport is as safe as can be. So a price rise to facilitate this was inevitable.

So, loosing the cheap price point means the Suzuki Swift Sport starts to compete against some of the proper hot hatches. The one that stands out for us is the all new Ford Fiesta ST which comes in at £19,125. All things considering, we know which one we would be choosing. You may not get the same kit, but you’d get 200PS, a more focused drive and undoubtedly better residuals.

However, taking a step back, there is clear promise with the Swift Sport. You can only appreciate the drive and fun factor once you’ve sat behind the wheel; it oozes charm. There is so much equipment up its sleeves, and economy is rather surprising for a car in its class. All in a car weighing less than a tonne… bravo Suzuki.

Facts and Figures

The post REVIEW – Suzuki Swift Sport appeared first on Simply Motor.

I say it time and time again, but in the world of family cars; the Crossover is king. But what frustrates me is when a crossover is purely style, with no capability to back it up. That’s where the Suzuki SX4 S-Cross comes in. I have tested one previously, and found it to be a no-nonsense 4WD family car. There’s a facelift version out now, and it arrives sporting new engines as well as revised styling. So would it still manage to bring capability to the party, and would the facelift give it more kerb appeal? I grabbed a SZ5 for a week to put it to the test. Read on to see what I thought.
Looks – 5/10

The SX4 S-Cross has been facelifted, but this may a case for the American reality show Botched. I can’t really dance around the subject; this is an ugly car. The front end is flat-faced, and the oversized grille looks like its snarling chrome teeth at you. The bumper and headlights have some nice angular features, but all you can see is that grille. Down the side the plastic cladding adds a rugged edge, and the 17-inch polished alloy wheels sit nicely in the arches. The smooth line from the front headlight turns into a sharp, protruding line by the time it reaches the tail light. The rear is a little more conventional, with a smooth bumper and more plastic cladding down below. Silver roof rails and a panoramic sunroof complete the exterior styling.

The interior on the SX4 S-Cross also leaves a little to be desired. The seats are leather, yes. But the quality of said leather is somewhat lacking. The plastics are scratchy, and create a sea of black in front of the driver. There is a flash of gloss black here, and a touch of silver trim there, but it does little to detract from the overall feel of the cabin. There were also a fair few squeaks from the trim when on the move. It’s not all doom and gloom though. The multimedia screen sits nicely in the centre of the dashboard and, being a touch-screen system, avoids a cluttered feel with buttons everywhere. The dials are nice and simple; black with a blue accent. The aforementioned panoramic roof also helps alleviate the darkness of the plastics by letting a great deal of light into the cabin.

Handling/Performance – 7/10

The engine in my test car was the same 1.4-litre Boosterjet petrol engine found in the Vitara S, a car I rated rather highly. And on paper you may wonder why. It produces 140PS and 220Nm of torque. Through the 6-speed automatic gearbox that equates to a 0-62mph dash of 10.2 seconds and a top speed of 124mph. It doesn’t sound all too inspiring, but this engine is actually a gem. It loves to rev, and feels pretty nippy when you cut it loose. But it has a tall 6th gear, and that keeps revs down on the motorway. But even at low revs, and with the little 1,400cc unit under the bonnet the SX4 S-Cross doesn’t feel underpowered. I really like this engine, and pray that Suzuki plans to explore its capabilities some more. Give it 170-180PS and stick it in a Swift… now there’s an exciting prospect.

So how does the SX4 S-Cross drive? This is a tall car, and it feels it from behind the wheel. There is a degree of lean into the corners. The steering is a little on the numb side; lacking both weight and responsiveness in its feel. But despite this, you can always point the Suzuki exactly where you want it. The ALLGRIP 4WD system is very capable, and maintains the highest level of traction whatever the conditions. Even on the wettest roads you would struggle to slip a wheel. The Suzuki is a comfortable cruiser, with a supple suspension setup and a decent depth to the tyres. You get 180mm ground clearance, and I daresay that the SX4 S-Cross could handle itself on a cross-country trail. But (as is the case with most crossovers) it will most likely never see more than a gravel car park. I’d be interested to properly test the limits of the ALLGRIP system. All I need is a ski slope…

