It is now more than 20 years since Suzuki created a compact, four-wheel drive, which it categorised as an SUV but we all know them as off-roading vehicle writes Bob Hickman.

Up until that time your choice was somewhat limited, normally to huge Land Rovers, or Jeep Cherokees, so the Suzuki was in fact a breath of fresh air when it introduced this small, useable, friendly off-road vehicle.

Suzuki consolidated a lot of design and engineering qualities and it has, without doubt, helped the model to endure such a lengthy life span.

It also meant that the compact design now offers more than before, it has more style, more driving pleasure and they do not have a detrimental effect on the fuel economy, which is so important nowadays.

The new Vitara and the Grand Vitara, which has achieved more than 2.8 million sales worldwide, has had a little bit of a makeover. It has had certain features added and engines have been modified.

For example the 2.4-litre petrol now incorporates a balancer shaft to make the engine even smoother, it has more power, more torque and is quieter than its predecessor.

There is a 1.6-litre petrol engine available in addition but the one for me and the one that a lot of people will look at because of the sheer economics is the 1.9-litre diesel engine.

Vitara has advanced in leaps and bounds over the last few years especially the build quality and styling of the exterior which you either loved or loathed. It now gives a sturdy feel and is almost mini Range Rover in its appearance.

Suzuki has equipped the latest models with a whole plethora of standard equipment, which include folding door mirrors, remote central locking, and stability control.

The Vitara was never intended to be a driver’s car that would hold the road leech-like and have dynamic handling characteristics, but that having been said it handles quite well.

If you accept the fact that this is a large car with a somewhat higher centre of gravity than an awful lot of family cars then handling isn’t too bad.

Where of course the vehicle comes into its own is on the occasions when you might venture off the main roads and on to that muddy field to visit the car boot sale or you need to extricate your boat up that slippery slipway. This is then the vehicle for you.

It is also a vehicle I really would like to be my companion when the good old English weather changes and the snow and ice come to us, as it did earlier in the year.

Then I would feel wonderfully cocooned in my Vitara with its four-wheel drive and I could drive majestically along snow laden roads and pass vehicles slithering and sliding about.

The power from the 1.9-litre turbo charged diesel in my test vehicle was at all times useable. Suzuki suggest that it is producing 127 bhp and its CO2 emissions have been reduced which is always an important feature.

They are now down to 179g/km from 185 g/km.

The vehicle is not as economical as you may think but 41.5 mpg on the combined cycle is I suppose in this day and age acceptable for a vehicle of this size which after all will accommodate five people in a degree of comfort and opulence and easily swallow all their luggage.

The cost of ownership of this particular type of vehicle is very good and I think that this is where Suzuki has scored heavily over the years.

For example a 1.6-litre three-door could be yours from £15,400. If you desire a five-door this is available from £18,850.

There is still a stigma attached to ownership of large off-road type 4×4 vehicles in urban areas but I believe the Suzuki Grand Vitara has a balance of what is acceptable and sneaks in under the fence by being an OK vehicle to own.