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January 2016|TOPCAR.CO.ZA 29MOST INDUSTRIESfollo wa similar pattern: first you ge tthe avant-garde pioneeringtypes (Juke), follo wed by theearly adopters (Duster), then themainstream users (Ecosport) and finally theparty’s latecomers (Captur, Mokka, HR-V).Nowadays, Suzukifalls into the latter ca tegory,producing competent, agreeable cars thatmight’ve been class-leading had they beenlaunched five ye ars earlier. The new SX4 versusthe old Qashqai? A fairfight. But against thenew Qashqai with its downsized turbos, torqueydiesels, touchscreen tech and haute-couturelooks – it’s a no-brainer.It wa sn’t always this way. Remember thepioneering 1988 Vitara? Asfor the Jimny, well, itis stilltrending today. Into this scenario comesthe new Vitara – a compact SUV inthe spirit ofthe 27-year-old original. Note: the currentGrand Vitara lives on unchanged, fornow. So, has a belated return to thecompact crossover/SUV party givenSuzukitime to prepare a winner?Firs t impres sions are mixed. Yes, it’scohesively styled and inoffensive but it’salso shor t on sculpture. This is not highfashion – Suzukis seldom are – but thereare clever and on-trend facets scat tered``````Get yours withcolour-coded dashinsertsandaJapanesescript clockface``````around its urban Tonka purposefulness. Theseinclude a contrast -colour ro of-and-pillars optionon all but ba se spec, vertically arranged daytimerunning LEDs on topline GLX models and abraceof visualupgrade packages called Urbanand Rugged. Choose Urban for morechromeand a tailgate spoiler, or Rugged ifyouappreciate such things as fauxskid plates.The personalisation bent continues insidewhere you can order colour-c oded dash, air ventand clock surround inserts. Also available, andfrankly essential, is a clock face with Japanesenumerals –domoSuzuki, moreof this creativityplease. Standard across all models is visibly highbuild integrity and a neatly designed fascia thattrades pr ogressive tech for sensible ergonomicsand fine functionality. Concerns are the ro oflinin g (long-te rmdurabi litylooks sket chy) andthe cheap footwellmouldings (made fromrecycled plastics?). It is comfortable andsufficiently roomy up front, less so inthe reardue to high-mount cushions and uprightbackrests. Also, the range-topping GLX’s suedeseat s offer less lateral support infaster cornersthan lesser models’ cloth it ems – you’re doing itwrong Wayne. Okay, so it’s not built forcornering thrills, but it’s handy enough inthemonce you’ve acclimatised to the light steering’scentre-point elasticity.All Vitaras use Suzuki’s 1.6-litr e nata sp fourrated at 86kW and 151Nm, figures that don’t looktoo thrilling inthis turbo age. The drivet rainisrescued by awell-matched set of gearratios, apleasant shift action and a soundtrack that’snever as thrashy as some of its Far East rivals.Torque peaks at 4400rpm so it feels prettygutless on steeper inclines, forc ing frequentdownchanges. While theVitara is easy to live withon tar, it is an absolute joyon gravel, soakin g up rutswith th e ease of an air-sprung Prado. Thelaunch route nearKnynsacomprised mainly tightdirt ro ad passes thathighlighted theHungarian-built Vitara’sSuzuki Vitara GLX AWD>PriceR3 19900 >Engine 1586 cc, 16v, 4cylpetrol86kW @ 60 00rpm, 151Nm@ 44 00rpm>Transmission5-speed manual, FWDSuspension:MacPhersonstrut front, torsionbeamrear>Performance0-100kph in 12.0sec,180kph, 6.2ℓ/100km, 145gCO2/km>Length/widt h/height:4175/1775/1610mm>Kerbweight: 116 0kg>On saleNowrattle-free build, as wellas its hassle-free 4WDoperation. It’s no rock hopper but with its 4-mode – Auto, Sport, Snow and Lock – system,hilldescent control and 185mm groundclearance, the AllGrip models are ge nuinecompact SUVs. Look out, Duster.Standard equipment on the entry-le vel GLmodel (R239900) includes 16-inch steelies, tripcomputer, multifun ction steering wheel,powered window s up front, air-con, 4-speakeraudio with CD, USB and Bl uetooth. ABS, ESPand seven airbags head the list of safetyaspects.GL+ (from R269900) adds a 4WD optioncalled AllGrip inSuzi-speak, 16-inch alloywheels, fog lamps, electric window s, cruise- andclimate contro l. Two flagship GLX derivativesare on offer: a front-driver insix-speed autoguise (R299900) and an AllGrip-equippedfive-speed manualversion priced at R319900.Both feature 17-inch alloys, a panoramicsunroof, low-beam LED projectors and DRLs,suede upholstery, front and rear park ingsensors, auto headlights and ke yless start.Prices include a 4-year/60000kmservice plan.Surpri singly likeab le, and competitivel y priced,this broadly competent new Vitara has much tooffer. Ina fashion-friendly segment loaded withchic protagonists it could use a bit morestylingsass, but then it wouldn’t be true to its heritage,and that’s something noneof its rivals canclaim.WAYNE BATTYDusterBusterAnother month, anothernew compact crossover.Suzuki revives the spiritof the original VitaraSUZUKI VITARAHIGHSValue, build qualitygravel travelcomfort``````LOWSShort ontorque``````VERDICTCapable andcomfortable. Willmakefriends easilySuzuki Vitara GLX AWDCapable andcomfortable. Willmakefriends easily