2012 Kia Cee’d 1.6 GDI DCT ‘4’ Tech FULL ROAD TEST

No this isn’t the latest premium offering from Audi or BMW, its Kia’s latest addition the second generation Cee’d. The original was the first model in the Korean giant’s line-up to really make established rivals stand up and take notice. It was a superb all-rounder that majored on value and simple design intertwined with a driving experience that was really very pleasant. This new Cee’d therefore has a lot to live up to especially as most rivals have now moved upmarket. Read on to find out if it’s any good.

It’s a right looker isn’t it? Arguably this is Kia’s finest design so far that cleverly manages to look high-end and individual at the same time. The front end sits low with a much more pronounced “tiger nose” grill with smooth sweeping projector headlights and metallic effect fog light surrounds. The side profile is equally high-class with its rising waistline and chrome framed glass area. It is worth mentioning though that this is the top spec ‘4’ Tech trim level which has the biggest wheel rims and plenty of shiny bits. Perhaps the least appealing aspect is the rear that looks a tad bland but is lifted by the sporty oval tailpipe.

Open one of the substantial feeling doors and you will find a thoroughly luxurious cabin. The design itself is very appealing borrowing much from the larger Optima. The centre console is nicely angled toward the driver bringing everything within easy reach. Build quality is unlike any other Kia before; everything is made from well chosen, quality materials that sit very well together especially with the two-tone leather of the example we tried. Cabin space is generous by class standards with lots of useful storage areas, good rear head and legroom and a generous boot.  That said rearward visibility could be better.

If you like your gadgets then the ‘4’ Tech is the model for you. It comes absolutely stuffed with everything you could ever want…and more! Standard equipment includes the usual dual-zone climate control, heated leather memory seats, rear parking camera, satellite navigation, power fold mirrors, automatic lights and wipers and cruise control to name a few. On top of this you also get Bluetooth and USB connectivity for the stereo with audio streaming and Kia’s Parallel Park Assist, Lane Departure Warning System, Flex Steer, ambient lighting and best of all, a simply brilliant heated steering wheel. The Cee’d also greets you when you get in and out via the standard fit LCD TFT high definition display ingeniously integrated into the speedo.

With talented rivals such as Ford’s superb Focus this Kia has to be good to drive to succeed. Largely it is. Although based on the same platform as the previous car with independent suspension at each corner this Cee’d has been completely retuned. It rides incredibly well even on the 17” alloys on our car managing to smother any imperfection in its path. It is also more refined than you would expect with almost a complete lack of wind or tyre roar. It handles well too feeling neutral until really pushed with plenty of grip and well controlled body roll. Undoubtedly enthusiastic drivers will find the Flex Steer system over assisted in Normal mode and even more artificial in Sport or Comfort mode making it difficult to judge what the front wheels are doing.
 

Our car came fitted with Kia’s first ever dual clutch automatic transmission called DCT which impressed us. Gear changes weren’t quite as speedy as Volkswagen’s DSG but were still very quick making the most of the 133bhp on offer. Gearchanges can also be made via the flappy paddles for a little more control. There is also a Sport mode which not only changes the speedo digits to italics but hangs onto gears for longer and tidies up throttle responses.  The Cee’d can reach 60mph in 10.4 seconds but in reality it feels much quicker than this. We really liked the relaxed nature of the engine and gearbox combination that always seemed to have enough grunt for most situations. In return we managed around 30mpg which is a little disappointing and 140g/km of co2 could be better. 

Words and Photos by Rob McSorley

Price as tested: £23,795 

Engine: 1.6 16v 133bhp - 0-60mph: 10.4secs - Maximum Speed: 121 mph - 

Economy: 35.3mpg (urban) –57.6mpg (extra-urban), 46.3mpg (combined) - Emissions: 140g/km (Band E) - VED (12 months): £120 

Dimensions: Length: 4,310mm - Width: 1,780mm - Height: 1,470mm - Wheelbase: 2,650mm 

*data from Kia UK

The Verdict

Not only is the new Cee’d better than the old model but it’s arguably the best Kia yet. It has the looks, comfort, refinement and technology to match the very best as well as a very accommodating cabin. Coupled with Kia’s superb warranty it’s a tantalising package. However we wish the driving experience felt more involving and despite all of the kit on board our ‘4’ Tech £23,795 is a lot of money for a c-segment car, especially one with a Kia badge even if it is built as well as this. We suspect that trim levels lower down in the range will make more sense, especially when equipped with Kia’s superb diesel engines. Overall the Cee’d is very impressive, just a little less than we expected.

