Our Fleet Test Drive: Suzuki Vitara - 9th report
Date:
04 February 2016
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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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After the recent wet weather, I've been pondering the merits of a four-wheel drive Vitara over our front-wheel drive test car.
Obviously, a 4x4 would handle wet and slippery roads better, but carbon dioxide emissions for the Allgrip are 130g/km.
That's a 7g/km increase over our car, enough to jump up two benefit-in-kind tax bands. Of course, the P11D price increases, too, jumping from £18,444 to £20,244. Over a year that means a higher-rate taxpayer would shell out almost £300 more in tax for the Allgrip.
No, I'm quite happy with the two-wheel drive model. Although if I lived in Cumbria or Yorkshire I'm sure I'd feel differently.
Verdict
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- Ride comfort
- Styling
- Panoramic sunroof
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- Acceleration
- Unreliable touchscreen response
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