VITARA is hardly a new name in the Suzuki stable – it has been with us since 1988 – but the latest incarnation is a million miles away from the rugged off-roader that first introduced a lot of drivers to the brand.

There has been a steady evolvement over 27 years through changes in body size and powertrain to create a sports utility vehicle equally at home in the city and countryside.

For 2015, we have something rather different.

With looks not dissimilar to the Range Rover Evoque and a raft of personalisation options, this is very much a Vitara for the 21st century.

Key to its success will also be the price tag. With a starting price of £13,999, you get a lot for your money, and even the top of the range petrol models will leave you with change from £20,000.

First impressions are excellent. The compact dimensions of this five-door will not deter those looking for an urban runaround that is relatively easy to park and has the advantage of a raised driving position.

With a nod to Suzuki’s SUV styling heritage, the clamshell bonnet gives the front end a beefy look of solidity, while the roof line slopes gently downward toward the rear.

There are LED daytime running lights on even the entry model, together with 16-inch alloy wheels, so you get the feeling that you are not being short-changed.

Bodywork colour is quite often key to a new car purchase and here again Suzuki scores highly.

There are 10 to choose from, including two new colours – turquoise and orange metallic – as well as five two-tone combinations, which incorporate a black or white roof.

Not only that, you can add a £500 Urban pack (chrome-plated fog lamp bezels, body-side mouldings and a roof spoiler) or Rugged pack (front and rear skid plates, black fog lamp bezels, body-side mouldings and loading edge protection).

Other available personalisations include white or black front grille, instrument panel and ventilation louvre ring trim colours and a clock.

Bluetooth and DAB Radio, cruise control, auto air conditioning, front and rear electric windows and projector headlamps are fitted as standard in SZ4 entry models, while further up the food chain in SZT specification you get find smartphone link audio and navigation, 17-inch alloys and rear privacy glass SZ5 trim adds LED projector headlamps, polished alloys, keyless entry with start button, adaptive cruise control and radar brake support.

Step inside and there’s more to raise the eyebrows. There are hints of toughness in the cabin layout but equally the ventilation louvres help give a sporty look.

The driving position is excellent, and if you opt for the SZ5 you will find yourself in very comfortable suede seats and with an electric panoramic tilt-and-slide sunroof for summer days.

For many, two-wheel drive matched with either the 1.6-litre petrol or 1.6-litre DDiS engine, will be perfectly adequate.

But a Vitara would not be a Vitara without the option of four-wheel drive capability.

Suzuki again employs its tried and tested Allgrip intelligent four-wheel drive, but only as an option on SZ5 models.

The system uses a feedback function to send more torque to the rear wheels if it detects wheel spin at the front.

In Auto mode it employs two-wheel drive by default, only switching to four-wheel drive if wheel spin is detected.

Sport mode is optimal for twisty roads. At low and mid-range engine speeds, the system alters the accelerator/torque characteristics to optimise engine response and cornering performance.

Snow mode uses four-wheel drive by default, optimising four-wheel drive control in accordance with steering and accelerator inputs to promote traction and stability on low friction surfaces.

The Lock mode is for extricating the car from snow, mud or sand by means of a limited slip differential, which helps brake any slipping wheel and transfer torque to the gripping wheels.

With good on-road performance combined with off-road capability, a powertrain that delivers satisfactory levels of performance and fuel economy and some of the lowest CO2 emissions of any compact SUV, Suzuki has not only achieved the right look for the Vitara but also done it at a very good price.

At a glance

Suzuki Vitara 1.6 SZ5 Allgrip

Price: £19,799 (Vitara range from £13,999)

Engine: 1.6-litre four-cylinder petrol, producing 120PS

Transmission: Five-speed manual with Suzuki Allgrip intelligent four-wheel drive

Performance: Top speed 112mph; 0 to 62mph in 12.0 seconds

Economy: 50.4mpg

CO2 emissions: 130g/km