All photographs and text are the exclusive property of Rob McSorley (except where stated otherwise). They are made available for your personal viewing enjoyment only. No images are within the Public Domain. The photographs may not be copied, reproduced, redistributed, manipulated, projected, used or altered in any way without the prior permission of Rob Mcsorley (info@robmcsorleyoncars.com).

Shoestring Superminis

By Leo Kimitri

Thanks to the rapidly increasing cost of insurance (and of course petrol, road tax, servicing etc.), car ownership levels among young people are plummeting. In a bid to soften the blow, Peugeot is extending its “Just Add Fuel” scheme which rolls all major motoring costs into one fixed monthly payment, so that it now covers drivers as young as 21. While this still leaves under 21s out in the cold, at least those residing in the hinterland between 21 and 25 now have another option when they come to buy a car. But just how tempting is Peugeot’s three year long package?

Well, a 21 year old can expect to pay £215 per month for a 107 Active, which includes comprehensive insurance, road tax (which Peugeot neglects to mention is free on this model anyway), servicing and roadside assistance. Overall, three factors affect the total cost – the car chosen, the owner’s postcode and the age of the youngest named driver. This all means that if you live in a postcode with high car crime for instance you’ll no doubt have to shell out much more than that, but whatever the price you pay, you’ll know exactly how much your car will cost to run every month for three years.

However, as with all finance deals, Peugeot’s “Just Add Fuel” scheme is not that straightforward – it really should have been called “Just Add Fuel and Deposit”. That’s because a 21 year old paying £215 per month would need to stump up the princely sum of £1,633 for a deposit too. And if you have to find £1,633 to pay upfront why not just spend that on a whole car? Sure you won’t have the convenience of a nice round-numbered bill every month and you won’t get a new car, but you’ll be spending much, much less in the first place.

So what can you get for £1,633? How about a 2004 Daihatsu Charade? No it’s not exciting, but it’s no less interesting than the Peugeot 107. Plus it has lots of space, will return nearly 60mpg and cost just £30 per year in road tax. You can even get several hundred pounds change from the £1633 budget if you shop around. Or, if you don’t like the Charade’s gawky looks, there are dozens of cheap, sturdy Ford Fiestas and Renault Clios available for the same price that should prove reliable and inexpensive to run.

Therefore, unless you truly value convenience above cost, Peugeot’s “Just Add Fuel” is of limited value. Despite the manufacturer’s bold claims that their scheme will tackle the drop in young driver car ownership, lumping all motoring costs into one big bill instead of several smaller ones does not suddenly make motoring affordable.

CLICK HERE to read the Verdict on the Peugeot 107

CLICK HERE to learn more about Just Add Fuel

Kia goes for a sporty image boost

Kia is looking to add sports and performance cars to its range to help raise its brand image, and is even considering a rear-wheel-drive coupé based on the 2011 GT concept.

First in line is a high-performance version of next year's second-generation pro_cee'd, which made its debut at the Paris show.

It will be powered by a 200bhp 1.6-litre direct-injection turbo engine and offered with six-speed manual and double-clutch transmissions. It goes into production in the middle of next year.

But Kia's vice-chairman and CEO Hyoung-Keun (Hank) Lee says the company is "seriously looking" at the idea of building a car based on the GT coupé concept from last year's Frankfurt show. If it goes ahead it will almost certainly be RWD.

"In my opinion a sports car should be RWD," Lee says. "When I was at Hyundai we tried the Coupé with front-wheel drive. It was considered sporty looking, but the driveability was different.

"We haven't decided yet, but we need a certain product to help with our brand image. We have tried a couple of concept cars and found some potential in the GT. We will try a couple more in the future, starting at Geneva next year, and test the media and consumer response before choosing one."

