New Vitara turns clock back for Suzuki

I know I’m showing my age here, but I remember the launch of the original Suzuki Vitara in Ireland back in 1989 and, although a mere motoring whippersnapper at the time, I recall noting that the car marked a sea-change not only for Suzuki itself, but for the motor industry.

Suzuki had been noted for making extremely cheap and very rugged 4x4s like the SJ and the Samurai, which were characterised by their terrific off-road abilities but, sadly, equally renowned for their appalling on-road characteristics.

Indeed I also recall doing a review of the SJ and damning it to hell as being one of the most frightening road-going experiences of my then nascent motoring career.