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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  ITS GREAT! - 2000 Suzuki Grand Vitara
  By NICOLE - August 28 - 2:00 am

  THIS VEHICLE HANDLES GREAT! ITS COMPACT SIZE MAKES IT EASY TO CONTROL, AND ITS A GREAT CAR FOR TEENS TO LEARN TO DRIVE IN! IT HAS GREAT TURNING ABILITY AND ALL AROUND THIS IS A GREAT VEHICLE.

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  LOVE MY SUZUKI GRAND VITARA - 2009 Suzuki Grand Vitara
  By Terry - August 15 - 10:00 am

  Owner for approximately one year. Have owned Honda Accord & Nissa0n Altima and traded a Toyota Rav 4 for this Suzuki Gr-Vitara. The Suzuki is the Best of all of them as it offers more versatility cargo area just a hair shorter than the RAV 4 but full feature with the addition of the NET for shopping pkgs etc. The all leather appointments look & feel better than the other vehicles. Overall it performs equally to these others, is soundproof and dashboard steering wheel conveniences. I LOVE DRIVING IT!

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  Great Vehicle for the Money - 2006 Suzuki Grand Vitara
  By Tharpomaximus - August 7 - 1:10 am

  Very reliable and fun to drive. No tire wear problems as others have had. Handles great in snow. Gas mileage as advertised - dont expect anything better. Seems to depreciate quickly, but purchase price was low in comparison to CRX and Rav4.

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  Our First Family SUV - 2006 Suzuki Grand Vitara
  By Sherwin - August 7 - 1:06 am

  When we first test drove the Suzuki Grand Vitara, we could feel its intense power and handling. It was widely noticed with its hot sleek looks, and came with a 4 mode 4WD system that I only expected from top end vehicles. The 2006 model was the first to have the new looks. Recently we went through a blizzard and the SUV handled amazingly. No slipping or getting stuck in the snow.

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  Suzuki Grand Vitara Luxury - 2006 Suzuki Grand Vitara
  By Christopher Trifaro - August 3 - 6:20 am

  I was looking for a small SUV on the likes of a Jeep Liberty. I thought that the Liberty is an overpriced vehicle. I looked at the Grand Vitara Luxury and it sold itself. It had every option I was looking for for half the price. The fuel economy was better than the Jeep Liberty and the ride was more comfortable because of the independent suspension. Every extra option that you ask for in the Jeep is more money. It seems like they threw all the options in the Grand Vitara Luxury for free. Very nice truck not a snail off the line and on the highway it has some power also.

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  Great Value - Best Kept Secret - 2007 Suzuki Grand Vitara
  By Mark - June 21 - 3:36 pm

  The Grand Vitara is one of the best kept secrets in the small SUV market. It delivers terrific performance on a scale unexpected for the size and class. The Grand Vitara is well engineered and thought through on a practical level. It has lots of extras that make it a terrific value for the money. The chiseled looks turn heads and break the mold of all the other cars in its class. Its refined in unexpected ways and delivers comfort and convenience along with practical usefulness in all respects.

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  air bags - 2002 Suzuki Grand Vitara
  By hocuspoc - June 21 - 10:00 am

  over all I loved this vehical, that is up until I had a accident where i was hit in the passenger front end, bad enough that the vehical was totalled and neither the driver side or passanger side air bag came out... still havent got any reason as to why they didnt go off ...

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  What I love and hate - 2006 Suzuki Grand Vitara
  By Anna - May 30 - 3:26 am

  I LOVE the radio controls on the steering wheel. The look and feel of the car is great. I HATE that its so hard to change the head lights and they burn out often and are uneven at night. I HATE that when the back windows are rolled down half way, a horrible pressure chamber hits your ears and an awful noise fills the car. Im told this is because the roof is not heavy enough and if we put a rack on top, that wont happen? Oh, brother! Its Apr 2010 and just had a major electrical problem that cost $800 and wasnt covered by the warranty. The back door stopped shutting all the way, got that fixed. The brake light comes on intermittently now. Its hard to see out the small back window.

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  A pleasure to drive - 2006 Suzuki Grand Vitara
  By Louis Anderson - May 20 - 2:43 pm

  This is a terrific 2WD SUV. The 6 cylinder engine handles the mountains of NC, TN, and AL easily and delivers more mpg then the sticker claims. This is a comfortable ride on long trips and it has great visibility. The fact that it is packed with the latest safety features and creature comforts make this a great auto. The second row seating has adjustable backs and the full swing open door makes it easy to load / unload especially for seniors. Its great brakes and esp make this a safe car.

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  REVIEW OF 2003 GRAND 4 WD - 2004 Suzuki Grand Vitara
  By DREW APPLEMAN - April 30 - 10:00 am

  CAR HAS GREAT ZIP FUEL ECONOMY A DISAPPOINTMENT HIGHLY DISLIKE RADIO CONTROLS UNDER STEERING WHEEL AS SHIFTS CHANNELS BRUSHES THIGHS APPEARANCE INSIDE AND OUTSIDE A PLUS APPEARS SOLID. MANEUVERS WELL HAS THE POWER IN SNOW INCLIMATE WEATHER. SEAT BELT CONNECTOR NEED EXTENDED