Kia has had a sports car in its range in the past, in 1997, when it bought the design rights to the Lotus Elan and began a small production run with one of its own engines in place of the original Isuzu unit. But a year later Kia went bust as Asia's Tiger economies collapsed, leading to the takeover by Hyundai.

Top 10 New Car Gadgets

Many moons ago if your supermini came fitted with two wing mirrors and a stereo you were one of the lucky ones. Back then essentials such as ABS or Airbags were reserved for luxury cars costing a fortune. Today’s cars are very different and are all about gadgets and gizmos that either make life a little easier or are genuine safety solutions. This year we have road tested over 40 models from a variety of different manufacturers that have featured a wide range of different electronic gadgets. Some have been useful, others not so. If you are wondering what options to add to your next car, read on…

Satellite Navigation

Remember the days when a map was your only way to work out where you were going? I certainly do. Thankfully times have changed with the arrival of satellite navigation which features in many new cars. Systems used to send you all over the place including farmers’ fields and the wrong way down one way streets. The systems fitted to the cars we have tried have been much better and are integrated into the car better than an aftermarket device stuck onto the windscreen.

As seen on the Peugeot 208 Allure

Reversing Camera

It sounds silly, why would you want a camera mounted on the back of your car when parking. Well, these are a lot more useful than you would think especially as the majority of new cars have awful rearward visibility. The models we have tried with a reversing camera fitted also came with parking sensors and a neat grid on the screen giving the driver an idea of exactly how much room there is behind the car. It also makes parking in bays much easier as the edges of the lines can be lined up with the grid on the screen. Kia for example have even cleverly integrated the camera screen into the rear-view mirror.

As seen on the Kia Soul Hunter

Seatbelt Warning

Years ago seat belts were not standard, seems crazy now. Today every car has them but perhaps the hardest passengers to get to buckle up are small children who often think they are a toy to be played with. The majority of new cars have seat belt warning lights and bongs to help drivers ensure everyone on-board is safe. Many MPVs go one step further by offering an individual warning light for each seat, some of the time all seven seats. For parents ferrying kids around looking out for cars with this feature is a must.

As seen on the Peugeot 5008 Allure

Lane Departure Warning

Let’s face it, overtaking isn’t difficult. For some however using indicators to tell other motorist what you are doing isn’t second nature. For this reason lane departure warning systems are a pretty good idea. Using sensors underneath the car they can detect the cars position within a given lane and alert the driver if they get too close or cross the line. Some systems have an annoying bong which will drive everyone crazy; others cause the steering wheel or driver’s seat to vibrate. It’s a system that really works. Ford have taken the system one step further and offer intervention, the car will gently steer itself back into the centre of the lane if needed, this can however be overridden.

As seen on the Ford Focus Titanium

DVD Players

Everyone loves a good movie, now you can easily watch your favourite film in your car. DVD players mounted in the rear headrests have been around for quite a while hidden on option lists. Manufacturers are now starting to fit them to some models as standard. For parents with screaming, bored kids they are a dream to have. If equipped with wireless headphones long journey can come and go with ease, some systems even have pre-loaded games. Brilliant!

As seen on the Mitsubishi Shogun SG4

Blind Spot Warning

One of the more common accidents on today’s roads is caused by drivers not seeing people, bicycles or other cars that are hidden in their blind spot. Modern cars are being fitted more and more with blind spot warning systems. These are usually neatly housed in the car’s wing mirrors consisting of a small led bulb that either lights up for flashes if the car senses an obstacle in the driver's blind spot. It’s a simple system that really can be trusted.

As seen on the Volvo XC60 R-Design Lux

HDD Music Drive

Who frequently listens to CDs in their cars? Most people actually. This could soon be a thing of the past. In the same way that you load music onto your MP3/IPod you can do the same with your car thanks to systems offered on a series of models. If you insert a CD into the unit you will be prompted with a menu asking whether you would like to copy the CD to the units’ hard drive. In doing this you can build up a music collection just for driving. Amusingly in a handful of the press cars we have tried we have found a rather eclectic mix of music from previous road testers.

