The Vitara range expanded, literally, with the longer-wheelbase 5-door, 1.6-litre model.

Width stayed the same but the wheelbase went up to 2480mm and the overall length similarly increased to 4030mm.

By this time some models started to feature fuel injection to provide power of 80bhp and a catalytic converter to reduce emissions.

The performance of the 5-door model developed further with the introduction of 16 valves and multi-point fuel injection, giving 95bhp.

More legroom, more luggage capacity and the option of an automatic version helped reached new customers for the Vitara.