Whether you love them or loath them, 'soft-roaders' are here to stay and it's Suzuki who's partly responsible for them. It launched one of the first - the Vitara - back in 1988 and set the soft-roader trend that other manufacturers followed. This third generation model is major step up from the model it replaces. It's stylish, better to drive, and is great value for money, comparing well on price and specification to models offered by Kia, Hyundai and Nissan. It's available as a shortened three-door or the more popular five-door, but both offer impressive off road ability, as well as safe and reassuring handling on road. Between 2008 and 2009 the model was revised with subtle changes to the exterior and a more upmarket cabin.
ESP stability control was also made standard on all models.