As seen on the Peugeot RCZ GT

Active City Stop

Ever driven in a built up area and a football comes rolling across the road? Most have; all too often it’s followed by a child unaware of your approach. Active City Stop systems have the ability to activate the car’s brakes at lower speeds and more quickly than the most alert driver can. The systems work surprisingly well, although difficult to test with the use of a little ingenuity their full effectiveness can be demonstrated. These systems are cropping up more and more even in low-cost city cars such as the Seat Mii and Skoda Citigo.

As seen on the Ford Focus Titanium

Intelligent Cruise Control

Cruise control has been around for years and boy is it useful on long journeys. Keeping a constant speed on motorways without the use of your feet is a great idea. Cars today take this one step further. With the help of sensors that detect the distance from the car in front. When activating the cruise control a predefined distance from the car in front can be selected. The car will brake itself if it becomes too close to the car in front and can accelerate fairly hard if needed when a gap ahead increases.

As seen on the Volvo XC60 R-Design Lux

Heated Steering Wheel

OK, you are probably thinking, why on earth would you pay for a heated steering wheel? Well, because they are brilliant. More and more cars are being fitted with this brilliant device that consists of a small element in the wheel that keeps the drivers hands nice and toasty. Most cars just have an on or off function; others have a handful of settings for different temperatures. It seems a little gimmicky but coupled with a heated seat Britain’s cold winters can be an absolute pleasure to drive around in. It’s as simple as that!

As seen on the Kia Cee’d 4 Tech

Words by Rob McSorley

Jaguar's sporting chance

Jaguar's new F-Type two-seater sports car due for launch next spring could be the key to unlocking the brand's return to motorsport.

Brand boss Adrian Hallmark said: "In terms of a return to racing we have made no commitment but we absolutely want to - but not in F1 or Le Mans. Those are too expensive. Motorsport is all about customer engagement and the F-type is clearly a sports car. There are all sorts of moves in terms of regulation changes going on at the moment in motorsport and this all starts to make things more attractive to us in terms of cost."

The F-Type, he said, is on track for launch in late April - just the right time of year to be launching a cabrio but the weather was obviously not the main consideration for developing a topless model first.

Hallmark said: "The sports car market is 50-50 cabrio coupe so it really makes no difference as to which one you start with, but the cabrio is more complicated to engineer so we are taking route one to the summit. The coupe should be easier to develop from there."

Not to mention the fact that profit margins on the cabrio are potentially greater.

The F-Type and XK will also be at the forefront in the emergence of a high performance sub-brand, a ball which has already started rolling with Jaguar's R and RS models. Hallmark said there is a good business case for a sub brand given the success of the XKRS - the brand's first £100,000+ model: "and we are selling all that we can build", said Hallmark.

He added: "R can stand for real performance and RS will be an extension of that. This will also allow us to expand in terms of merchandising and accessories much in the same way as M Sport does for BMW or AMG for Mercedes."

Business re-think helps Toyota through

Toyota is riding out the economic downturn in Europe by reforming the way it does business.

This has included the decision to concentrate production of all its Auris C segment models in the UK, rather than splitting assembly with its factory in Turkey.

Didier Leroy, head of Toyota Motor Europe, said: "This allows us to maximise efficiencies as the UK is where the majority of Auris suppliers are. Our Burnaston plant is also very productive and efficient and we get a lot of backing from the British government."

Toyota, he added, has 70 tier one suppliers in the UK which now supply 25 percent of all components to the company's European plants. While Burnaston will be the sole producer of Auris and Avensis models for Europe, Toyota's Valenciennes factory in France will continue to produce only Yaris while a year from now the Turkish plant will start assembling the Corolla saloon mainly for markets in Eastern Europe.

Leroy said:" The Market in Europe continues to be a challenge but we took these decisions two years ago so that we could maximise our strengths. While other companies worry about overcapacity, our main concern is whether we can make enough cars."

The introduction of the Auris has seen 800 new temporary jobs at Burnaston - some 150 of which have already been made permanent  - while production line speed has been increased to produce one car every 66 seconds, down from 89 seconds.

Leroy does not see any upturn in European car sales until at least 2014, however. He added: "I think next year will be down by around 5 percent with increased sales in Eastern Europe but markets in Western Europe will be down. Despite this we are expecting our sales to increase."

