Suzuki Grand Vitara Review

[ryckyml]

Got a new GV V6 in 2008. Good VUS on road, but a shi*load bucket of problem, always on garage. Differential seal leaks, electronics problems, last failure a week ago: ABS pump, a $1500 part and i have only 57 000km on it. I never abuse the truck, only very light off road once a year, 80% of millage was on highway. Now on repair and for sale this week. Gonna trade this ?%$# for a Toyota or a Honda.

Yes they are beautiful SUV but don't buy it, quality its not there.

[TrollLuv]

these are not over 200hp my mom has one of these lame SUV's and at my dyno where i take my supra and eclipse GSX it only pushed 3 months after brand new 209hp out of a v6 its really sad

[Llanwellyn]

I have a GV here in the UK its fitted with a 1.9litre Renault Diesel 4cyl engine, not fast off the mark by any means but 40 mpg on a run !! We seem to catch the faster vehicles at the red traffic lights.

[we5leyz]

I wish they could take the V6 from Toyota, then this would be a great vehicle.

[wtrdogg20]

I believe this is a great car, especially for the on road and real off road performance. My only turn down fact is the MPG. The 2.4 is OK for me, but I still feel it doesnt have the best millage figure, and Suzuki is getting behind the competition on it. Also, other car makers with smaller engines are making more power than the 2.4, same happens with the V6. I hope Suzuki does improvements for the next model, which should be coming in not too long since the model hasnt changed since 2006.

[ryanlester1980]

THis is a really beautiful vehicle...

[stewartx5]

Nice vehicle overall, but I have reservations. The radio doesn't have a USB port for MP3 music. Unlike reviewer, I'd pefer a standard USB port for inexpensive flash or thumb drives over a proprietary interface for expensive iPods. The radio is well intregrated into dash, so don't see how to replace it with a 3rd party radio with USB. Finally, nobody seems to be selling a winch for the GV, which does somewhat limit it's potential as an off-road vehicle.

[TrollLuv]

@stewartx5 so spend the 100 bucks and buy a indash tv deck that has everything u need doesnt matter what car u get all stock stereos suck ass

[stewartx5]

@TrollLuv '.. spend the 100 bucks and buy indash tv deck ..'

Have you even looked at the GV? Radio is fitted into the dash molded around it. Only way to replace that radio is to also replace that section of the dash. Suzuki does not offer a dash section which will accept a standard radio and I've not found one elsewhere. The only remaining option is a custom fabricated part, which would be quite expensive. A better solution is another vehicle fitted with a standard radio easily replaced.

[peterfarrow]

what a great review, nice camera work at the end with the in car driving shots, gives a real feeling of "being there" Nice car too!

[hecastemesa]

1:30 the sound is great

[1doubbled1]

check out the sound on mine

[zukisidekick]

I just bought a 2009 XSport V6, and it's incredible. My family are Suzuki fans, owning an 08 SX4 Crossover, a 95 Sidekick (modified for offroad), an 88 Samurai (Also modded). My in laws liked our SX4 so much that they bought two...

The new 2.4L inline 4 on the GV is better than the older 2.7L 6cyl. More torque down low and far more fuel efficient. If you need power and torque to tow, etc, go with the 3.2L V6. Take one for a test drive!

[ckacr18]

@zukisidekick. How is the sx4 crossover. I am considering it but it looks too much like a car just raised up a bit. Does it look more like an suv and does it tow like an suv. Please reply

[wppdoes]

@ckacr18 The SX4 is fun and well designed AWD car, but it can't tow anything like an SUV can. That being said, there are lift kits and other off-road equipment available for the SX4 that enhance its off-road capability. Check out Rocky Road Outfitters for more info. Grand Vitara though is in another class all together.

[TrollLuv]

@wppdoes sad thing is my eclipse GSX AWD Turbo tows better then my moms Grand Vitara SUV and my car is a 1990

[zukisidekick]

Don't let Consumer Reports cloud your judgement. They're a joke..They claimed the Suzuki Samurai had a high propensity to roll-over....Suzuki took them to court, and won the case....They CR falsified the report and the test of the Samurai...Sorry, they lose all credibility....

[tonylione316]

I am interested in the four-cylinder model, do you suggest it? Price being an issue

[mpgomatic]

I haven't driven the four-banger. You lose power over the V6, of course, but you can gain a bit of fuel economy with the manual transmission.

[Bimo165]

@mpgomatic : Oh man the GV in the US has 3.2 litre engine....that's way bigger than what we have in my country, we only have 2.0 and 2.4 litre...but despite of that, a lot of people still complain of its 'unsatisfying' mileage.

By the way I have a 1998 Toyota MPV with 1.8 litre carburetor engine A/T transmission and I still have 35 mpg on the highway and up to 25 mpg city.

But anyways I can't lie to myself that this is one sweet looking car. Great review Dan! as usual... =)

[mpgomatic]

@Bimo165 - Thanks, Bimo! I'm wondering if or when we'll see a TDI between the GV's fenders, given Volkswagen's recent 20% stake in Suzuki. I'm hoping for when ... =)

[flyrodder68]

Per Consumer reports: "has fully independent suspension. Our newly tested 2.4-liter four-cylinder was noisy and sluggish and yielded just 19 mpg overall. .......Steering is somewhat vague, and handling is reluctant though ultimately very secure. The ride is stiff and jittery. We found the rear seat fairly roomy. Side curtain air bags adn stability control are standard. "