Sightseeing with the Suzuki Vitara

However a visit from two relatives from the UK focused me once more. The occasion was the quick gee-whiz tour of Pretoria. With just hours to accomplish this I was obviously only going to scratch the surface of our fascinating capital.

Top of the list for the folk from Mud-Island was the Nelson Mandela statue at the Union Buildings. I let my brother drive and he commented immediately on the commanding driving position. I pointed out that the Grand Vitara was a 4×4 and hence the extra ride height and higher driving position. At this point his wife became interested because living in the frequently wet English countryside all-wheel drive is a serious safety consideration.

The Vitara is not just an allwheel drive – it is a serious offroader with a low and high ratio gearbox. Now they were really interested as they are in the market for a new vehicle, but had not felt they would be able to get the level of ride comfort the Vitara offered without paying an arm and a leg.

Their attention having been understandably diverted by the spectacular Mandela statue and its surrounds we headed for our old school, having been designed by the same Sir Herbert Baker.

Our overseas visitors continued to be impressed by the Vitara commenting on the individual reading lights and sunglass holder for the front seats.

Apparently the greatest use for a sun visor where they come from is to hold a mirror. Fascinated, they tugged out the visor extension and I explained that in sunny South Africa when the visor is deployed to the side, the gap between the visor and the B-pillar can prove to be a blinding problem. The Vitara’s solution is a major plus factor.

Routing via Church Square to show them Oom Paul and his Kommandos before, the Vitara impressed with its manoeuvrability in the dense city traffic.

Despite being reasonably spacious, the Vitara is actually a fairly compact vehicle and much easier to park than one might first imagine.

The Voortrekker Monument marked the end of the lightning tour, in part because it is close to my home. But it is a truly fascinating place which is very well-run.

The girls then decided to drive back so that we could pass some shops. I had always thought they had those in Britain.

This meant my brother and I were in the back where I found I had plenty of room, but I folded the armrest down just in case.

I have simply lost too many fights over the imaginary line in the back seat on so many family trips.