ISLAND MOTORS' invitation is irresistible. Suzuki's new pride and joy, the Grand Vitara XL-7 Deluxe, has just arrived and is ready to test in Hong Kong, the Sime Darby Group distributor says. I make for the Suzuki showroom in Mongkok as quickly as I can.
The test car is in pearl white, enhancing the presence of this tall, well-proportioned sports utility vehicle. As is the norm with modern Japanese cars, the fit and finish of its body and paintwork are of a high standard. The large alloy wheels add to its muscularity and the bulging wheel arches emphasise this off-roader's presence.
As in many similar vehicles, you sit high with a commanding view of the road. The doors close with a reassuring clunk, with the added weight of side-impact bars embedded within. The V6 engine fires instantly, idles silently and soon you notice how effortlessly the air-conditioning cools you. With front- and rear-mounted air vents, there is a feeling of a controlled climate in the cabin.
The distributor says Grand Vitara fans are most likely families and I think old and young will enjoy the spaciousness of the light-grey leather interior and an expansive window area. Most welcome are the breathable seat backs, perfect for hot, humid days. The driver's seat is more biased towards comfort and lacks lateral support, but after a long drive home the driver will still feel sufficiently refreshed. The steering wheel, adjustable for rake but not reach, does not obstruct your view of the logically laid-out instrumentation. The pedals are nicely weighted and placed to facilitate right- or left-foot braking.
Much ergonomic design has gone into the interior's planning, especially from the driver's point of view. The radio/CD and the climate controls are simple and effective, and the excellent dashboard informs the driver of the vitals at a glance. The automatic gear lever and the low-ratio selector are easily to hand, and that's useful because the Vitara can change from two-wheel to full four-wheel-drive on the move.
Cabin storage is flexible: both rows of seats can be split-folded and offer lots of combinations for the transport of awkward loads. The backs of the seats also have loops and lugs for tying down luggage and other wayward items. The tailgate swings wide to allow easy loading, and even with seven people on board, there is sufficient luggage space to fit a couple of large rucksacks for a day's outing to the New Territories.