SECTOR: Crossover   PRICE: €17,990–25,990   FUEL: 4.0–5.74l/100km   CO2: 111–131g/km

It would be an unwise manufacturer that ignores the compact SUV sector around the world, but particularly in Europe, where it accounts for some 20% of annual sales and is currently the fastest growing on the market.

Suzuki has effectively competed in the sector since it was invented with the original Vitara appearing in 1988. Traditionally, Suzuki has been a comparatively small player in the European market, despite being a fairly sizeable company with strong interests in countries like India where Suzuki Maruti is the market leader.

The reasons for its comparatively small role in Europe have been its small standing in the days of quota-restricted imports, which meant market stagnation for the smaller Japanese manufacturers. Having consigned that to history, the Japanese economy plunged into a prolonged recession, then unfavourable exchange rates that made Japanese-built products uncompetitive.

Suzuki, with plants around the world has been able to overcome that. The new Vitara, for instance is built at a plant in Hungary and following its European launch, it will be exported around the world from there.

Expansion is clearly the plan for the company and products like the S-Cross and Vitara clearly have fleet potential. The Vitara range has been slimmed down and the new model is smaller than its predecessor – there’s no Grand Vitara.

Suzuki is keeping the model range simple with either a 1.6-litre petrol or diesel engine, both producing 118hp. Suzuki sources all diesel engines from Fiat and the 1.6-litre common rail unit is familiar from a range of Fiat group models. Both are Euro 6 compliant and equipped with engine Stop/Start. Diesels do not need AdBlue to meet the emissions limits. Suzuki claims the lowest CO2 emissions in class for a compact SUV. That means 106g/km for two-wheel-drive six-speed manual diesel models, ranging to 111g/km for 4WD. For petrol models the range is 123g/km to 131g/km from 2WD five-speed manual to 4WD six-speed automatic.

Suzuki’s ALLGRIP four-wheel drive system was first seen on the S-Cross and all 4WD models are equipped with it. It offers four modes: Auto, Sport, Snow and Lock. In

Auto mode, the car remains in 2WD unless loss of grip is detected at the rear wheels. Comprehensive safety equipment includes radar brake support for helping to avoid rear-end collisions and adaptive cruise control.

Suzuki is offering a range of new body colours and colour combinations to attract new customers. The car also gets the two-piece sliding glass sunroof from the S-Cross and LED headlamps. Luggage capacity is 375 litres with rear seats upright, extending to 710 litres with them folded.

Both petrol and diesel models offer respectable performance, but obviously more torque from the diesel makes it feel more responsive. As we have come to expect, it’s a refined diesel too. Although the car is competitively priced, low mileage users might find the petrol model a more cost effective package. Tidy handling and a quality interior add to the Vitara’s appeal.

What we think 

Suzuki has produced a keenly priced and appealing compact SUV. With the right equipment, it could make an attractive fleet package.