Škoda cuts the bling-bling

Four years ago Skoda decided to "change its cars completely" in terms of design and technology...

Two years later, it produced the Vision D concept at the Geneva motor show which was "a bible of Skoda design," said Peter Olah, the company's design co-ordinator.

Vision D demonstrated where all new Skodas would go, embracing "clever engineering with a human touch," he explained at the launch of the Rapid, a new model that sits below the Octavia and is designed in particular to take on Kia cee'd and Hyundai i30, said Skoda UK product marketing manager Chris Horrell.

Olah said that Skoda's slogan of ‘simply clever' is not just a marketing claim, it means trying to bring clever solutions and understandable technology to Skoda's cars.

"One of the best examples of this is the little hook in the trunk to hold your shopping - it costs almost nothing but really changes your life. This is what we call the human touch."

This ‘human touch' continues with the Rapid which includes a combined ice scraper and magnifier concealed inside the fuel filler cap. It means you can remove snow and ice from the windows and around the door before getting into the car. And that means you won't get snow falling onto the seats when you open the door.

The first clues to Skoda's new look arrived with the Citigo in the summer with the new, bolder Skoda logo.Rapid continues the theme. "We want to make our cars as clean as possible and get rid of unnecessary lines. Customers have had enough of shiny, bling bling stuff," he said.

The Rapid is on sale now, priced from £12,900 for the 1.2-litre S model.

2012 Volvo XC60 FULL ROAD TEST

Volvo XC60 D5 R-Design Lux Geartronic

Do you find the BMW X3 a little too common or the Audi Q3 too pretentious? If so then this Scandinavian beauty could be worth a look. Its Volvo’s second and probably best looking SUV yet; the XC60. But is it any good?

Gone are the boxy, dull lines of Volvos from over a decade ago replaced by well resolved curves and swooshes whilst still maintaining the now familiar pronounced shoulders and high-mounted taillights. In top spec R-Design Lux trim its striking design is further improved with massive 20” wheels, body skirts and plenty of matt aluminium-effect highlights. Ice white is also probably the best colour on offer to guarantee plenty of attention from passers-by.

A quick shifty inside the XC60 confirms that Volvo still make some of the best interiors in the business. Everything is not only designed to operate with simplicity but with its floating centre console and intelligent use of quality materials that look appealing and feel truly premium it really is a fantastic place to spend time. The dials are a particular joy to use with their etched aluminium effect digits lit from above with stylish blue inserts. The seats are also every bit as comfortable and supportive as they look. Cabin space all round is generous and the boot –accessed by the electrically operated tailgate - is the perfect size for several sets of golf clubs or a double buggy.

Kit levels are more than generous including alloy wheels, rear parking sensors and four electric windows, plus climate and cruise control, Bluetooth, full leather upholstery and an electrically adjustable driver’s seat. R-Design trim is the sporty choice, including a beefy body kit and a sports chassis. The example I tested also came fitted with the Nav pack, which adds voice-activated sat-nav and an upgraded stereo. The safety kit on-board is what is truly staggering; Volvo really is the industry leader in this area. The Driver support pack included a blind spot warning system, adaptive cruise control and lane departure warning all of which ensure all occupants are kept as safe as possible at all times.

Nestled under the bonnet is a rather gutsy 2.4 litre 5-cylinder diesel engine mated to a 6-speed geartronic automatic gearbox. With 215 bhp and 440 Nm of torque accessible from 1500-3000 rpm acceleration is more than adequate reaching 60 mph in 7.8 seconds. There is also the option of changing gears manually with a quick nudge of the translucent shifter. Sport mode is also worth a try quickening changes and holding onto the ratios for a little longer for speedier progress. Overall the unit is a dream to pilot, it’s beautifully refined, has bags of low-end grunt and accelerates effortlessly through all 6 gears very smoothly. Whilst with me it also proved to be brilliantly economical returning around 40mpg during mixed driving.

