WHAT CAR AWARDS - Suzuki takes another best buy nod, this one is for the Vitara SUV.

Suzuki celebrated good news at the What Car? awards again last night with Vitara awarded a ‘Best Buy’ accolade for the second year in the small SUV class. The 1.6-litre SZ4 model was comprehensively judged by the editorial team and announced as the best overall model in its price bracket of less than £15,000.

Steve Huntingford, Editor of What Car? comments: “Despite a strong challenge from another Suzuki small SUV, the new IGNIS, the Vitara’s combination of generous space, a long equipment list, keen pricing and low running costs help it win this entry price point for the second year in a row. 

There’s no need to be any more frivolous than the entry-level 1.6-litre petrol engine. Not only is it sensibly priced, it’s easily strong enough to haul a family and luggage, and proved to be remarkably fuel efficient in our real-world economy test.

"The Vitara is good to drive, too. Its body is tightly controlled in corners, the steering is reasonably precise and the suspension smooths out the worst our broken roads can throw at it.  It’s an impressively roomy car inside – four adults will sit comfortably, with plenty of leg room. The boot is practical and generously sized, too, with a wide opening and a low lip. Entry-level SZ4 trim is very well equipped: 16in alloy wheels, Bluetooth, a DAB radio, a USB port, steering wheel-mounted controls, cruise control and seven airbags all come as standard.”

Vitara is proving to be very popular with customers in the UK with 11,500 sold in 2016. Suzuki’s ALLGRIP four wheel drive technology is available as an option on SZ5 models and is standard equipment on the 1.4-litre Boosterjet S model.