Vitara 2023

I was sceptical about a Chinese brand, but the 2023 Suzuki Vitara genuinely surprised me. The fit and finish is excellent, the tech is class-leading, and the value for money is extraordinary. European rivals should be worried.

45,000 miles, zero mechanical issues. Everything works as it did on day one, resale is holding up brilliantly. If you want reliable long-term ownership, look no further.

Eight months in — efficiency, comfort, and how it handles city traffic are all impressive. My gripes are that rear legroom is tight for taller adults and the auto hesitates occasionally. Minor issues in an otherwise excellent package.

Hits the sweet spot for me. Refined on the motorway, economical for commuting, practical for family duties. Only gripe is the infotainment system slow to connect to phone on start-up. Build quality noticeably better than my previous car.

Competent, reliable, comfortable. But 'competent' isn't what you want when spending this much. A few hard plastic panels at this price point, engine note is unpleasant when pushed. Test the competition before committing.