Our Fleet Test Drive: Suzuki Vitara - 6th report
Date:
12 November 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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Sometimes - although hopefully not on this website - motoring publications peddle a fantasy of motoring as we'd like it to be, not as it is.
We drive on deserted moorland roads or the sun-baked tarmac of southern Europe. Communicative steering, apex-clipping handling and punchy acceleration are the criteria by which cars are judged.
The trouble is, everyday driving isn't like that, and the things which matter most while changing in and out of first gear on the A217 are completely different to what seems important while bouncing off the rev limiter on the Route Napoleon.
Don't mistake this for faint praise, but the Vitara is very good at very dull journeys. One of my regular drives is just seven miles long, and routinely takes 40 minutes or more despite being mostly on a dual-carriageway.
The Suzuki makes this less of a chore, with its comfortable ride, slick gearchange and light controls. The DAB radio is crystal clear, and the high-up driving position gives an unobstructed view of whatever car, bus or lorry I'm stuck behind.
I'd much rather be driving on a empty road somewhere sunny. But if I must sit in nose-to-tail traffic in the rain, I'm happy to be in the Vitara
Suzuki Vitara 1.6 SZ5
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Mileage |
4124 |
Official consumption |
53.3mpg |
Our average consumption |
43.2mpg |
Forecast/actual CPM |
46.6p/46.9p |
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
- Styling
- Panoramic sunroof
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- Acceleration
- Unreliable touchscreen response
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