Baleno and Vitara Winning Hearts - and Awards

Both the new Baleno hatch and the expanded range of Vitara compact SUVs are not only finding favour with plenty of new customers, but they are also impressing the awards judges as the latest New Zealand motoring accolades attest.

The Baleno has been named class winner for new cars costing less than $30,000 in the AMI Insurance/New Zealand Autocar of the Year 2016 Awards. NZ Autocar magazine praised the car’s value and added space; “Here is a car that sells for the same money as high-end Swifts but is much roomier inside”.

While the Baleno is larger, it weighs less and features a zesty 1.4 litre, 16-valve engine, so NZ Autocar also had good things to say about its pace and economy. “Those with an eye for a bargain shouldn’t overlook this surprise from the sub-continent” they said.

Meanwhile the compact SUV Vitara range continues to find favour with motorists, fuelling Suzuki’s 44% increase in SUV sales in 2016. Vitara too, received praise being named Small SUV of the Year by both NZ4WD magazine and the business-focussed NZ Company Vehicle.

“Vitara was a real highlight for us”, said Gary Collins, General Manager of Marketing for Suzuki New Zealand. “Both the 1.6 litre and the new 1.4 BoosterJet Turbo models are finding a sweet spot with our customers with their style, value for money, easy economic performance and traditional Suzuki SUV talents.”