Video | Suzuki Vitara: take a look at our week behind the wheel

The Suzuki Vitara also offers a high-rise SUV driving position which, mixed with compact urban-friendly dimensions, makes manoeuvring around town a breeze. “My wife wants a taller car and the Suzuki Vitara does sit slightly higher than most cars,” says Rafael. “It offers better visibility – it gives the feeling of driving above the traffic.”

At just 4175mm long and 1775mm wide, tight spaces aren’t an issue in the Suzuki Vitara either: “It’s a comfortable size,” says Rafael. “I’ve driven it in plenty of tight situations this week, and it’s very easy to gauge the proportions of the car and fit into tight spaces.”

Great equipment for all the family

Inside, the Suzuki Vitara offers a wealth of advanced infotainment technology mixed with heaps of comfort. In front of the driver, a high-definition 4.2in colour LCD screen displays important vehicle information – including torque output, regenerative braking, fuel consumption, and even a G-force tracker for a bit of fun.

On the dashboard, the crisp and intuitive 7.0in touchscreen with DAB radio comes as standard, while Android Auto and Apple CarPlay makes linking your smartphone quick, easy and safe. A USB port and 12v socket help keep your devices topped-up, while adaptive cruise control and automatic air conditioning also come as standard.

Privacy glass and plush white seat stitching also comes as standard, while top-spec SZ5 versions offer keyless entry with start button and a vast panoramic sunroof that gives the interior of the Suzuki Vitara a light, airy and welcoming feel. Interior materials are solid and plush, while supportive seats make long journeys a joy.

Rafael loves his music, podcasts and audiobooks and thought the sound system in the Suzuki Vitara was a highlight: “The DAB radio works great. The sound system is quite good, too, it’s loud and clear. And with the EQ changes I personally prefer, it did a very good job.

“I used Apple CarPlay because I have an iPhone. It’s great for Maps and Waze, and with all the laws surrounding mobile phones in cars, it’s essential to have easy connectivity like this.

The panoramic sunroof was a winner, too: “Everyone loved the sunroof, especially the kids. They loved it when it was raining and kept asking me to open it when the sun came out. It gave a really nice atmosphere inside the car at night too, which I didn’t expect.”

Plenty of versatile room

All family SUVs must be practical, and the Suzuki Vitara delivers by the bucketload. With 362 litres of space, a square design, a wide-opening tailgate, a couple of useful cubbies and a trick false-floor, the boot of the Suzuki Vitara is extremely practical. If you need more space, simply fold down the 60:40-split rear seats.

Clearly, space is important for Rafael and his family. “I have a three-year-old and an eight-month-old”, he says. “That means two child seats and sometimes two prams, and bags to carry the extra clothes and nappies and snacks.”

“We took the Suzuki Vitara for the big monthly shop, and it fitted everything including the kids’ prams which I wasn’t quite expecting. I also traded a large electronic keyboard for a new guitar during the week and got both in the back easily with the seats folded down. The kids were comfortable in the back seats, too. My daughter’s child seat is front facing, while my son’s is rear facing. It was easy enough to put their chairs in with the Isofix, easier than in other cars we’ve had.”

Up front, a wealth of useful cubbies and large door bins mean you’ll never run out of space for your tech, drinks and snacks, while there’s plenty of headroom for adults despite the sporty sloping roofline.

Cost-saving hybrid power

Out on the open road, the Suzuki Vitara uses an efficient and punchy hybrid powertrain that offers the benefit of an electric boost without the need to plug in. It blends a torquey 1.4-litre turbocharged petrol engine with an advanced lightweight 48v hybrid system that amps up the power delivery, while also using intelligent regenerative braking to put power back into the battery for later use – improving fuel efficiency as a result.

When accelerating, the electrically enhanced 129hp and 235N of torque has plenty of poke, getting you from 0-60mph in a swift and effortless 9.5 seconds. Below speeds of 10mph, the electric motor takes control of engine idling, helping you save fuel around town. All this makes for official economy figures of 52.7mpg (WLTP), with CO2 emissions as low as 121g/km – helping you save on road tax.

“The Suzuki Vitara is nice and light to drive”, says Rafael. “The clutch was one of the highlights of the car because it’s so forgiving. The road noise is very acceptable too, the engine is very quiet – quieter than my current car.

“Acceleration was very respectable, and the Sport mode sharpens the response which is great for overtaking. And, since the hybrid system is able to put power back into the battery, it can help you save on fuel and every little helps these days.”

Advanced safety technology

Finally, the Suzuki Vitara is designed to be incredibly safe for you and your family. It comes with seven airbags as standard, a 5-star Euro NCAP rating and a vast array of driver aids that lend an extra pair of eyes when on the road, letting you drive more confidently.

Dual Sensor Brake Support comes as standard and offers an audio and visual warning if it detects a potential collision and will apply the brakes with increased force to help avoid an accident, while Lane Departure Warning will sound an alarm and steer you back into lane if you start wandering across the central line.