shrub

Thanks, yes makes sense. Will go and have a look at one properly soon. I'm hoping that it offers a more upright driving position than the S-Cross which I find a bit low after the Yeti.

I'm enjoying your Vitara updates Amanda, keep them coming. I can't seem to find a decent Suzuki forum. My Suzuki dealer phoned me the other day trying to get me to swap the S-Cross I have only had for 15 months, If I did it would be for a Vitara (or Yeti), but not yet, when the automatic Vitara is available and has been comprehensively reviewed. I remain delighted with the fuel economy of my petrol S-Cross. A trip to Chichester and back yesterday (from the midlands) returned an indicated 55 mpg! I know what you mean about the ride being good on diesel versions, it is the same with the S-Cross. Trouble is I don't need, and can't justify the cost of, the diesel version. One question, how do you find the road noise? The S-Cross isn't too bad but I have read in the inconsistent motoring press that the Vitara suffers from intrusive noise? Mind you they say that about the Yeti and it isn't bad.

Lots of decent/premium cars getting four stars these days due to revised Euroncap criteria. Well done Suzuki for getting the five stars. Suzuki were also one of the only manufacturers to do well in the latest US small overlap crash tests before manufacturers started modifying their cars. Look at the IIHS website.

Best Suzuki colours are Galactic Grey and Boost Blue but sadly the latter is not available on new Vitara.

Well, I would think the mechanicals should be trouble free, mine have been except perhaps an occasionally obstructive gear change in cold weather and what feels like a very slight clutch judder, just for the first couple of changes. I believe that this is because Suzuki have used a low friction gearbox oil (to help reduce co2); Toyota had a similar problem a few years back. This last week the gearbox has been fine, but then the weather has been warmer. Suzuki have checked it and declared it fault free anyway. The issues I have had are all build/fit/finish related. They are not significant enough for me to want to take the car in and in fairness are no greater in number than I had with the Yeti, but they are disappointing: Headlining does not fit under the seal at the rear of the roof and so the edge of the trim looks untidy; The passenger front door panel pressing is slightly out and makes the panel fit look rough at the bottom; The dash rattles when you have the heater on (assume that this is due to expansion of plastic) and some other little rattles at other times, including the parcel shelf which keeps popping out of its clips and finally the driver's seat cushion occasionally clicks when my weight shifts on it as if the cushion is slightly loose. The seat base is secure, it is something to do with the foam. The dealer offered to strip the seat down but I don't want it pulling apart because I've worked in dealerships and see how little some technicians care for your property. Finally, it isn't a fault as such but the hard plastic in the boot and some of the interior scratches very easiIy. I can't help thinking that if Suzuki put a couple of hundred pounds more into the trim and fittings and priced the car say £500 more it would still be great value but feel up with the class leaders for perceived quality. That might all sound a bit negative but it is a very good and reliable car and I think that most of these issues may relate to me having one from the first few months of production. None of the issues have resulted in a breakdown.

Good choice, Galactic Grey with black roof is the only two tone version I like. As a rule (from the videos and photos) the separately coloured roof makes the car look lower and more squashed in the top half to me. I'll reserve final judgement until I've seen one. My Suzukis have always been reliable but I've got a few early production issues with my S-Cross, hope your Vitara is a good one Amanda. Nothing affecting the reliability but a bit annoying when I stop and consider it. The Yeti has been on sale for a few years now and many of the issues seem to affect the earlier cars (paint, gearbox, cam chain etc). Given that I'll have the S-Cross for another year or two I should be ok if I go for another Yeti or Vitara.

Thanks Amanda It will be interesting to see how it feels when I take a look. Having sat in a Yeti again the other day I do miss that VAG solid feel though. Having said that my S Cross feels solid enough, just not in a special way. My understanding is that the auto in the new Vitara will be a conventional 6 speed auto, albeit a very efficient one. I was not aware of a DSG style option. I look forward to reading about your experiences with the new Vitara. Hope it all goes well.

Can't remember who asked but the 1.6 petrol engine in the S-Cross and new Vitara is the same unit (in a different state of tune) as that found in the Swift Sport. It performs well if you rev it, well mine does, although I prefer the torque and low rev pull of my old turbo 1.2 in the Yeti. Someone else mentioned size? My S-Cross is a longer car and has more useable space in it than my Yeti; the boot and rear legroom are noticeably better although it loses to the Yeti on headroom and boot height if you want to stand things up. I can't see the space saver costing too much for the Vitara. It uses the same, albeit shortened, floorpan as the S-Cross and everything is recessed without the need for false boot floors or additional trim. Lady E, I haven't been to see the new Vitara yet, I will shortly, but how does the driving position compare to the S-Cross (have you sat in one?) and the Yeti? Do you feel noticeably higher up in the Vitara than the S-Cross? I miss the height of my Yeti and from what I have read the Vitara should go some way towards restoring that sense of adventure. I look forward to them introducing four wheel drive lower down the range.

I've driven the S-Cross, with the same turbo diesel Fiat engine that is in the new Vitara. Sorry for any confusion

I've driven it, definitely a turbo diesel.

