Comments on: 2008 Suzuki Grand Vitara First Steer

By: Connie

Connie — Mon, 10 Aug 2009 17:41:57 +0000

Well this review makes me feel that much better about this car because i just bought it yesterday! Once i sat in the driver’s seat i instantly fell in love with it. It’s pleasing to the eye and the V6 really is powerful. Though, the backseat headrests are a bit of trouble. This does look a lot better than the RAV4, especially in the front but i mistaken the back for the RAV4. Overall, I wouldn’t pick any of it’s competitors.

By: CHRIS

CHRIS — Fri, 10 Jul 2009 06:58:27 +0000

The main differences with a current model Grand Vitara as compared to its “competitors” in the compact SUV Class, ie. RAV, CRV, XTrail, Outlander, are as follows: 1)Constant All Wheel Drive (More like a Subaru) 2) Has High & Low Transfer Box. 3) Has a Monocoque chassis with a built-in Ladder frame (Like the latest Land Rover Disco 3)
Best value is the Prestige Model, which has Leather, Sunroof, CD Stacker, Keyless Start, plus the usual ABS/EBD/EBA, ESP/TCS/Stability COntrol, 6 airbags etc etc starting at only $37490, which undercuts equivalent competitors by $3000-$4000.

By: pirakavezok

pirakavezok — Wed, 10 Jun 2009 03:51:07 +0000

Bought a 2.4GV last month during Suzuki sales campaign. Got 5 yr warranty and a good driveaway price. Nothing much that goes wrong with this suzy. Have yet to take this baby for some bush action. Otherwise, it’s a good car though not great.

By: van

van — Mon, 29 Dec 2008 20:07:49 +0000

hi there guys just wanted to ask you guys if their’s available lift kit for grand vitara 06 model

By: Gary Balasa

Gary Balasa — Thu, 13 Nov 2008 02:14:59 +0000

Totally Suzy designed and built, probably why it’s not really as efficient as it could be

By: Eric Nielsen

Eric Nielsen — Sat, 25 Oct 2008 22:08:54 +0000

Don’t know what you guys have got against the Renault diesel.

It’s the best 1.9l turbo I’ve ever driven, (in a Renault Trafic van) got it all over the VW diesels.

By: DanMan

DanMan — Sat, 25 Oct 2008 02:56:06 +0000

Jim,

Same system on all models. very good it is too.

3.2 blows away the 2.7 in every area, power, economy, etc.

By: Jim

Jim — Sat, 25 Oct 2008 01:48:45 +0000

Does this 3 door have low range like the 5 door or is it the same as the 2005 3-door model which was a watered down 4wd with limited ability.

By: Paul Doubya

Paul Doubya — Mon, 20 Oct 2008 06:28:22 +0000

Does anyone know where the V6 is from, is it in house or did Suzuki buy it from GM, ie is it a version of the alloytec, like the 3.2 in the Captiva.

I’d love to know as to whether it comes from OZ or Suzuki build it.

By: Gary Balasa

Gary Balasa — Wed, 15 Oct 2008 02:48:59 +0000

Great to read some positive stuff about a great vehicle, I recently purchased my 8th Grand Vitara the outdated 2.7 4spd Auto. I love it as much as all the previous and by the sounds of the new 3.2lt….I have completed great sections of the Canning and Tanami tracks with the only modification being some well fabricated and placed 6mm plates (Mainly over the Transfer Case)”What were you thinking Suzuki to leave it hanging so low?” and a fairly standard Pedders after market suspension kit +25mm body lift.
The 2.7 does everything I ask of it, with a bit of noise and average economy, a bit of clunking from the engine always makes me think it’s a bearing, but dealers advise it’s induction noise only?

Appart from minor issues, if you can call them that, she is a great vehicle and a very capable 4×4 although not everybody will suport that, just ask the next Patrol driver you see going nowhere in a hury, as he digs himself out of soft sand due to weight, the Vitara seems to glide over these obstacles with little fuss.

By: Satisfied Grand Vitara Driver

Satisfied Grand Vitara Driver — Sun, 07 Sep 2008 14:00:11 +0000

I bought a 2.7 V6 GV Trekker in July 07 and absolutely love it.

My only gripe would be the fuel economy, generally around 11 litres/100kms

By: Captain Mainwaring

Captain Mainwaring — Sun, 31 Aug 2008 10:11:45 +0000

This thread is probably dead and buried by now, but what the Hell’s ‘all new’ about a vehicle that’s externally identical to the old one and all that’s new is the increased cc of the petrol engines?

By: darkwater

darkwater — Sun, 31 Aug 2008 00:32:59 +0000

This is very good news. I’ve used zukes (not vitara’s) as shooting platforms after pigs in the past and have been mightly impressed. I know I bang-on about LR’s but the upgrade of the GVP to a bigger v6 donk, hdc etc has definetely changed my perspective, not sure if the upgrade has traction control (question on that). I’ll admit that in considering purchasing a 4bie the F2 now has a very serious contender. Doing the comparisons yesterday there’s not much separating the two apart from $10k and the GVP having a less GVM, and note that the GVP has standard what be an expensive option on the F2. Then there’s petrol versus diesel etc. Good work Suzuki San.

By: Realcars

Realcars — Sat, 30 Aug 2008 09:16:25 +0000

I agree Suzuki is definitely under rated.

By: Simon

Simon — Fri, 29 Aug 2008 03:20:37 +0000

If that 3-door has finally been given the same low range transfer case as the 5 door models then I’ll be in the Suzuki showroom as soon as they get them!

By: James

James — Thu, 28 Aug 2008 13:20:42 +0000

Wow i should have been a motoring journalist.

By: Peter H

Peter H — Thu, 28 Aug 2008 12:10:30 +0000

A good first up review of the updated Vitara. Glad to see the old 2.7 has been replaced and a 2.4 petrol is now standard. Suzuki now have all the engine options covered. Yes its a shame the 4spd auto is still in the mix. At least it now has disks on 4 wheels. Is it true that the 3.2 gets better fuel consumption than the 2.7? I also wonder if the bigger V6 will sell with the price of fuel always being problematic these days. Time will tell.

By: Dlr1

Dlr1 — Thu, 28 Aug 2008 12:07:32 +0000

Reckless1, would have to agree with you on disputing Suzuki’s claim to have invented the compact SUV market in 1988. The Daihatsu Feroza which was almost identical many areas was actually first manufactured in 1987. Not to mention SWB Pajero’s, Rocky’s, Subaru L series ect. Arguably Suzuki already had a presence in this “new” segment in their own Sierra anyway.

By: Casey

Casey — Thu, 28 Aug 2008 08:10:11 +0000

Another great read on what I must say is an under-rated SUV. Keep ‘em coming guys, these big treks make for a nice change of pace. Well done.

By: The Axe

The Axe — Thu, 28 Aug 2008 07:46:07 +0000

Great write up guys. The Graqnd Vitara is certainly a quiet achiever out there and worthy of more success.