Volvos-of-old have always been safe cars to drive but ultimately forgettable without any driver enjoyment to be had. I am pleased to report that the XC60 couldn't be more different, thanks in part to its Mondeo-derived chassis. The steering is feelsome and perfectly weighted, the brakes are strong and progressive and grip levels are limpet-like. Much to my surprise body control is also much better than expected resisting excessive lean until really pushed making enthusiastic drives along twisty roads an absolute joy. On top of this the ride quality on offer is befitting of any luxury limousine despite those large wheels and sportier chassis settings. I also found the XC60 a refined cruiser completely encapsulating occupants from the outside world.

At £46,090 the car I am testing isn’t cheap but without the massive list of additional extras it can be yours for £38,645 which is much more appealing.  Running costs are pretty reasonable especially for a car of this size falling in to car tax band I which equates to £325 for the first year and £315 thereafter. Fuel economy is also very good with a claimed extra urban figure of 50.4 mpg that I think is achievable.

Words and Photos by Rob McSorley

Price as tested: £46,090

Engine: 2.4 20v 215bhp - 0-62mph: 7.8 secs - Maximum Speed: 127 mph –

Economy: 31.7mpg (urban) –50.4 mpg (extra-urban), 41.5mpg (combined) - Emissions: 179g/km (Band I) - VED (12 months): £325

Dimensions: Length: 4627mm - Width: 2120mm - Height: 1713mm - Wheelbase: 2774mm

*data from Volvo UK

The Verdict

 If you are looking for a medium-sized SUV with genuine driver appeal then the XC60 is definitely worth a look. Not only is it safer and better looking than the competition but it also represents better value for money and thanks to the Volvo badge on the bonnet is sure to be utterly reliable. Whilst with me I was also impressed with the performance, economy and driver thrills from the superb D5 engine. I also found the interior a sumptuous place to spend time with executive levels of refinement. What probably amazed me the most however was the safety systems on offer, all-of-which are genuinely usable and are sure to save lives. Overall I couldn't recommend the XC60 more.

All photographs and text are the exclusive property of Rob McSorley (except where stated otherwise). They are made available for your personal viewing enjoyment only. No images are within the Public Domain. The photographs may not be copied, reproduced, redistributed, manipulated, projected, used or altered in any way without the prior permission of Rob Mcsorley (info@robmcsorleyoncars.com).

2012 Suzuki Grand Vitara FULL ROAD TEST

 Suzuki Grand Vitara 1.9 DDiS SZ5

Nothing is what it seems these days in the world of 4wd vehicles.  We have some pretending to be coupes and sports hatches while others appear to be full-fat mud pluggers but actually only have front driven wheels.

The Vitara is a model that has always remained true to its original concept dating back to 1988. It's a compact off-roader that sits neatly in the middle when it comes to a balance of on and off-road prowess. In its 3rd iteration it’s a model in Suzuki's line-up that should hold plenty of appeal.

If anything it’s a concept that Land Rover cashed in on with their Freelander over a decade ago but have since disappeared off in the direction of the premium, luxury horizon leaving the Vitara where it left off. Having been on sale since 2005 how good is Suzuki’s pint sized jack-of-all-trades?

On paper the Vitara has all of the vital ingredients it needs to succeed both on and off road.  All-wheel-drive with low and high ratio lock modes, good ground clearance and short overhangs. For the road a small, frugal but perfectly formed 1.9 litre diesel engine donated by Renault and road tyres along with standard fit cruise control on this top spec SZ5 model. Not forgetting full heated leather seats.

VIEW THE PDF

The Test

To try and work out if the Vitara can ‘cut-the-mustard’ I decided to put it through its paces on a drive from Oxfordshire to Merseyside and back again covering a total of 400 miles in a day. Then the following day it would be time to tackle the ‘rough stuff’ to see how good the Vitara is off the beaten track. Read on to find out how it performed.

Looks

Visually the Vitara hasn’t really changed much since it was launched over 7 years ago and its still not a bad looker. It’s a simple design that’s well-proportioned and thanks to its big wheels, beefy arches and boxy shape it looks as butch as any of its rivals. The top spec model you see here also benefits from projector lights but has lost its boot mounted spare wheel to save weight making the rear look a little sorry for itself.

