THE NURBURGRING in Germany is certainly an odd place to launch a new 4x4.

Probably the most challenging racing circuit in the world is used by car manufacturers to test their sports models at high speed.

So it was a surprise when Suzuki, a company not noted for high performance sports cars, chose the Nurburgring as the European launchpad for its new Grand Vitara.

Now the new Grand Vitara may be a big step forward over the old Vitara, but it's never going to worry a Ferrari.

Even the V-6 model - a new 2.5-litre unit replacing the old 2.0 six cylinder - struggles beyond 90mph (claimed top speed is 105 mph).

There's much to admire in the new Suzook.

Although it's bigger than the old Vitara called Grand, this isn't an intimidating giant of a 4x4.

Swapping between the Suzuki and Land Rover's Freelander, the Grand Vitara felt the more car-like, something the Japanese engineers would be delighted to hear.

It doesn't have the same commanding driving position as many 4x4s but nor does it suffer from bloated proportions or lousy on-the-road performance.

It's a very good compromise, so good, that the V-6 version is capable of giving the Toyota RAV4 a real run for its money.

Despite its real off-road ladder-type chassis, the Grand Vitara handles acceptably if you are nipping through the Yorkshire Dales.

Take a farmyard detour and the four-wheel-drive won't let you down, either. Driven over an identical off road route, the Vitara coped as well as the Freelander with rutted mudtracks and steep descents.

Drivers likely to spend more time on the road can even ditch the notchy five-speed gearbox for a smooth automatic.

The power-assisted steering is a bit light and the cabin isn't as well thought out as the Freelander or a RAV4 but there's more room inside than either.

Devotees of the existing Vitara who don't want to trade up for a larger model will be relieved to hear the original continues in three-door guise for the time being.

Whereas the original Vitara was a bit of a sheep in wolf's clothing, appealing to motorists who wanted an image car first and an off-roader second, this new model is the real deal.

It's the only small 4x4 to offer a six-cylinder engine and it offers outstanding value. A grand day out? You bet