More than you bargained for

Whether you want chic or sensible, one thing’s for sure with these small SUVS: they both offer outstanding value for money at three years old

AS THE GLUT of new small SUV models appearing in showrooms starts to drip down to the used market, there are some increasingly appealing bargains to be found.

Take the Suzuki Vitara. It hasn’t got the off-road ability of some larger SUVS, but it does have the look of something much more expensive – especially with its clamshell bonnet, which mimics the design of a Range Rover. And inside, the Vitara is far more spacious than its size would have you believe.

Citroën tried to be a little more original when it came to the C4 Cactus, with styling that stands out from the crowd and plastic Airbumps on the doors that protect the paintwork from car park dings. Then there’s the interior, which is an oasis of minimalism, with the majority of buttons being replaced by a touchscreen infotainment system and soft, comfortable chairs to relax the weary traveller.

These two cars, then, are like chalk and cheese. One is sensible, the other chic. Which makes the better used buy?

DRIVING Performance, ride, handling, re nement

The C4 Cactus is powered by a turbocharged 1.2-litre three-cylinder petrol engine that puts out 109bhp. The Vitara, on the other hand, sticks with a naturally aspirated 1.6-litre fourcylinder petrol engine that makes 118bhp. Seeing as there’s not much between them on outright power, it’s hardly surprising that they accelerate with similar vigour, both taking 9.5sec to do the 0-60mph sprint in our tests.

However, while the Vitara’s engine needs to be revved hard before it gives its best, the C4 Cactus’s starts pulling strongly from just 1500rpm. This makes it easier to maintain snappy progress and means fewer gearchanges are required in everyday driving.

The Vitara has relatively stiff suspension by small SUV standards, so it doesn’t sway about as much through tight corners as the softly sprung C4 Cactus. The Vitara has more front-end grip, too, although it’s let down a little by vague steering that doesn’t weight up quickly enough in corners. The C4 Cactus’s steering is more precise as well as heavier, giving you more confidence when cornering quickly.

Perhaps more pertinently, both cars are easy to manoeuvre in town and have similar

braking distances. That said, the C4 Cactus’s brakes are a little too sharp initially, and this can take a while to get used to.

Despite its stiffer suspension, the Vitara tends to deal with most bumps better than its French rival. The C4 Cactus soaks up speed bumps well enough but is flummoxed by pockmarked surfaces and potholes, which send nasty jolts through the body. It also feels comparatively wallowy over dips and crests.

It is the more peaceful cruiser, though. Citroën’s engine is smoother and quieter at all speeds and there’s a fair bit less wind and road noise to contend with on the motorway. It’s just a pity that the gearshift is so vague; the Vitara’s is far slicker and more precise.

BEHIND THE WHEEL

Driving position, visibility, infotainment, quality

Suzuki has always majored on practical, comfortable interiors, albeit ones that aren’t that interesting to look at. True to form, the Vitara’s interior doesn’t catch your eye like the C4 Cactus’s. It’s built from harder, cheaper-feeling materials throughout, too.

What the Vitara lacks in design and perceived quality, it makes up for in comfort and usability. While there’s plenty of room in the front of both cars, the Vitara has deeper footwells and its steering wheel adjusts for height and reach, whereas the C4 Cactus’s adjusts only for height, making it hard to find the ideal driving position.

The C4 Cactus’s touchscreen infotainment system looks stylish and, although the interface isn’t especially intuitive, the buttons around the perimeter of the screen allow you to move quickly to specific functions.

Infuriatingly, however, the air conditioning is also controlled via the touchscreen, so if you want to tweak the temperature, you can’t simply twist a dial; you have to switch to a specific menu and prod away repeatedly.

The Vitara has more user-friendly rotary dials for its air conditioning and a more intuitive infotainment system, complete with standard sat-nav (optional on the C4 Cactus). The volume control on the edge of the screen isn’t easy to operate while you’re driving, but you can avoid this issue by using the alternative buttons on the steering wheel.

The C4 Cactus’s squishy, armchair-like seats are comfortable initially but don’t offer much in the way of lumbar support, which is a problem on longer trips. The Vitara’s seats are more supportive, but if you’re tall, you might find the backs a little short. That said, two six-footers will have no issues with the amount of space for their legs in either car.

Rear head room is far less impressive, although it’s worth noting that both of our test cars were equipped with panoramic glass roofs (also standard on the Vitara but optional on the C4 Cactus). Cactuses without the panoramic roof are preferable if you regularly carry adults or taller teenagers in the back.

The Vitara has a larger boot, with a wider opening and a smaller lip, making it easier to lift heavy items in and out. It also benefits from a height-adjustable boot floor – something that wasn’t available on the C4 Cactus. What’s more, the Vitara’s rear seatbacks split and fold 60/40, leaving only a slight angle in the floor of the extended load bay, while the C4 Cactus’s fold in one piece and lie at a pronounced angle.

BUYING AND OWNING

Costs, equipment, reliability, safety and security

The C4 Cactus has a clear advantage when it comes to the balance sheets, with its much

‘The C4 Cactus is ummoxed by rough surfaces, but it’s the more peaceful cruiser’

lower purchase price making it a comparative bargain. And even if that means you get less for it when the time comes to sell, the difference won’t outweigh the extra cost of the Vitara.

Due to the C4 Cactus’s more modern engine, you’d think it would get the better fuel economy. But while it has an official average of 60.1mpg compared with the Vitara’s 53.3mpg, when it comes to real-world fuel economy, we averaged around 50mpg in both cars.

However, lower CO2 emissions mean the C4 Cactus will be considerably cheaper on road tax, at £20 per year to the Vitara’s £115.

The saving grace for the Vitara is its more comprehensive kit. Both cars have alloy wheels, cruise control and a 7.0in touchscreen with Bluetooth and a DAB radio, but the Vitara adds sat-nav, a rear-view camera and climate control.

It also scored a five-star Euro NCAP safety rating, whereas the C4 Cactus was given four.

Analogue clock looks smart, but materials are relatively hard and cheap-feelingThe Vitara has easily adjustable controls for its air-con, unlike the CactusSteering wheel adjusts for height and reach, so getting comfortable is easy

Cactus jolts its occupants on rough surfaces, but it has the edge on performance

Despite having rmer suspension, the Vitara deals with bumps and potholes better

You have to use the touchscreen to adjust the air-con – a laborious processStorage tray features a grippy insert that stops your phone from sliding aroundPlush trims and smart digital instruments create an upmarket air

There’s a decent amount of space in the C4 Cactus’s boot, but the rear seatbacks don’t split or fold at; seats are squidgy and relatively at, while the front footwells are shallow

CITROEN C4 CACTUS Soft suspension results in pronounced body lean in corners and a wallowy feelSUZUKI VITARA BEST CRUISER

Vitara has superior grip and balance in corners, but its steering is overly light

Boot is slightly larger than the C4 Cactus’s, with a wider opening and a smaller lip; rear head room isn’t great in either car, although leg room is

ne; seats are more supportive