Suzuki

Grand Vitara

A genuine off-roader, the Suzuki Grand Vitara is a chunky vehicle with bags of razzle dazzle. The specification on this vehicle is excellent especially when you take into account the very reasonable price tag. Running costs are also very appealing.

Test Drive

Suzuki Grand Vitara 1.9 DDiS SZ5 (5-door)

With wet and cold weather patterns seemingly the norm these days, it’s very heartening to get behind the wheel of an accomplished four-wheel-drive model.

And the well-established Suzuki Grand Vitara is just that.

Since its launch back in the late 80’s the vehicle has come a long way and today’s model has certainly moved with the times offering striking good looks, plenty of on-board technical wizardry and even a price tag that will keep you on speaking terms with your bank manager.

The Grand Vitara looks impressive from any angle thanks to its bold and rugged stance, 19-inch alloys, tinted windows, electric sunroof, spare wheel housed on the chunky boot door, body-coloured door handles and mirrors, neat light clusters, black roof rails and front fog lamps.

And it’s hard not to be impressed with the build quality and high spec levels within the cabin too.

The very comfortable leather seats can be heated and all occupants are treated to plenty of space – even back seat passengers can enjoy ample leg, head and shoulder room.

The generously-sized boot area features an under-floor storage compartment and the capacity can be increased thanks to 60:40 split-folding rear seats. Throughout the cabin there are a number of smaller storage options including a good-sized glove-box.

Creature comforts that all come in the standard asking price of £23,875 include a CD/radio with five speakers and two tweeters, USB and MP3 connectivity, Bluetooth, automatic air conditioning and a colour sat nav system.

Although the Grand Vitara is big in size, it proves deceptively agile and the driver benefits from excellent all-round visibility thanks to the high-seated driving position and larger-than-life door mirrors.

In built-up city centres, the vehicle ambles along nicely, but it’s out on the open road where it excels as it moves smoothly through the five speed manual transmission.

The 1.9-litre diesel-powered engine packs plenty of punch which helps this vehicle reach 62mph from a standing start in 13.2 seconds. Not the fastest admittedly, but still pretty good for such a big model.

And when you take into consideration the combined fuel efficiency of 42.8mpg, it means trips to the filling station will be few and far between.

Suzuki has kitted out the Grand Vitara with a range of top notch safety features such as anti-lock brakes with electronic brakeforce distribution and brake assist, numerous airbags, foot-protecting clutch and brake pedals, electronic stability programme and plenty more besides.

And you can rest assured that should Mother Nature throw an unexpected snow storm in your path, the vehicle’s driving modes can be adjusted at the turn of a dial to deal with such eventualities.

All in all, the Grand Vitara is quite a catch. It is economical, eye-catching, performs well and is packed to bursting with quality features.

Test Drive

Suzuki Grand Vitara 1.9 DDis SZ4 (3-door)

It was more than 21 years ago that Suzuki introduced its first Vitara model to the world of motoring creating a niche in the market for vehicles that can capably deliver off-road while maintaining an everyday on-road performance too.

And since its introduction, the vehicle has certainly come a long way, constantly keeping pace with the ever-growing demand for quality 4x4s that have been springing up from rival manufacturers.

The sporty-looking SZ4 model supplied for my test drive boasted eye-catching good looks but still maintained its rugged, ready-for-anything appearance too and from the moment you set foot inside the cabin, there is an overwhelming sense of reassurance for the driver and occupants alike.

The high-seated position means excellent all-round visibility and the creature comforts are plentiful.

Rear seat passengers are treated to ample legroom in the three-door version and there are plenty of storage compartments scattered throughout. The boot area is not massive, but with the rear seats folded flat, the load capacity is considerably enhanced.

The clearly defined dashboard boasts a much cleaner, clutter-free appearance than previous models with all controls, dials and buttons very easy-to-operate. And that leaves the driver to concentrate on the main event – the drive itself.

The Grand Vitara is a true pleasure to drive in and around town where it feels like it can be turned on a sixpence. The great visibility makes parking a complete breeze too.

Then out on the more open road, the !.9-litre diesel-powered engine – sourced from Renault – boasts plenty of power and the minor tweaks to the system mean a far smoother ride. Acceleration and road-holding were most impressive, but I did find at times I was looking for a non-existent sixth gear.

But that small gripe aside, what a drive. In a day and age when we can never predict what Mother Nature will throw at us next, it’s a real bonus to have four transmission modes to choose from depending on the terrain and conditions. These are easily controlled and engaged by a rotary switch on the dashboard.

The equipment level cannot fail to impress either with a quality six-CD sound system, climate control, electric mirrors, and much more besides.

And, of course, the list of safety features is also most comprehensive with anti-lock brakes, electronic brake force distribution, brake assist, electronic stability programme, numerous airbags and an immobiliser to keep any uninvited attention at bay.

All in all, the Grand Vitara is a great vehicle with a very impressive price tag too. If this test drive was anything to go on, then I can’t wait to see what the next 21 years have in store for this vehicle.

Test Drive

Suzuki Grand Vitara 2.0 (5-door)

With its place firmly secured in the marketplace the Grand Vitara is a great value performer that has plenty to offer.

True, it may not be the most powerful of off-roaders and if you are planning a trip to the Arctic, then maybe other manufacturers would top your wish list. But for all-round value and a spec level to match, there are few better options out there.

For a compact sports utility vehicle, it boasts ample space for four passengers to travel in style and the seats are easily folded forward for extra storage space.

There are a number of handy smaller storage compartments scattered throughout the cabin too.

The interior is neatly designed with all dials and controls ideally positioned for ease of use. And there is an array of classy features throughout including automatic climate control, steering wheel audio controls and heated electric door mirrors.

The Grand Vitara’s high-seated driving position means excellent all-round visibility, which makes parking in busy city centres a complete breeze.

The vehicle is also fitted with the highly impressive Smartnav system, guaranteed to get you from A to B and then from to C and D with ease.

And also included is a one-month subscription to Trafficmaster Safe Speed – a system that flags up speed limits around fixed speed cameras.

The Suzuki offers quite a drive, and with its greatly impressive economy figures, it could be the ideal solution for anyone looking for a 4×4 that is just as much at home in the city.