I wanted/needed a 4x4 because of the location of my work and also my hobbies.

I probably researched what was the best fit for me over a 3 month period as I didn't want to make a mistake.

I wanted something with decent fuel economy and performance with all weather driving ability and I don't think I could have found better for anywhere near the price I paid for my Vitara. I knew a new model was coming out but didn't want to wait at that time and I don't regret anything about my purchase.

We didn't have any particular bad weather last year so I was forced to take the car out onto the moors during winter.

I knew a road up in the hills which would be a challenge and I think I under-estimated the conditions. I would have turned around and went home a safer way if I could have, I couldn't.

A road which had known ditches on either side was virtually impossible to locate in 6" of snow which had drifted to hide any ditches and meant I was comitted to going in one direction only. To make matters worse, the snow had turned to sheet ice.

I had the normal tyres on so was in for a challenge.

I had no option but to go straight ahead, down snow/ice covered roads which for most of the time were 45 degrees down and turns which were at 90 degrees with a sheer drop to one side. I put the car into snow/mud mode, locked the dif and pressed the hill descent button. I took my foot off the pedals and let the car do the rest. It was a leap of faith and one I felt uncomfortable with but I'm glad that I did it.

The car was a beast, I was watching the road, my knockles were white as I held onto the stearing wheel as if my life depended on it, it probably did, the car went everywhere I asked it to go. I had no drift, no loss of traction or anything. The car was faultless and I have complete faith that this car will always get me to where I want to go.

I've taken the car up and down hardknott pass in the lake district in sports mode and it's the first car I've driven up the pass where the clutch didn't burn and I did most of the pass at or close to the maximum speed limit, something which I've never done before in any of my previous cars.

The 6 speed manual gearbox is smooth and the gears are where I like them so I don't have to move the gear stick too far.

I have the same niggles as others, the boot is light but I've mastered it, unless I try to show somebody else how to close it. The infotainment system is sometimes sluggish and I can dial the wrong person because it's going slower than I am and I hit a contact which has moved after I've removed my finger.

The RBA is a 9/10 for me, it doesn't get 10 because it doesn't work below 25mph. The RBA fails at times but you're well notified so it is not dangerous, I have learned that it will come back on itself when the problem is resolved. At first I would turn the engine off to reset it.

The back end does jump around a bit if you hit a big bump, my old hot hatch did the same.

The niggles are minor, what this car does well is virtually everything.

If I replace my current car it will be with another Vitara as the car is a bit of everything.

Put it into sports mode and it drives like a nippy hot hatch with plenty of poke. It holds more than enough luggage and the driving position is second to none.

I would like a home button for the satnav so you don't have to scroll through a few screens to get to the option. In fact I would liek a few physical buttons for the infotainment system.

I would also like to play videos while I drive for my passangers.

Some form of spare wheel should be an option, I've been in a position of having to get somebody out for a simple puncture. I often drive away from a phone signal which means I would be completely stuck and unable to call for help.

Maybe have a better fuel cap opener than a lever inside the car.

If anybody is thinking about getting this car, stop wasting your time and get one, go for the 1.4 engine and you'll not regret it and the selectable 4 wheel drive is great when needed so pay the extra and go for that.