MotorWeek Road Test: 2009 Suzuki Grand Vitara

[hateutubepolicy]

nice car , i will get one when i finish paying for my damn civic ( 2 years) . We had vitara 96 and it never had any problems . Great car !

[nervosaur]

and they got weaker engines too... :)

[nervosaur]

the funny thing is here in Eastern Europe they sold them for almost twice as much to a target customer who relatively earns four times less...now tell me it ain't funny...

[Scoltz1]

For a V6 rear wheel drive SUV that is truely off-road capable, 23 mpg average on mixed driving is pretty damn good! My roomate has a 2009 Nissan Versa with a weak 1.8 litre engine, and he gets about 23 mpg too, the same mixed gas mileage as this Suzuki with a 3.2 litre V6!

[ckacr18]

looks a little to girly

[tbonedrumcam]

Okay, so the lack of a navigation system is letdown...okay, get a Garmin. :)

This is a very nice SUV. This is one of the few SUVs that's truly capable offroad. Plus, it's features & refinements, along with it's low base price, add up to a great overall value.

[wtrdogg20]

That is True!!, Grand Vitara is the real deal when you are looking for a small SUV with TRUE 4X4 OFF ROAD PERFORMANCE.....just taking in consideration the Body on Frame Chasis and the low range gearbox it has, these are the most important specs to say that a SUV is a real off roader. It also offer confort, safety and refinement. I dont care about its V6 engine, I am very fine with the 4-cyl one.

[andrewerdna100]

@tbonedrumcam jeep?

[GrahamCrackers94]

is the V6 really from GM? cuz thats a huge letdown :(

[DaBrute]

the euro-spec version is better though. the V6 comes with HID lights 17'' wheels AWD and leather all standard

[JerseyRich732]

I love my new Suzuki GV-L ...awesome, and I was a LOYAL Honda owner fr 20 years

[redboyj15]

Damn I wish that my Suzuki Verona had this 3.2L engine. Is this engine a Suzuki design or is it tied in with the GM/Daewoo venture?

[4223037]

The V6 comes from GM. Coincidentally I almost bought a Verona but found its performance was lacking, especially in the engine department.

[Taras2003]

I think it's just a rumor. How could V6 come from GM? It's designed and built in Japan. Plus, it's too good to be American

[redboyj15]

Too good to be American? Huh? Have you never been behind the wheel of GM's 3.6 found in the CTS, Malibu, Aura, etc? Apparently not...do some research...

[pheniq]

not bad...but compare them to the jap v6s...that u get in the 370z or the gtr....n most american v6s are hopeless....like the 1 u get in the mustang...

[redboyj15]

The Japanese do make great V6s. But to discount a good engine, simply because its American is just plain stupid. The 3.6 from GM makes anywhere from 250-hp to 304-hp in the Camaro and CTS. It truly is a great engine. The 3.7 from ford isn't too shabby either, not to mention the new Ecoboost version is simply amazing. But yes I agree the 4.0 V6 in the mustang is pathetic

[wtrdogg20]

Sorry, but that Northamerican level of refinement is not enough, dude.....When they can be compared with real refinement like the European Refinement, let me know....BTW, Malibu is plenty on cheap plastics, pretending to be high quality materials.

[redboyj15]

Yea...I do love my Verona, but the engine is the main sore spot. Its a 6-cylinder but only makes 155-hp. Granted, it is very smooth and relatively quiet, but I'd rather have a noisier, more powerful, and more efficient 4-cylinder. What did you end up buying?

[4223037]

I bought a 2006 Volkswagen GLI. I love the turbo inline 4. It is a little bit more expensive than a Verona but has much better performance and after market parts are much easier to come by for my car.

[redboyj15]

Wow do I envy you. The GLI is ten times more fun to drive than my car. And I'm sure the reliability isn't any worse. Lucky you...

[4223037]

Personally I wouldn't call my car reliable. I had a "87" Dodge Daytona back in "99" that was more reliable. That German engineering can be a real bitch sometimes>:(. But dammit if my car ain't fun to drive.

[adamizorrr]

@redboyj15 Well if you love your Verona but want a more powerful and more fuel efficient 4-cylinder then you should seriouly check out the new Suzuki Kizashi. 100% Suzuki design, with a 185hp 4-cyl engine, and more luxurious than your current Verona. Atleast go test drive one you won't be disappointed. The 6spd manual is the best way to go.