This… is the Suzuki Vitara. A car that’s been knocking around in one form or another since the ‘80s, when it was more at home bouncing across fields than parked outside Waitrose. But this one? This is the modern 1.4 Boosterjet S Auto ALLGRIP — which sounds less like a car and more like a Japanese robot from a Saturday morning cartoon. Under the bonnet sits Suzuki’s 1.4-litre turbocharged petrol engine with 138 horsepower. Doesn’t sound like much, but because the Vitara isn’t weighed down with three tonnes of German leather and mood lighting, it actually shifts. 0–60 in under 10 seconds, and it’ll happily cruise at motorway speeds without breaking a sweat. And the clever bit? ALLGRIP four-wheel drive. Most “soft-roaders” these days are about as useful off-road as a sofa, but the Vitara will actually get muddy without having a nervous breakdown. Running costs? Rather good. Expect up to 52.3 mpg if you’re gentle, insurance is around Group 20, and because it’s Euro 6 petrol it sails through ULEZ and clean-air zones without any surcharges. In short, it’s cheap to run, cheap to insure, and won’t bankrupt you in fuel. When new, this spec was just shy of £24,000 — which, considering the kit, was a bit of a bargain. And speaking of kit, the S model throws in leather and suede seats, LED headlights, sat nav, adaptive cruise, keyless entry, and more safety gizmos than a Volvo convention. Service history? Full, comprehensive, and frankly obsessive. Serviced at: 2,395 miles 10,349 miles 18,777 miles 27,480 miles 35,357 miles 40,580 miles 44,653 miles 46,738 miles 56,475 miles 65,533 miles 75,585 miles 77,966 miles And, because we don’t cut corners, it’ll be serviced again before sale. So what you’re looking at is not just another small SUV. It’s one that’s fun, frugal, brilliantly equipped, properly looked after, and still has enough Japanese stubbornness to go further than the average crossover when the road turns to mud. In short: it’s a car for people who want practicality, but don’t want to be bored to tears.