Economy – 9/10

You will, by now, have seen the various stories about how diesel cars are limiting life expectancies in the major cities to 32 years, and how they are single-handedly making East Lancashire wetter. The whole anti-diesel movement seems especially pointless when it was the government (along with environmental beardos) pushing them in the first place. Nevertheless I digress. Smaller, turbocharged petrol engines will be increasing in popularity in the near future, so the 1.4-litre Boosterjet unit in the SX4 S-Cross is just right for the job. With the 6-speed automatic it will achieve combined fuel consumption of 49.5mpg and with CO2 emissions of 128g/km road tax is currently £160 in the  (free first year). Considering this is a sizeable car with 4WD those figures are respectable, and ensure the Suzuki is kind to the old purse strings.

Practicality – 7/10

It doesn’t take long behind the wheel to realise that the SX4 S-Cross is designed with easy living in mind. There’s a decent boot for family possessions. The ALLGRIP 4WD system is a very good one, with a specific mode for snow. And because I tested the SZ5, my test car was certainly fully loaded. Satellite navigation, DAB radio, heated front seats, keyless entry and go, adaptive cruise control, reverse parking camera and radar emergency braking are just some of the features. So on paper at least, the SX4 S-Cross should be an ideal companion. But unfortunately I can’t stop there. The legroom in the back isn’t fantastic. And what’s more, the panoramic roof- with its retractable blind- limits headroom. Significantly. A car like this should be able to fit even tall adults in the back, and the SX4 S-Cross might struggle. This, and the squeaking interior trim, just take the edge off the Suzuki being the ideal family car.

Fun – 4/10

The Boosterjet engine is a lot of fun. It feels faster and more powerful than the paper figures suggest. I revs well, urging you to stretch the Suzuki’s legs. The 4WD grip means you can push the limits on even wet, slippery roads. But despite this, the SX4 S-Cross never feels like a driver’s car; the steering is numb and there’s a degree of roll in the corners. And then, to ruin it completely, you’ll drive through a town and catch your reflection in a shop window. It’s a scary thought. There’s a no-nonsense feel to the Suzuki, and that lack of frills translates to a lack of thrills. It will be a tough sell to your friends in the pub, and once they lay eyes on it you can all but guarantee you will be on the receiving end of some ‘banter’.

Concluding Remarks

After spending a week with the Suzuki, I have to admit to being a little underwhelmed. The new styling is, I’m sorry, awful. The front end, in particular, is vomit-inducing. Inside the no-frills cabin feels cheap, and the squeaks and rattles from the trim become a nuisance on a longer drive. On the other hand, the Boosterjet engine is a gem, and is the right blend of power and refinement for a car like the SX4 S-Cross. The 4WD system ensures there is adequate grip whatever the weather, and the list of standard equipment is comprehensive to say the least. The SZ5 model I tested came in at £25,349. That is cheaper than rivals (the Seat Ateca I tested a few weeks ago was £35k), but it is also expensive enough to demand higher levels of build quality. For more information head over to the Suzuki website, or see a local dealer to arrange a test drive. And I will leave on this; the Suzuki SX4 S-Cross is an unusual beast, opting for substance over style.

Total Score – 32/50

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The new Suzuki Vitara exploded onto our TV screens in some very bright colours, and the country seemed to take notice. Well the latest spec to go on sale is the Vitara S. This features a brand new engine in what should be a sporty package with Vitara practicality. It sounds like a good mix, so it was with pleasure I took the keys to one for a week. Ant and Dec seem to like the Suzuki on the telly, so how would I find the Vitara S? I set off on a drive to find out.

Looks – 7/10

The new Vitara is a bit of a looker, and the S takes this to a higher level. There are many small touches on this car that go a long way. On the outside you get 17-inch black alloy wheels, but these didn’t suit the black paint; it was all a bit too dark. The front end is bold and aggressive, with the honeycomb grille and sculpted front bumper housing LED daytime running lights. On the S there is a read headlamp surround, which is subtle nod to this being the sporty model. Silver mirrors offer a similar hint. At the back there’s a roof spoiler, although for me there should be an exhaust tip too. Privacy glass is a nice touch, although I think the whole car would look better in a silver or red.

