Our Fleet Test Drive: Suzuki Vitara - 2nd report
Date:
02 September 2015
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Author: David Motton
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Why we're running it: | To see if a petrol crossover can make sense as a business car, despite having higher emissions than the equivalent diesel. | Equipment: | Seven airbags, satnav, DAB radio, double-sliding panoramic sunroof, climate control, front foglamps, front and rear parking sensors, adaptive cruise control, Radar Brake Support, keyless entry and start, 17-inch alloy wheels, suede and leather upholstery | Options: | Rugged pack, which adds front and rear skid plates and a boot protector (£500), metallic paint (£430), detachable tow bar (£351) |
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Our Suzuki Vitara has been in the wars. The other day I found the driver's side mirror knocked forward and the mirror glass in the road. On closer inspection there's no damage to the mirror housing, so it looks like vandalism rather than a glancing blow from a car.
Perhaps I've done something to upset one of my neighbours.
Otherwise, the Vitara has continued to impress, with one or two little niggles. The most annoying is a whistling noise that I think is coming from the sunroof seal. It's only audible once up to motorway speeds, but it does grate a bit.
It's not a problem I encountered on a Suzuki SX4 S-cross diesel I borrowed for a few days, which also had a panoramic sunroof. Otherwise, though, I preferred the Vitara.
One of the reasons we're running the Suzuki is to see if a petrol car can make a viable alternative to diesel for business users. Setting costs aside for a moment, the Vitara petrol is quieter, rides better and looks more attractive than the more expensive S-cross diesel.
At the moment the Vitara is averaging 43.4mpg, whereas the S-cross diesel we ran before achieved 52mpg. As a relatively low-mileage driver, I'm happy to have the petrol.
Suzuki Vitara 1.6 SZ5
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Mileage |
3061 |
Official consumption |
53.3mpg |
Our average consumption |
42.9mpg |
Forecast/actual CPM |
46.6p/49.4p |
P11D price |
£18,444 |
Model price range |
£13,999-£22,549 |
Residual value |
33.6% |
Depreciation cost |
£13,244 |
Fuel |
£4664 |
Service, maintenance and repair |
£2130 |
Vehicle Excise Duty |
£40 |
National Insurance |
£1569 |
CO2 (BIK band) |
123g/km (19%) |
BIK 20/40% per month |
£58/£117 |
Verdict
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- Ride comfort
- Attractive styling
- Standard kit
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- Whistling sunroof
- Steady acceleration
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