Overview & Reviews
The Suzuki Grand Vitara is a small SUV that attempts to deliver the often mutually exclusive attributes of off-road ability and on-road comfort. In its first generation, the Grand Vitara featured a trucklike chassis, V6 power and low-range gearing. The current model is similar, but features a body structure that blends car and truck chassis designs.
Due to a variety of shortcomings, the original Grand Vitara did not achieve a great deal of success in the U.S. marketplace. The current model is greatly improved, however, and even if it lacks the refinement of its many compact SUV competitors, its rough-and-tumble nature makes it a good choice for those who like to escape the urban grind with adventures into the great outdoors.
Current Suzuki Grand Vitara
The Suzuki Grand Vitara has seating for five passengers, a long list of standard features and available four-wheel drive with low-range gearing.
There are four styles available for the Suzuki Grand Vitara: Base, Premium, Ultimate Adventure Edition and Limited. Even base and Premium models are pretty well equipped with features like automatic climate control, full power accessories, a removable Garmin navigation unit and side curtain airbags. The Ultimate Adventure Edition gets a few items that'll come in handy out in the wilderness like heated front seats, water-resistant upholstery and foglights, while the Limited gets luxurious upgrades like leather seating, keyless ignition/entry and a premium sound system. Bluetooth is optional on all but the base Grand Vitara.
Every Suzuki Grand Vitara is powered by a 2.4-liter inline four-cylinder that produces 166 horsepower and 162 pound-feet of torque. A five-speed manual transmission is standard on base models, while all other versions get a four-speed automatic. Rear-wheel drive is standard across the lineup, but Premium models can also be had with a four-wheel-drive system with a low-range transfer case. Limited models are offered with a four-mode 4WD system (4H, 4H Lock, 4L Lock and N) that allows the Grand Vitara to be flat-towed behind an RV without adding miles to the odometer.
Like most other compact SUVs, the Grand Vitara features a carlike unibody chassis for improved body rigidity, handling and safety. Suzuki has attempted to differentiate it, however, by incorporating a ladder frame design into the unibody structure. The company says this enhances the vehicle's off-road and towing abilities. In editorial reviews, this Suzuki SUV has earned favorable commentary for its long list of standard features, attractive price and above-average abilities when taken off-pavement. Its slow acceleration, unimpressive fuel economy and general lack of refinement, however, make it less appealing than other compact crossovers.
Used Suzuki Grand Vitara Models
The present second-generation Suzuki Grand Vitara debuted for the 2006 model year with one engine -- a 2.7-liter V6 that was capable of 185 hp. Changes were minimal until 2009, when a comprehensive midcycle update brought about the current four-cylinder engine and a much more powerful 3.2-liter V6. The V6 was available on XSport and Luxury trims and made 230 hp and 213 lb-ft of torque. Other changes included some redesigned interior controls and a new grille and front bumper design. Unfortunately, the V6 was discontinued after 2010, but finding a used example from its two years on the market would be a good idea. The Ultimate Adventure Edition was unavailable prior to 2012.
The first-generation Suzuki Grand Vitara debuted for the 1999 model year and lasted through 2005. It served as a replacement for the Sidekick, Suzuki's previous compact SUV. There was also a "regular" Vitara -- the difference between the two was that the Grand Vitara came with a V6 engine and more standard equipment and was available as a four-door body style only.
In its first year, the Grand Vitara was the only small SUV for the U.S. market equipped with a V6 engine. Upon release, this 2.5-liter V6 made 155 hp. Other distinct design elements included a trucklike chassis and low-range gearing on four-wheel-drive models. The main trim levels were either two-wheel-drive JS or four-wheel-drive JLX. There were also "plus" versions that came standard with antilock brakes and alloy wheels. In 2000, a plush Limited model was released that featured, among other luxuries, leather seating. In 2002 the V6 gained 10 more hp, and in 2003 Suzuki simplified the trim levels to be known simply as 2WD and 4WD.
Though many of its specs looked good on paper, this Suzuki Grand Vitara's shortcomings quickly became apparent in editorial reviews. The V6's output lagged behind many competitors' four-cylinder engines; ride quality was poor over rough pavement; and the interior was short on comfort and space. For the most part, shoppers interested in a used SUV should look elsewhere.
User Reviews:
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nice suv - 2000 Suzuki Grand Vitara
By russm3 - April 23 - 10:00 amI bought this car used and did not no if we would like it we love it its been great and no problems
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To the naysayers - 2010 Suzuki Grand Vitara
By Ben Hogan - April 21 - 2:40 pmI have been a Suzuki owner for 2+ years. First with the SX4 Crossover and now the 2010 Grand Vitara. First let me say that Suzuki is far under rated. The new 2010 Grand Vitara is a dream to drive. Most of my miles are highway, to and from work and support driving for my computer work. The Grand Vitara is a pleasure to drive. It gets around 24 to 25 mpg on the highway and around 20 around town. It is highway quite and all the features are very functional. My base model is equipped with navigation, bluetooth, msn traffic and fm traffic. All function through the radio speakers. Nice. Comfort is outstanding. Give this small SUV a second look.
