Accentuate the positives. That’s what momma always taught us, and it seems that’s the mantra at American Suzuki as well, when it comes to their Grand Vitara Limited V6 4×4.
A very livable SUV, what it lacks in style, it more than makes up for in can-do attitude.
What is it?
What we technically call a compact SUV, the Grand Vitara is a well-equipped crossover that surprised us with the amount of standard equipment that comes with the Limited trim level.
Now well into its second generation, the Grand Vitara is very vaguely related to General Motors’ Theta-platform (think Chevrolet Equinox ) crossovers. In North America, it’s only offered with four doors and a choice of four or six-cylinder power, although other markets get smaller three door models powered by diesel engines. Previously, Suzuki offered a larger, GM-developed SUV called the XL-7, but slow sales forced the Japanese automaker to drop it from its lineup.
Equipped with a more substantial warranty than its rivals, it still manages to sticker for thousands less – even though the Grand Vitara is among Suzuki’s priciest offerings.
What’s it up against?
The usual cast of characters is all in play here. They include the Toyota RAV4 , Honda CR-V , and Ford Escape as primary competitors. Add the Hyundai Tucson as an indirect secondary rival.
Any breakthroughs?
Breakthroughs? Not so much from a technological standpoint, but more from cramming a lot of content in for not a lot of money. Navigation is standard across the board, while that 100,000-mile powertrain warranty adds to the value.
How does it look?
Here’s where the Suzuki might get lost in the fray. Not unhandsome in the least, the Grand Vitara doesn’t do enough to differentiate itself from others in the segment. With imitation being the sincerest form of flattery, the Suzuki is flattering lots of its competitors. We see Ford Escape from the rear, Saturn from the front, and so on. Squint a bit and you can pick up cues that mimic VW and Isuzu as well.
There’s even a bit of Grand Cherokee in the D-pillar area of this Grand Vitara. Again, it’s not a bad thing. Just one that we noticed. The right-sided cargo door hinge was originally built for the Japanese domestic market, where they drive on the left side of the road. It’s not that difficult, really, to operate, but it would be more convenient and possibly a bit safer when stashing goods through the back hatch.
Large flared fenders give the impression of bulk and strength, and add to the overall macho-quotient of the vehicle. Set off by nicely styled 18-inch alloy wheels, it is a look that we actually warmed nicely to.
And on the inside?
A well-stocked interior really didn’t leave us wanting for much at all. From its three-turret gauge binnacle with speedometer, tachometer and temperature and fuel gauges, it is a straightforward affair with everything just where you’d expect it. Suzuki has gotten creative with adding value to the Grand Vitara line by adding a removable Garmin navigation system housed in a pop-up clamshell on the top of the dash. Further down the centerstack was an XM-equipped radio, which unfortunately did not have an activated subscription in it in our test car. Auxilary and MP3 inputs are now standard. Bluetooth is a $268 option, which as more states adopt handsfree policies, should be in place for no charge.
At the lower left portion of the center stack is a dial controlling the four-wheel drive operations of the Grand Vitara.
Leather trimmed seats were supportive for longish drives and offered heating elements that would be of no use to this writer in South Florida. But, hey, you Northerners can knock yourselves out! We also appreciated the dual powe rports on the center console so a cell phone and radar detector could be charged at the same time. The rear seat offered good legroom for passengers, and could accommodate up to three.
In the rear cargo area was a cover to keep away prying eyes. Inside were an all-weather floor mat for messy cargo and a net to keep everything in place.
Overall we’d call the Grand Vitara’s interior tidy and well-arranged. Meticulously assembled, its materials choices and attention to detail make it a standout.
But does it go?
Our Grand Vitara Limited model came with the 3.2-liter V6 making 230 horsepower and 213 lb-ft. of torque. Mated to a five-speed automatic transmission, it offered smooth goings around town and country. The engine uses variable valve timing to aid in both power and emissions, and we like the fact that it has a zero-maintenance timing chain instead of a belt that needs to be changed every 100,000 miles or so.
The V6 isn’t real powerful, but it felt nicely mated to its automatic transmission and it never really felt wanting for grunt.
Our Limited model was equipped with four-mode full-time 4WD with hill hold and hill descent control that allows it to creep down steep inclines. It didn’t exactly come into play with the rather flat South Florida terrain, but it’s good to know its there. Suzuki claims that no other vehicle in the segment offers the off-roading capabilities that this Grand Vitara Limited does. If anyone else does, we have yet to see it. For RV owners, the 4WD-equipped Limited can be flat-towed by slipping the control into neutral mode to be towed behind a motorhome. Conversely, the Grand Vitara Limited has a towing capacity of 3,000 lbs.
It’s not a sportscar. We get that. But with its MacPherson struts up front and an independent multi-link rear suspension, it handles better than some significantly lower-to-the-road vehicles that it shares the road with. Power-assisted rack and pinion steering transmitted good road feel to the cabin, while our V6 was eager to please without having to resort to making too much in the way of engine squeal. Mind you, it wasn’t Lexus quiet, but it didn’t have us shouting to each other with windows up either.
With all its capabilities, the Grand Vitara Limited was able to achieve EPA ratings of 17 mpg in the city and 23 mpg on the highway, which is not too shabby for a vehicle weighing 3,876-pounds.
Why you would buy it:
Great value for the money in a mid-size package, the Grand Vitara isn’t a standout but certainly doesn’t have to make excuses.
Why you wouldn’t:
You still think Suzuki just makes motorcycles.
Leftlane’s bottom line:
In a crowded segment, Suzuki needs to do something more to get above the fray. With the Grand Vitara, they have done that in spades by offering value-added content, for not a lot of moolah. For a value conscious consumer, the Limited should definitely be one to look at.
2010 Suzuki Grand Vitara Limited V6 4WD base price, $27,199. As tested, $28,648.
Cargo mat, $130; Floor mats, $125; Metallic paint, $130; Bluetooth, $269; Destination, $795.
Words and photos by Mark Elias.
A second opinion
Tidy and well-priced, the Grand Vitara is plagued mainly by its stylized S badge.
Suzuki continues to lose ground in North America despite having one of the more pleasing overall lineups in the industry. We’re at a loss for offering the Japanese automaker any suggestions on how to improve its standing; it will take more attention from buyers to really get things going again.
- Andrew Ganz
