Suzuki Grand Vitara SUV Review
SUV Reviewer
The Suzuki Grand Vitara is a crossover SUV, compact in size, that represents a good value for its price, given its extensive number of standard features and a powertrain warranty for 100,000 miles. Dual-range four-wheel drive is also available for added off-road capabilities.
There are three trim levels for the Suzuki Grand Vitara: the base called the Grand Vitara, the Premium and the Limited. The features of the base model include automatic headlights, 16-inch steel wheels, automatic climate control, cruise control, full power accessories, keyless entry, audio controls mounted on the steering wheel, and an audio system with four speakers and a single CD and MP3 player. A removable Garmin navigation unit mounted on top of the dashboard is standard equipment for all models.
The Premium model of the Suzuki Grand Vitara adds a hard-shelled spare wheel cover and cargo cover and privacy glass. Heated side-view mirrors are available for Premium models with all-wheel drive. A Special Edition trim level adds expanded navigation services such as movie times, real-time traffic, weather and low price fuel finder, 16-inch alloy wheels, and a six-disc CD changer with auxiliary audio jack. A Sports package adds roof rails, sunroof, for lamps, leather steering wheel, keyless entry and ignition but removes the hard-shelled spare wheel cover.
The Limited is the top of the line model of the Suzuki Grand Vitara and includes leather upholstery, 17-inch alloy wheels, silver and wood print interior trim, heated front seats and an audio system with additional speakers. A rear back-up camera with rearview mirror display and Bluetooth capabilities are options on the Limited and Premium models.
Specs:
There is one engine for all models of the Suzuki Grand Vitara and is a 2.4 liter dual overhead cam, 16-valve four cylinder engine with digital fuel injection and Variable Valve Timing. It can produce 166 horsepower and 162 pound-feet of torque. A five-speed manual transmission is standard on them base model while the Premium and Limited models have a five-speed automatic transmission.
Fuel economy for the Suzuki Grand Vitara is based on transmission type and type of drive. The base model with manual transmission and rear-wheel drive is rated at 19 mpg in the city and 26 mpg on the highway. The Premium and Limited models with rear-wheel drive and automatic transmission are rated at 19 mpg in the city and 25 mpg on the highway and the Premium and Limited models with rear-wheel drive and automatic transmissions are rated at 19 mpg in the city and 23 mpg on the highway.
The interior of the Suzuki Grand Vitara seats five passengers comfortably and is sleek and attractive. Flowing lines and gauges are set in simulated aluminum trim and the lighted displays on the center stack are well-placed and easy to read. Although lacking in storage compartments, cargo capacity behind the second row of seats is 28.4 cubic inches and expands to 70.8 cubic feet when the second row of seats is folded down.
The 2011 Suzuki Grand Vitara is a good choice for daily commuting and the urban environment yet lacks the refinement and overall comfort needed for longer highway trips. If you are in the market for a compact vehicle that can handle the off-road terrain, then is a vehicle worth consideration.
There are three trim levels for the Suzuki Grand Vitara: the base called the Grand Vitara, the Premium and the Limited. The features of the base model include automatic headlights, 16-inch steel wheels, automatic climate control, cruise control, full power accessories, keyless entry, audio controls mounted on the steering wheel, and an audio system with four speakers and a single CD and MP3 player. A removable Garmin navigation unit mounted on top of the dashboard is standard equipment for all models.
The Premium model of the Suzuki Grand Vitara adds a hard-shelled spare wheel cover and cargo cover and privacy glass. Heated side-view mirrors are available for Premium models with all-wheel drive. A Special Edition trim level adds expanded navigation services such as movie times, real-time traffic, weather and low price fuel finder, 16-inch alloy wheels, and a six-disc CD changer with auxiliary audio jack. A Sports package adds roof rails, sunroof, for lamps, leather steering wheel, keyless entry and ignition but removes the hard-shelled spare wheel cover.
The Limited is the top of the line model of the Suzuki Grand Vitara and includes leather upholstery, 17-inch alloy wheels, silver and wood print interior trim, heated front seats and an audio system with additional speakers. A rear back-up camera with rearview mirror display and Bluetooth capabilities are options on the Limited and Premium models.
Specs:
There is one engine for all models of the Suzuki Grand Vitara and is a 2.4 liter dual overhead cam, 16-valve four cylinder engine with digital fuel injection and Variable Valve Timing. It can produce 166 horsepower and 162 pound-feet of torque. A five-speed manual transmission is standard on them base model while the Premium and Limited models have a five-speed automatic transmission.
Fuel economy for the Suzuki Grand Vitara is based on transmission type and type of drive. The base model with manual transmission and rear-wheel drive is rated at 19 mpg in the city and 26 mpg on the highway. The Premium and Limited models with rear-wheel drive and automatic transmission are rated at 19 mpg in the city and 25 mpg on the highway and the Premium and Limited models with rear-wheel drive and automatic transmissions are rated at 19 mpg in the city and 23 mpg on the highway.
The interior of the Suzuki Grand Vitara seats five passengers comfortably and is sleek and attractive. Flowing lines and gauges are set in simulated aluminum trim and the lighted displays on the center stack are well-placed and easy to read. Although lacking in storage compartments, cargo capacity behind the second row of seats is 28.4 cubic inches and expands to 70.8 cubic feet when the second row of seats is folded down.
The 2011 Suzuki Grand Vitara is a good choice for daily commuting and the urban environment yet lacks the refinement and overall comfort needed for longer highway trips. If you are in the market for a compact vehicle that can handle the off-road terrain, then is a vehicle worth consideration.
The Diesel DDiS is the only way to fly. The gas engines offered with the Vitara are anemic with average fuel economy. Hopefully, in the US this engine will become available in the near future. Other than that, I highly recommend this SUV.
I own a 2011 Grand Vitara, Most of the slams you read about this car in American Press are simply not true. 1. They say it does not ride quite as well as the CRVs and Rav4s and all these car-like SUVs in this price range. They fail to mention the GV comes with on and off road tires which are designed to grab everything as all the others come with highway all season tires designed for soft ride instead. 2. Acceleration- This 4cylinder that uses a timing chain gives my limited (full 4 way 4X4) o-60 consistently at 8 seconds, no match for my SLK but that is peppy for a 4Cyl SUV. 3. Noise The 2011 is packed with sound stopping material, it is far more sound isolating then any other in this price range. It may be they just started using so much sound deadening material. 4. The GV has brakes like claws, which may be helped by its 18 inch (yes 18s not 17 like the US press reports it has)On & off tires but it has amazing stopping power it even stops significantly shorter then my MB SLK roadster. 108' from 60MPH vs 115' and this has already saved me from avoiding a crash that would have happened in my SLK. 5. No Fake here. All of these 20-30K car-like SUV have uni-body Construction, real off-roaders need a fame, the Grand Vitira puts a full uni-body on a latter frame both. And with its 18 inch wheels has almost 9 inches of ground clearance to let you take full advantage of its low range locking transfer case. When you take every option Suzuki puts on it which is vast, Sun Roof, Climate control, Leather seats and side panels, GPS, full power, it still only lists for 26K. I am extremely pleased with the decision to buy the Grand Vitira. Because it is actually a real Utility Vehicle dressed up like a pretty little car instead of a little car turned into a utility. If you want a SUV that can go anywhere, loaded for the mid 20s, then the GV is the most outstanding choice. If you never go off pavement, or if you never need to pull a 3000LB trailer, (they even make snow plows for Grand Vitiras) then you got about a dozen to choices, but few that are more hansom, or as inexpensive.