The Grand Vitara was named the top model in the prestigious North American Consumers Guide Automotive Best Buy award for Compact Sport Utility Vehicles.

The second generation Grand Vitara, which first went on sale in Australia in August 2005, out-paced a field of four-wheel drive SUV models, including the BMW X3, Ford Escape, Toyota RAV4, Hyundai Tucson, Jeep Wrangler, Kia Sportage, Mazda Tribute, Mitsubishi Outlander and Subaru Forester.

Each year Consumer Guide automotive editors select new vehicles from the hundreds of cars they evaluate and choose the best overall values in 17 category segments, ranging from inexpensive compact cars to premium luxury SUVs.

A vehicle's price, features, accommodation and its performance are all considered when determining the Best Buy or Recommended award. A Best Buy award represents an optimum balance of attributes within its class across ten rating categories.

The versatile Grand Vitara has been a key factor in rising sales of Suzuki cars in the United States. Sales of new Suzuki automobiles were up 28 per cent for the first ten months of 2006, making it one of the fastest growing automotive brands in the US market.

"The company's record year has been driven by the success of the Grand Vitara with an astounding 419 per cent increase over 2005," said Koichi Suzuki, President of American Suzuki's Automotive Operations.

American Suzuki is on target for 100,000 sales in 2006, the first time the company has achieved this number in its 21-year history.

Suzuki's North American sales are also being boosted by the arrival of the multi-purpose SX4 five-door compact cross-over model which has been enthusiastically received. The all new SX4 is scheduled to go on sale in Australia in the first quarter of 2007.

The Grand Vitara has collected several honours, including the Sport Truck Connection Television Annual Light Truck and SUV award in the United States and Four Wheeler magazine's Four Wheeler of the year title.

Suzuki has been honoured with the Sport Truck Connection Television ALTAS award, for the fifth consecutive year, after an evaluation of more than 100,000 vehicles.

"Endorsement of the Grand Vitara's attributes in North America is mirrored here in Australia where Suzuki's four-wheel drive range has long been highly regarded," said Mr Takeshi Hayasaki, Managing Director, Suzuki Australia.

In Australia the Grand Vitara is available with the choice of a three door and five-door variant and both feature sporty, dynamic designs with an emphasis on elegance and utility for the 5 door, whilst the 3 door has a bold, athletic nature.

Australian prices (RRP) for the Grand Vitara start at $23,990 for the 3 door, $28,990 for the 2.0 litre 5 door and $30,990 for the 2.7 litre V6 engine. Automatic transmission is an extra $2,000.