Like the diminutive Suzuki Jimny had ably proven over those treacherous, narrow hairpin mountain tracks in the Klein Karoo, the Grand Vitara proved more so. It should be, with its more powerful 3.2-litre V6 quadcam motor.

The Suzuki Grand Vitara is a true 4x4 off-road vehicle with advanced all-wheel drive system that incorporates a low-range transfer case with easy electronic switching between modes. Also included is a torque-sensing centre differential that can vary power between the front and rear axles depending on road conditions and driving style.

But the icing on the cake must be its impressive performance through those tight, rock-strewn, two-point hairpin bends via the able assistance of the centre differential and low range mode that offer greater traction and stability.

Then it was onto the beach sand at the coast, which it handled with aplomb. This was achieved at relatively high speed, with little or no bother over especially the tighter stuff that included steep inclines with sharp bends.

The Grand Vitara belies its more serious off-road abilities with its somewhat soft 4x2 powder-puff styling.

At the base of its all-round abilities is a rather novel and unique monocoque chassis with integrated ladder frame, something I’ve never come across before. Monocoque chassis were created to replace the ladder type chassis.

The combination of the two is truly unique, but the resulting body rigidity and handling, while better than a traditional ladder-frame bakkie or SUV, is not up to the same standard as modern softroaders like the VW Tiguan. Neither is the ride quality for that matter.

But those vehicles do set a rather high standard, and the Suzuki’s car-like multi-link rear suspension and quick-ratio rack-and-pinion steering do make for the kind of road manners that will keep most owners happy. And the Suzuki does have a huge advantage over the ‘soft’ 4x4s to boot.

What’s more, cruising about in the Grand Vitara could be more rewarding were it not for its absent-minded automatic box that seems at times to get trite confused. In frugality terms it managed 13 litres per 100km, which included some pretty hard driving.

Although spacious and well finished the cabin is nondescript, while on the outside in overall terms the Grand Vitara’s styling can be confused with that of its many Eastern rivals. When it comes to specific power and torque outputs it’s in line with most rivals except the Freelander that is at the top of the pile, but will also set you back around R30k more.

Apart from the good news that South Africa is among the very first to receive the new Grand Vitara, another upside is the four stars it gained for occupant protection in the Euro NCAP safety ratings, three for pedestrian protection and three for child safety.