Refinement

Expecting any vehicle with big 18 inch wheels, high ground clearance and a squared of shape to offer luxury levels of quietness would be silly. However the Vitara most of the time is very good indeed. Wind noise is well contained and roar from the tyres only becomes tiresome on concrete motorway surfaces, both around town and on country roads passengers will remain unruffled. It also rides incredible well with enough suppleness to take the sting out of rutted roads but it has a firm edge that keeps any wallowyness at bay. The engine on the other hand can be clattery when cold and under moderate acceleration but when cruising it’s barely audible.

Running Costs

Carrying all that off road engineering around means that the Vitara tips the scales at 1654kg, which is actually not that far off a similar sized Focus. The powerplant under the bonnet misses out on the additional 8 valves of most rivals but still manages to return decent economy. The majority of our jaunt to Merseyside was traffic free but very windy. On average we returned a very good 31.9 mpg. Considering the tiny 4,500 mileage of this particular example we were more than happy even if it was some way off the claimed 42.8 mpg combined. We also thought that £195 per year (Band H) to tax this Vitara is also not to be sniffed at..

Handling

Handling and four wheel drive cars very rarely go hand-in-hand. This was another area that surprised us. Thanks to independent suspension with sensibly calibrated springs and dampers bodyroll is well controlled, grip levels plentiful and the steering beautifully weighty and much pointer than its piers. On the limit it's mechanical grip levels are reassuring and the standard fit ESP only intervenes when absolutely necessary. We didn't get on so well with the agricultural 5-speed gearbox that felt rubbery, vague and hated to be rushed. The lever also vibrates and wobbles around when stepping on and off the power with a noticeable amount of driveline shunt too.

The Cabin

Few will be disappointed with the Vitara's cabin. Space if plentiful with a good sized boot, its side mounted hinges are a great feature carried over from previous incarnations. Rear accommodation is also good for a car of this size with plenty of room for three and seats that tumble and flip forward like in an mpv. The design of the cabin upfront is very strong. Everything feels well screwed together with a good choice of soft touch materials on the dashboard top and more robust -but still very appealing - materials lower down. The design itself still looks remarkable fresh including the cowled dials and centre stack. Reach adjustment for the steering column and better lateral support for the front seats would go amiss however. Thankfully equipment levels on this top spec model were generally good if a little patchy in areas. For example Ipod/USB connectivity for the stereo and parking sensors would be a welcome addition.

Off-Road

Suzuki knows how to make small, rough and tough off-roaders as they have been doing it for years. This latest Vitara is no exception. I tested it in deep mud and rutted hilly terrain. In all cases it excelled thanks to its various lock modes. It very rarely lost traction and when it did a quick change to the diff setting and it was straight out of the mud. More impressive was that this particular Vitara was fitted with road tyres. Whichever way you look at it the Grand Vitara is head and shoulders above its piers in this area.

VIEW THE PDF

Words by Rob McSorleyPhotos by Mathew Brooks

Price as tested: £23,275

Engine: 1.9 8v 127bhp - 0-62mph: 13.2 secs - Maximum Speed: 106 mph -

Economy: 34.9mpg (urban) –47.1mpg (extra-urban), 42.8mpg (combined) - Emissions: 174g/km (Band H) - VED (12 months): £195

Dimensions: Length: 4300mm - Width: 1880mm - Height: 1695mm - Wheelbase: 2640mm

*data from Suzuki UK

The Verdict

Whilst with me the Grand Vitara proved that there are still cars out there that ‘does exactly what it says on the tin’. In keeping with Suzuki’s ‘no nonsense’ image the Vitara is a very decent long distance companion and is equally capable off-road. It also seems to have aged very little despite its relatively lengthy product life. Sure it isn’t perfect, the gearbox is agricultural, equipment levels are patchy and economy could be better.  What it does offer is plenty of space, a well-built interior, very good on-road handling all wrapped up in a bulletproof package that reeks of charm. For these reasons the Grand Vitara is definitely worth a look, especially considering you can park an SZ4 on your drive for a shade over £19,000.

All photographs and text are the exclusive property of Rob McSorley (except where stated otherwise). They are made available for your personal viewing enjoyment only. No images are within the Public Domain. The photographs may not be copied, reproduced, redistributed, manipulated, projected, used or altered in any way without the prior permission of Rob Mcsorley (info@robmcsorleyoncars.com)