On the inside the Vitara S was a bit hit and miss. I like the half leather seats and with plenty of red stitching on the seats, steering wheel and gear gaiter there’s a sporty atmosphere to the cabin. The red accenting extends to the heater vent and dial surrounds. On the dashboard the addition of grey and gloss black trim offers a nice contrast. However some of the interior plastics weren’t so nice. In particular the door trims were scratchy and not in keeping with the rest of the interior. Some of the switchgear feels a bit cheap too. The media screen looks good though, and I quite like the presence of an analogue clock; a small but effective touch of class.

Handling/Performance – 8/10

The engine in the Vitara S is a new one, and it’s called the 1.4-litre BoosterJet. Sounds like it should be a fighter plane! This is a 1.4-litre petrol engine with a direct-injection turbocharger. It produces 140PS and 220Nm of torque. With the 6-speed manual gearbox 0-62mph is dealt with in 10.2seconds, and the top speed is 124mph. That doesn’t exactly sound like a BoosterJet, but this engine is really good. It feels much sprightlier than the figures suggest, and revs really well. Keep it higher in the rev range and it feels rather quick. With the amount of power on offer at motorway speeds you’re constantly surprised that this is only a 1.4-litre; it cruises very well.

The Vitara S gets Suzuki’s ALLGRIP 4-wheel drive system, which gives a sure-footed feet to the handling. Even in greasy or wet conditions you can plant your right foot and have confident the Suzuki will keep you heading in the right direction. The Vitara S rides well; naturally there is some pitch on corner entry, but that’s to be expected when you get a tall car like this. The seats give good cornering support and the steering feels responsive. And yet the Suzuki is comfortable. We went for a trip with 4 adults and a child in the Vitara S, and everyone was comfortable over the motorway and A-road elements. Bravo Suzuki.

Economy – 9/10

Thanks to its small engine, start/stop technology and some clever engineering in terms of weight saving, the Vitara S is pretty economical. This is a big car with a 4WD system with a kerb weight of just 1,210kg. That’s impressive when you consider a 5dr Fiesta Titanium is around 1,050kg. Combined fuel consumption is 52.3mpg which will save you money at the pumps. The CO2 emissions of 127g/km put the Vitara S in VED band D. That’s £110 a year road tax, and free in the first year. Not too bad for a sizeable 4WD.

Practicality – 10/10

As I mentioned earlier the Vitara was more than comfortable enough with 4 adults and a child in. you could probably get 3 adults in the back but this might not be the most comfortable on a long drive. The car itself would be though. It eats up the miles, and the higher driving position makes motorway driving nicer. The boot is large, and there’s a lot of headroom for those who are less vertically challenged than myself. Standard specification on the S includes keyless entry and go, satellite navigation, rear parking camera, adaptive cruise control with radar braking, DAB digital radio and LED projector headlamps. It’s great to live with, and copes with everything from a trip to the shops to a rainy B-road excursion with ease.

Fun – 8/10

So is the Vitara good fun? Well I think it is. It has character, and that makes it a likeable car. It’s not the fastest car, nor is it the most luxurious. But it’s gutsy. The engine performs beyond its cubic capacity. The technology outpaces its price tag, and the whole car is a credit to the new direction Suzuki is taking. Surprisingly I found myself taking the scenic route home in the Vitara S. I enjoyed the B-road drive; dropping a gear or two and exploring the outer realms of the rev range. That’s not what I expected of the Vitara S and that surprise factor certainly puts a smile on your face.

Concluding Remarks

So that’s my week with the Vitara S. Suzuki’s new fun take on the compact SUV is certainly a great car for the family. It is packed with technology, and the new BoosterJet engine is a true delight. And then we get to the crux of the matter; price. The Vitara S starts at £20,899 on the road, and I think that represents excellent value for money. Factor in a 3-year, 60,000-mile warranty and it looks a good package. If you’re looking for a new family car and want some 4WD capability then this could be the car for you. So why not pop into a local dealer or log on to the Suzuki website for more information. The Suzuki Vitara S; epitomising the ‘S’ in ‘SUV’.

Total Score – 42/50

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