A 1.6 petrol is the smallest unit. It’s quite perky and delivers adequate fuel consumption. The 2.0 suits the large body of the Grand Vitara better. The 2.5 V6 comes with automatic transmission as standard and is quite smooth. Five and seven-seat XL-7 models have a 170bhp 2.7 V6. 2.0 TD is of the old school of oil -burners – noisy, harsh and underpowered.

Grand Vitara is one of a handful of lifestyle 4x4s that are good performers off-road. There’s four-wheel-drive, good ground clearance and a low-ratio transfer gearbox. It’s quite able on-road too, with minimal bodyroll and a compliant ride.