- Doors and Seats
3 doors, 4 seats
- Engine
2.0i, 4 cyl.
- Engine Power
94kW, 174Nm
- Fuel
Petrol (91) 8L/100KM
- Manufacturer
4XD
- Transmission
Manual
- Warranty
3 Yr, 100000 KMs
- Ancap Safety
3/5 star (2001)
Suzuki Grand Vitara 3-door
For too long merely a maker of tin boxes on wheels, Suzuki has been fighting back this year, reminding us that in the past it has been interesting and even moderately innovative.
The new Swift is a peach of a mini and the new-generation Grand Vitara five-door compact SUV's competence and style has reinforced the notion that Suzuki is fighting back.
But along with the five-door, there is also a three-door, short-wheelbase Grand Vitara at your local Suzuki dealer. Which is no surprise considering that in 1988 Suzuki basically created the compact SUV segment with the Vitara - and that was a three-door. More recently the Grand Vitara three-door has taken the fight to the short-wheelbase Toyota RAV4.
Suzuki's done its best to make the latest Grand Vitara three-door welcome, introducing it at $23,990, $400 below the old car. That price includes some important safety aids such as dual airbags, ABS with EBD and BAS and the basic power functions. Climate control rather than just basic air-conditioning is an unexpected addition. No side or curtain airbags is disappointing, though.
The new model signals a rather important change of direction. The difference between the old GV3 and most of its rivals was that - like the five-door - it was a real off-roader. It was underpinned by a rugged separate chassis, drove in rear-wheel drive on blacktop, shifted on the fly to four-wheel drive for dirt roads and then had low-range gearing when the going got tough.
However, the experience was all a bit agricultural. Buyers wanted their compact SUVs to be smooth and refined but still look as if they could conquer the mulga, even if they never left Mentone.
So with this new third Grand that's exactly what Suzuki has provided. The three-door is now underpinned by a more car-like monocoque that incorporates traditional ladder-type chassis rails - the intention being to deliver better blacktop behaviour while still retaining some dirt ability.
The sheetmetal is suitably good looking, merging the moderately tough front-end of the five-door with a funky back half incorporating a rakish B-pillar angle, punched-out fender guards, steel wheels, 200 mm ground clearance and a covered full-size spare hanging on the side-opening rear door.
It looks tough but the reality is that the four-wheel drive system doesn't have the capability of the old vehicle, simply comprising a Torsen centre limited slip differential with a standard 47:53 torque split. There's no low range and, as a result, no serious mountain-climbing ability. It will still outpoint the "on-demand" compacts that run in front-wheel drive until slip is detected but consider GV3 a moderate off-roader rather than a mountain climber.
The drivetrain has undergone an important change, too. The old car had a simple and gutsy 94 kW/174 Nm 2.0-litre engine but for this generation Suzuki has fitted a more sophisticated but smaller 1.6-litre twin-cam 16-valve four-cylinder with variable valve timing that develops 73 kW at 5900 rpm, 139 Nm at 4100 rpm and delivers a 9.0 L/100 km claimed average fuel consumption on ULP.
That the engine mates only to a five-speed manual gearbox seems a mistake, considering most GV3s will surely spend their lives in the city rather than the forest. But this is a bigger car in all important measures than its predecessor and weighs just shy of 1400 kg, so perhaps an auto would make progress too tardy.
As it is, our test car delivered merely adequate performance. The engine was obviously tight and it disappointed with its noisy lack of refinement and torque spread. The gearbox, too, was in need of more kays, making gear selection a hit and miss affair, while there was too much drivetrain whine in the cabin.
The dynamic side of the equation is better. The car's steering is reliable and fuss-free, the ride is capable over all but the most pockmarked of roads, while the natural handling state is safe understeer if driven with enthusiasm.
From the driver's seat, the experience is pleasant enough, with concise controls aping the five-door, decent seating, a fair amount of storage and plenty of 12V outlets (three: two up-front and one in the luggage compartment). Reach adjustment on the steering wheel would help, while the trip computer's ability to deliver only instant fuel consumption annoys.
Move to the back and there are only two seats and not enough room for adults to travel in comfort for long. Smaller children will be isolated by the small windows and rising sill line. The GV3 makes more sense if you flip-fold up the 50:50 split-fold rear seats and exploit the 516 litres of luggage space they expose.
If you want something small, light and zippy you could get a Swift and save some money. Or if you must off-road, find the extra cash for a Grand Vitara 5-door. Both are far more indicative of where Suzuki is at these days.
What's it got?
Power front windows; power steering; power mirrors; remote central locking; climate control air-conditioning; single-CD audio; instant fuel consumption readout; three 12V outlets.
What's missing?
Proper trip computer; cruise control; reach adjustment for steering wheel; side airbags.