WHAT CAR AWARDS - Suzuki takes best buy awards for the Vitara and Swift.

Suzuki celebrated good news at the 2016 What Car? Magazine awards for the second time last night as the Vitara has also been awarded a ‘Best Buy at less than £15,000’ accolade along with the Swift Sport model.  In the Small SUV class and priced at £13,999, the Vitara 1.6-litre SZ4 was comprehensively judged by the editorial team and announced as the best overall model in its price bracket.

Jim Holder, Editorial Director of What Car? comments: “In SZ4 trim the Vitara doesn’t just sneak into this price category; it’s more than £1000 beneath it. Even then it comes complete with niceties such as climate control, cruise control, Bluetooth connectivity and a DAB radio.

“The 1.6 litre engine might not have a turbocharger but is smooth and more than capable in the Vitara. It’s also economical; our True MPG testers managed to get within 3.9mpg of the official figure. The Vitara drives well, too; the suspension is firm enough to resist roll without ever becoming uncomfortable and the controls inspire plenty of confidence. The five-speed gearbox is enjoyable to use, too. Practicality is a real strong point inside, with plenty of leg room front and back.”

Commenting further, Jim Holder added: “Cargo space is impressive in its size and also accessibility; the boot opening is wide with a low loading lip. The interior is also solidly put together, with piano black trim to add a little class. To top it all, there are also plenty of customisation options. It really is a complete package for very little outlay.”

Standard equipment for all models is comprehensive and also includes seven airbags, alloy wheels and front and rear electric windows. Suzuki’s latest ALLGRIP four wheel drive technology is available as an option on SZ5 models and is standard equipment on the recently introduced S model.

The new Vitara S provides a more sporting and dynamic character to the Vitara line up and is the first Suzuki to utilise its new BOOSTERJET technology. The engine is a 140PS 1.4-litre Direct Injection turbocharged unit (DITC), it has compact dimensions and offers 220Nm of torque available from just 1,500rpm through to 4,000rpm.  CO₂  emissions are 127g/km and just one gramme higher for the optional six speed automatic transmission.