At the beginning of January this year, MotorMartin was delighted to be able to report on the Mazda MX-5 winning the Roadsters and Spiders category in ‘The Sunday Times Top 100 Cars’ https://motormartin.wordpress.com/2016/01/03/news-all-new-mazda-mx-5-wins-best-roadster-and-spider-in-the-sunday-times-top-100-cars/ and now it’s the turn of Suzuki GB PLC to share some very good news for its Vitara model. Suzuki GB PLC have shared with MotorMartin the news that their Vitara has been voted the winner of the compact crossover category in The Sunday Times Top 100 cars of 2016.
Launched in the UK just 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 commented: “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.”
Suzuki was keen to point out to MotorMartin that the Vitara SZ4 is available from £13,999 whilst 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. Looking at the list of standard specifications shows what excellent value for money the Vitara SZ4 offers the consumer and how well it fits in with the ‘real life’ focus of MotorMartin.
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. Impressive figures.
Suzuki can rightly be proud of itself as they also scored well in the warm hatchbacks category with the increasingly popular Swift Sport model. First launched in the UK in January 2012, the Sport again impressed the team who stated that: “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”.
Back slapping all round at Suzuki HQ then. It remains to say a huge MotorMartin well done for their success.
Where will you go?