Suzuki Vitara 1.4 Boosterjet S ALLGRIP 5d Owner Review

I think the Vitara could be described as "Ok", or possibly "Fine". When it's running right it can be quite good to drive, but that isn't very often. I don't find it especially comfortable with it's offset steering wheel, basic seat adjustments and generally poor seat ergonomics - it's just about okay-ish. Unfortunately the quality is, well, unexceptional. Mine has done 67,000 miles and is starting to rattle a lot of feel like a very old, tired car. The cruise control randomly cancels itself if it rains and takes the automated braking with it - Suzuki say they all do that and it's mentioned in most reviews - I can't recommend a car with defective-by-design safety equipment so, no, you probably shouldn't buy one. I guess if you want a small 4x4 it's okay, but nothing special and you can get much the same experience from a Dacia Duster, Vauxhall Mokka and so on for about the same money. Suzuki tell you in the owner's manual that it's NOT an off-road vehicle. Which I think everyone guessed, but they do kinda market it as one and you'd hope the 4x4 models would be okay. I guess it's okay for dealing with winter weather, but it feels like it would shake apart if regularly used off road. Not the most charismatic car in the world. Reasonably good value, I guess. Good points are it can be quite pleasant to drive - but never particularly fun or interesting. It has good fuel economy (40+mpg on petrol) and it has a lot of features (I have the S model). It has some space in the boot but isn't by any means spacious - my previous Peugeot 3008 had a lot more space. I guess it looks quite nice. For a small SUV it's quite nice to drive, but virtually any hatchback is better. It's good value, but that's reflected in the quality of the car - it's pretty flimsy. Bad points. so-so quality and comfort. Pretty dull vehicle overall, but not as bad some some small SUVs. Defective safety equipment means it would be irresponsible to recommend anyone buy one. General sense of mediocre quality, and "that'll do" thinking.