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Nice Ride for the Money! - 2006 Suzuki Grand Vitara
By Sandriver - April 12 - 10:10 amAbout a month ago I purchased a Suzuki Grand Vitara and what a nice ride! At the time I was looking to purchase a small size SUV to use as my daily drive car and did a lot of looking on the net. I basically narrowed it down to the Hyundai Santa Fe, Kia Sportage and the Suzuki Grand Vitara. I drove all three vehicles (more than once) and decided to buy the Luxury package model Suzuki Grand Vitara for two main reasons. One was the available horsepower and shifting, the second was the quality of the interior and leather. The motor has more torque and the automatic transmission shifts smoothly. The other two seemed weak and the shifting was jumpy.
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Great Value for a "CUV" - 2006 Suzuki Grand Vitara
By gkato - March 15 - 6:26 amWe have owned many SUVs and we compared the Honda CR-V, Ford Escape, and the new Toyota RAV. I was at a dealership that represented many manufaturers, and test drove the Suzuki Grand Vitara. The value and qulity for this little Cross-Over vehicle beat the competition hands down. This vehicle is for my wife, and her main concern is Safety. The Grand Vitara comes standard with 6 airbags which usually come only in pricier cars. The exterior and interior design are very contemporary and give the feeling of a more expensive vehicle.
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Good value - 2007 Suzuki Grand Vitara
By cuttter - February 18 - 9:30 amFun to drive, nice looking, good interior space, moon roof, nice sound system. Very good value for the money. I looked at several SUVs in the same price range and this one beat them all by far.
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Love our Grand Vitara - 2006 Suzuki Grand Vitara
By Budman - February 1 - 3:23 amI never wanted an SUV. Our friend convinced us to take a test drive and we were hooked. It fit our needs and its new design was unique and set us aside from the "normal" look of all other SUVs. The features and quality are just as good as many other more expensive models. So far we have 4,000 miles on our Grand Vitara and we are still happy without any problems.
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A Fun Car to Drive - 2006 Suzuki Grand Vitara
By Ed - January 26 - 6:13 pmI have 18,000 miles on my Grand Vitara and up to now I havent had one problem. The other day while making a rather sharp right hand turn at, maybe, 10 mph, a horrible noise came out from somewhere underneath the truck. At this point, my wife (who drives the car everyday to and from work) said to me "oh yeh, I forgot to tell you - its been making that noise when I turn right at this particular intersection." It doesnt do it all the time, and I suspect that it probably wont do it when I take it to the dealership. Other than this, its been a reliable car so far. Im worried about this noise because believe me, it is loud. It will turn heads if anyone is nearby. The cruise control needs some refining.
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In Love with my Suzuki - 2007 Suzuki Grand Vitara
By Joey - January 15 - 3:00 pmI bought this truck last week and am falling more in love with it as I drive it. It really drives nice and is very comfortable,The great thing about suzuki is the roomyness it is really roomy I had the Aerio and was amazed by the room.
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First Suzuki - 2006 Suzuki Grand Vitara
By John Q - January 9 - 6:56 amI originally planned on buying a 05 Toyota Rav4. But after not being able to find a new one in the color I wanted with the options I wanted, I started looking at other small SUVs. I couldnt find anything I liked besides the Rav4 until I came across the 06 Suzuki Grand Vitara. I instantly fell in love with the styling of it. The exterior looks sharp and the interior is well thought out and looks more like a interior youd find in a Lexus than a Suzuki. Right now I have around 2,500 miles on mine and Im averaging 20 mpg. Im hoping that will improve as the engine breaks in. The only problem so far is that the leather on the drivers seat has stretched out which the dealer is fizing under warranty.
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Refined, Good looking, Head turning - 2007 Suzuki Grand Vitara
By djXavier - November 20 - 3:20 pmWell its the Labor Day weekend and I finally decided to replace my 1999 Suzuki Grand Vitara which was the most reliable car Ive ever had. Folks, that 99 Grand Vitara never needed to visit the dealership except for normal items like an oil change, brakes etc. My new 2007 Grand Vitara was the obvious choice to replace my old Grand Vitara at 115,000 miles. My new Grand Vitara is Jet Black, beautiful with a tan leather interior, refined and loaded to the max with everything you could ever want in a vehicle. I ran errands today with it and heads were turning and people were asking questions about it. Its powerful and well built. This car and I will be together for a long, long time!
