Ian Lamming toasts the latest Vitara to come from Suzuki
DO YOU remember Norm, the bar-propping beer enthusiast in the 80s sitcom Cheers?
Dependable, solid, always there to have a drink with you when you need company, a stalwart funny-man, part of the furniture.
Well, Suzuki’s Vitara is a bit like that. Norm in this case could mean average, the bare minimum and nothing more. But it can also mean benchmark, standard-setting, the ‘bar’ that other manufactures have to reach if they are to compete with this lovable SUV.
Vitara is a common site on today’s roads for two reasons. Firstly, they are affordable and great value for money. Secondly, they are built to last so some of the ones you see could actually be quite old.
The latest version has decided to shake it up a bit with a new motor – a full hybrid – and ‘automatic’ gearbox. There’s no clutch pedal but the cogs are actually manual. Don’t worry or overthink it as it drives just like a conventional auto.
The latest engine is full hybrid so there is a self-charging electric motor to support the 1.5 litre petrol. This does three things. In town it will creep along in EV scaring the bejesus out of pedestrians and cyclists which is always good for a laugh; on the open road it kicks in to give the petrol unit more poke, for overtaking and hill climbing; and it allows the petrol to idle giving the Vitara wonderful 50mpg economy, a welcome figure given the world’s energy racketeering we are forced to endure.
So Hybrid is a welcome addition to the range for those reasons alone. On top of that you get a gloriously easy car to live with.
Recognisably Vitara, the Suzuki is beginning to adopt a retro feel to those days of rose-tinted motoring before SUVs took on the looks of an alien spaceship.
Inside has the ambiance of a much-loved slipper. It is warm and welcoming, fits thanks to years of wear and relaxes the driver with easy to use controls.
Tech is creeping in with touchscreen infotainment but it doesn’t overwhelm a self-confessed technophobe because all the main stuff remains buttons, knobs and switches.
Clear clocks contain a little battery symbol which lights up when the hybrid comes alive. Lift off the throttle and hello, there it is, go really slowly and it’s back again. The more you can keep it on the better for your consumption – it becomes obsessive. Braking regenerates even more power sending it back to the electrics.
Ride is refined, handling controlled and grip impressive because the ‘Allgrip’ notation means it is all-wheel-drive. In the dry this sharpens responses and makes the handling sporty. In the wet and cold it improves grip hugely.
Inside is bathed in light thanks to a deep waistline, loads of glass, including a panoramic sunroof. At night the cabin is nicely lit to help fatigue and the new headlights are daylight-replicating LEDs.
Specification is high – adaptive cruise control, automatic air conditioning, DAB radio, Bluetooth, steering wheel controls and more electronic safety kit than you can fit in a road test.
All that and it comes in at under £30K. Now that is something to drink to – cheers.
Fact File
Suzuki Vitara Full Hybrid Allgrip
Engine: 1.5 petrol with electric motor
Power: 115PS
0-62mph: 13.5 secs
Top speed: 111mph
Combined MPG: 48.4
Transmission: ‘Automatic’
CO2 g/km: 132
Price: from £29,299.00
