Suzuki takes the title of best Compact Crossover in The Sunday Times Top 100 cars 2016.

Suzuki GB PLC would like to share some very good news for its Vitara model as it has been voted the winner of the compact crossover category in The Sunday Times Top 100 cars of 2016. 

Launched in the UK nine months ago, the Vitara was tested by their editorial team against some very strong competition from four different brands with one costing over £16,000 more for its lowest priced derivative.

The Sunday Times comments: “Squint — hard — and you might mistake the new Vitara for a Range Rover Evoque. That’s because Suzuki’s crossover has morphed from a cheap and cheerful off-roader into a primped, well-equipped vehicle that’s top of its class. This has a lot to do with the low starting price.”

Vitara SZ4 is available from £13,999 and standard equipment for all models is comprehensive and includes seven airbags, alloy wheels, DAB Radio with USB and Bluetooth connectivity, cruise control with speed limiter, auto air conditioning and front and rear electric windows.  Suzuki’s latest ALLGRIP four wheel drive technology is available as an option.

The most recent addition to the range is the new S model which provides a more sporting and dynamic character to the Vitara line up. The new S is the first Suzuki to utilise new BOOSTERJET technology engine which, in Vitara, is a 140PS 1.4-litre Direct Injection turbocharged unit (DITC). 

This new engine 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.

Suzuki also scored well in the warm hatchbacks category with its popular Swift Sport model. First launched in the UK in January 2012, the Sport again impressed the team who commented:  “This might look slow on paper and in the metal too, but get in and you won’t want to release the steering wheel. 

The Swift’s non-turbocharged 1.6-litre engine is a gem: smooth, revvy and full of heart. The car grips tenaciously, steers with energy and the subtle go-faster tweaks mean nobody else is likely to realise the fun you’re having, particularly if you opt for the five-door version. The three-door is a sub-£14,000 bargain”.

Suzuki Vitara achieves the full EURO NCAP Five Stars, with above average marks in all categories.

• New Vitara scores high in all categories of assessment
• The first compact SUV to attain five stars in new and more rigorous testing by Euro NCAP
• Outstanding crash performance due to Suzuki’s Total Effective Control Technology (TECT)

The new Suzuki Vitara compact SUV, launched earlier this month, is rated one of Europe's safest cars according to independent crash testing results from Euro NCAP, receiving the maximum 5-star rating. 

Vitara is also the first compact SUV to earn five stars in the more rigorous 2015 Euro NCAP testing programme which further reinforces the exemplary level of safety of the new model.

Suzuki’s new Vitara has been awarded high scores in all four areas of assessment and also exceeds the minimum level required in all of these to attain the five star rating. These areas are listed below:

Area of Assessment	Vitara Score	Minimum required for Five star Euro NCAP rating
Adult occupant	89%	80%
Child Occupant	85%	75%
Pedestrian	76%	65%
Safety Assist	75%	70%

The new Vitara’s passive and active safety systems are designed to intelligently anticipate and react to potentially dangerous situations with an excellent level of protection. 

One of its major safety features is Total Effective Control Technology which is a concept for occupant protecting impact absorption and low weight developed by Suzuki.

Extensive use of high tensile steel and computer aided engineering technologies make the body light, highly crashworthy as well as fuel efficient.

Standard safety equipment includes seven airbags which includes a driver’s knee airbag as well as seat belt pre-tensioners and force limiters. 

Euro NCAP’s tests on the front seats and head restraints showed good protection against whiplash injury in the event of a rear end collision and a geometric assessment of the rear seats also  indicated good protection.

Suzuki paid particular attention to child safety in accordance with latest European legislation and pedestrian protection received the highest score amongst its competitors thanks to bonnet shape and new structures for the cowl top and wipers. The bumpers also provide good impact absorption to lessen the degree of harm if the car comes into contact with a pedestrian.

Vitara is on sale in the UK from £13,999 for the SZ4 1.6-litre petrol model with two wheel drive and is available with ALLGRIP four wheel drive as an option.