Comments on: Suzuki Grand Vitara Review & Road Test

By: CarlMc

CarlMc — Thu, 25 Feb 2010 11:09:21 +0000

Yes yes yes, its 2010,and the best Suzuki can come with is a 1.9 ltr diesel engine,its about time Suzuki joined the rest of the real world.

Because of its low torque, it can only tow under 1500kg,not for getting its 85kg down-ball load,which isn’t exactly %10 of its tow rate, what a waste of a fine machine. With its 4WD capacity and a 2.0 ltr engine it would double its sales, the only other company with low-gear is Challenger.

By: AA23

AA23 — Thu, 10 Dec 2009 01:35:07 +0000

Nice review. I am considering to get GV Prestige soon. Does it make any sense to get a full 4×4 with automatic transmission?

By: Carl Mc, Taree

Carl Mc, Taree — Mon, 07 Dec 2009 09:32:02 +0000

why do ppl continually class X-Trail as a 4WD, its NOT, it has no low gearing, unlike Suzuki.

X-Trails delivers torque to rear wheels if it detects slippage or 50-50 torque to all wheels in 4WD mode, but it is 4WD SUV, read soft-roader,only those vehicles with low range gears are truly 4WD.

Only low rangeing gear vehicles should be compared to each other and not with soft roaders, there is no comparison.

By: Scottyboy

Scottyboy — Wed, 25 Nov 2009 02:30:16 +0000

Those interior pics at the top of this page…..
Does anyone know anything about that dash mounted sat-nav? Like, is it factory or after-market? And what happens to the sound system?
I havn’t had to pimp my Suzi much because she looked bling-licious right off the showroom floor, but I do like the clean lines of that dash unit. (I gotta gets me one!) Agree with OSU811 – fuel usage not as bad as people say (it’s only a small V6 after all). The earlier 2.7 ltr donks were notoriously thirsty but the 3.2 ltr is a whole new ballgame(ya gotta feel sorry for anyone who bought one of those 2.7’s just before the 3.2’s hit the showroom!). If fuel consumption bothers anyone then they oughta go for the diesel, but I’ve driven both and it’s like jumping out of a Porsche and into a Kombi – rough as. Now, if they could only increase the capacity of the diesel by a coupla’ hundred cc’s and offer it in the Prestige level and slap an autobox behind it, well, I just might consider it next time… Hell, why didn’t I just buy a Tiguan or a Freelander – oh, that’s right, they cost a freakin’ fortune!

By: OSU811

OSU811 — Mon, 23 Nov 2009 23:50:39 +0000

p.s, have been averaging between 10.2 and 10.5 l/100km quiet easily, so yes it is easy to match or better the sticker consumption in this car..not bad for a V6 4wd with plenty of power..

By: OSU811

OSU811 — Mon, 23 Nov 2009 23:47:16 +0000

I have been driving a 3.2 prestige for the last few months, and love it!!!
as a long time subaru fan, I am very surprised how competitive against the forester the vitara is, My wife actually thinks this drives better than the new XT auto premium forester, as far as the engine/gearbox goes I would have to agree, much smoother combo than the old 4speed in the forester..Yes the xt would be quicker, but the vitara is a much more refined package..

By: pirakavezok

pirakavezok — Mon, 23 Nov 2009 10:12:35 +0000

Always thought Suzuki’s build quality was poor until I went to the showroom. I’d say it’s at par with the rest of the Japanese crop. I’m looking forward to seeing the Kirashi.

By: milkyway

milkyway — Mon, 23 Nov 2009 10:07:00 +0000

No my friend, he meant Four Wheel Drive (FWD) not Front Wheel Drive. Yes, the engine is transversely mounted. Unusual for a Jap but common with Audi, BMW and Merc.

By: Naruto

Naruto — Mon, 23 Nov 2009 05:58:27 +0000

Its a RWD unit i belive, Engine is mounted North-South

By: Scottyboy

Scottyboy — Mon, 23 Nov 2009 02:19:35 +0000

Had my reservations at first but took the plunge and bought the V6.
Gotta say I love it! Smooth, quiet and nimble. That engine is a sweet, sweet pearl. Only thing I don’t like is the barn style rear door (shoulda been a lift up hatch). But that’s my only niggle. That and the fact that you can’t lock the tranny in second (woulda been very useful). Overall – I’m impressed. These things are like limo’s compared to the tinny little rattlers I remember from the 80’s. I’m looking forward to the next model upgrade.

By: Captain Mainwaring

Captain Mainwaring — Sun, 22 Nov 2009 08:28:43 +0000

This thing is great off-road, but is a plonker on-road and the V6 drinks like there’s no tomorrow. No thanks.

By: Novated Lease

Novated Lease — Sat, 21 Nov 2009 00:57:29 +0000

This car is way better than the Mitsi Outlander

By: Jo

Jo — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 22:12:17 +0000

It would be even better if they updated the old Renault diesel motor and had an auto option in the diesel spec

By: Peter H

Peter H — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 21:31:34 +0000

The Grand Vitara continues its life as a good, honest small FWD unit. You get what you pay for and if you plan to go on the beach or off the road and you don’t have heaps of stuff its very practical. Its not a wanabee FWD so that is the big difference between it and the others. The excellent thing is Suz give you 3 engine choices that cover all the bases. Concur with Safteyfirst comments.

By: milkyway

milkyway — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 11:04:31 +0000

I mean Toyota RAV…

By: milkyway

milkyway — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 10:58:19 +0000

I bought the 2.4L GV several months back and have been a satisfied customer. This vehicle has 2.4L VVTI engine with ESC,2 front, side and curtain airbags, EBD, ABS & full time 4×4. Interior is spartan but decent quality. My reservations – unsettled ride over uneven roads and the antiquated 4 speed tranny. All said, IMHO it does outdo Honda CRV ($40,000), Toyota CRV ($36,000)& Nissan XTrail ($36,000) as it is fully loaded for $32,000 auto drive-away plus it came with a 5year warranty.

By: Shak

Shak — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 09:09:27 +0000

I really always though of Suzuki as low quality but since reading about this car and the Swift im very impressed. Might be considering the Swift for my little performance baragain.

By: Gilly

Gilly — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 08:27:26 +0000

Hope Suzuki does not sell out to the VAG, they have done fine without them and really should not be need for them to sell off shares in the company.
Plus VW stopped them from using the GTi name on the Swift….hope they still hold a grudge on that!
Swift Sport is lame in name, cred and performance compared to its predecessor the Swift Gti!

By: Baddass

Baddass — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 08:05:00 +0000

I’m glad to hear Paul’s comment about the engine not in the Vitara. This is often missed out by some motoring journalists. And somehow, even before I read that part, I knew that a 3.2-litre, 165kW V6 would sound good. Something to do with the great sounding 3.2-litre Golf R32 probably.

By: dex

dex — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 07:56:16 +0000

if not for my missus i would have taken this instead of the jeep cherokee, jeep’s not bad though had it for a year now, all good except it’s a heavy drinker (average of upper 12s/km)and my wife really liked it and is the one using it most of the time, i still want this vitara though