Used 2011 Suzuki Grand Vitara SUV Review & Ratings

The Suzuki Grand Vitara SUV was originally launched in 1999, under the title of Sidekick in North America, only becoming the Grand Vitara in the mid Noughties , Reviews of the era reported that the name change was in keeping with a global marketing unification that Suzuki were launching in those days. There are some that suspect that there may have been some other underlying motives in Subaru's desire to rename the Sidekick, principally to shake of a slightly negative image that the SUV had gained.

The current model of the Suzuki Grand Vitara SUV was launched in the second half of 2008, and proved to be a completely different proposition, rapidly earning positive reviews and plaudits for its smart, no nonsense appearance. Falling into the niche of an affordable compact SUV that provided a comfortable ride both in typical day to day travel situations as well as standing up the challenges of the occasional off the road adventure, although not under too taxing conditions.

Suzuki's experience in the mid sized truck production sector is very well evidenced in the Suzuki Grand Vitara SUV, with reviews reporting an ideal blend of truck and car design that has gone into producing a relatively compact SUV. A SUV capable of producing an almost ultimate mixture of on-road comfort without totally denying the thrills of driving off the road (within reasonable limits).

for the 2011 model , the Suzuki Grand Vitara comes with a choice of two engines, either a four cylinder or a six cylinder. The four cylinder 2.4-liter comes with the capability of producing 166 horsepower and 160 pound per feet of torque , while the 3.2-liter V-6 engine, available as standard in the 2012 Grand Vitara XSport and Luxury versions of the Suzuki Grand Vitara SUV , will provide respectable 230 horsepower performance with 213 lb per ft of torque, when paired with Suzuki's most recent five-speed automatic transmission that comes as standard on all Suzuki Grand Vitara SUV base models.

Dependant on the model, the Suzuki Grand Vitara SUV will provide 19 miles per gallon in the city and a reasonable average of around 25 miles per gallon on the open road.

All versions of the Suzuki Grand Vitara SUV will provide comfortable seating for five passengers, irrespective of age, height and weight with plenty of leg room and head room to go round, thanks to the Vitara's long and narrow cabin.

The Suzuki Grand Vitara SUV ground clearance is a relatively low 7.4 inches and it weighs in at 2,468 pounds with a cargo carrying capacity of is 28.4 cubic feet with the back seat in the upright position and around 71 cubic feet when the seat is folded down.

Suzuki had obviously done their homework and knew what they wanted when they launched and later revamped the Suzuki Grand Vitara SUV. There is a very large market in the niche, in which the Grand Vitara sits very comfortably. There is no lack of competition however with such worthy rivals as the Ford Escape, the Subaru Outback, the Honda CR, the Toyota RAV4 and the Hyundai Tucson competing for every sale.