The Suzuki forums are poor, very little traffic apart from one S-Cross owners club forum that was set up but then taken down just as it was getting going. Another reason to stick with Skoda perhaps! Yes, Lady E, a petrol turbo Suzuki engine is on the way and will hopefully be offered in the Vitara. The diesel Fiat lump is a bit agricultural but its very good on fuel and the weight of it settles the suspension down nicely, in the S-Cross at least.

I agree, Suzuki, or most others, don't have an answer to a Yeti 4x4 DSG. I'll be back in one within a couple of years and my dad has just ordered a new one. The S-Cross feels like a regular car that has been lifted on its suspension whereas you sit in a Yeti and get a sense of adventure. I hope that the next generation retains its upright stance.

You're welcome. I like Suzukis too, I've had three new ones over the years and I wouldn't rule out a fourth at some stage. They are on the value side of things (and feel it in parts) but they drive well and they work, some of them even look good. Mine is boost blue, an excellent colour and the front end looks a lot better in the flesh than in some of the photos. I'm looking forward to trying the new Vitara, it does have an excellent spec although I'm disappointed that you have to have the top of the range trim level to get the option of four wheel drive or automatic. Fuel economy on the S-Cross is very impressive. I have averaged over 50 mpg (calculated) on several long, steady trips and mine is the petrol version. It isn't perfect, not by a long chalk, but it suits me at the moment.

Not posted here for some time but thought I'd join in since I have owned a Yeti and own an S-Cross... I would have the Yeti for its character, higher driving position, steering feel on the motorway, pleasing shove from the turbo engines (1.2TSI vs 1.6 n/a Suzuki), residual values (are they still excellent?), trim quality (the odd buzz aside), solid feel, headroom. I would choose the Suzuki for its bigger boot (significantly so with spare wheel option on the Yeti), better fuel economy (approx 10%), more rear legroom, value for money, lower co2/VED, standard spec. Both cars handle well but the Yeti feels more solid at speed whereas the S-Cross feels a little more agile around town. The S-cross ride is slightly better but still below par compared to a Golf/Octavia (I haven't driven a facelift Yeti though). Objectively the S-Cross is the more suitable car for my needs but the truth is I chose one because the Yeti increased in price so much since I bought one of the first and the Suzuki (particularly the lower half of the range) is a lot of decent car for the money. I have the petrol S-Cross and there is zero Fiat input. For those who want a Suzuki alternative to the Yeti I would look at the new Vitara. It is a more upright shape and has a more SUVish driving position, bit shorter though.

Contact What Car?, Auto Express, Honest John etc etc. Skoda love seeing their cars do well in the surveys that are printed in these magazines. They might go that extra mile if bad publicity is threatened. Assuming that they don't sort it out for you in the first instance.

My old Yeti used to do it as well. Makes you wonder what the engineers were thinking when the development prototypes were speaking and rattling away before the car was launched. They test them across different temperature ranges and so it can't be down to build quality if thermal expansion is to blame.

Much smaller car, the 2008. It is basically a 208 estate pretending to be a crossover. Clever, if cynical marketing. I looked at one but it was too small for my needs.

Didn't get a chance to ring the dealer today but from what I have just read on the UP! owners club it is an engine management upgrade. 30 min job, apparently. For the record, both of our cars are the 1.0 60ps unit. When I do phone up I will enquire as to what issue/s the upgrade is supposed to address.

Both of our cars were built mid to late 2012 (62 plate). There is now a thread (without answers) on the Up owners club forum. I will let you all know what it is all about on Monday.

Thanks for the replies. I am pretty sure that it isn't gearbox, or at least clutch, related because we have a manual and an ASG and both have received the same notice.

Hello Citigoers, Mrs Shrub and Mother Shrub have received "product enhancement" notification letters from VW this morning for their VW UP!s. I am assuming that this free of charge 'product enhancement' work is New Labour for a recall. I cannot find what it relates to and so wondered if any of you have recently received a notice for your Citigos? There is a good chance it will affect both models. The code is 24AH. The only recall I have found on the VOSA site dates back to May, has a different code, and relates to the side airbags. I'll ring the dealer on Monday. ??????

I assume that the 1.2 TSI was lowered to improve the fuel economy. The FL 1.2 has lower co2 and better mpg without any engine changes. Must be down to the lower ride height. It's a negative in my book, the 20mm is noticeable from the driver's seat.

Sounds a bit too like Vettel for my liking. I don't like the dashboard vents that stretch across the whole of the passenger side either. These things have to be seen in the flesh though. I went to see the Suzuki S Cross the other day and it is so much nicer in the flesh than the pictures had me believe.

I traded in a Ford Ka in 2000 and it was worth no more than the PCP GMFV figure. The trade in cleared the finance but there was no equity. PCP is great for Yeti because of the strong residuals, some other manufacturers have been a little cynical in the past with getting those monthly payments down and leaving an optimistic GMFV.

I liked my old one and I like the look of the FL in Outdoor spec. Wouldn't knock either for looks.