Wheels Magazine 
September, 2005
What we liked
>> On-road refinement much improved
>> Still capable off-road
>> Well-priced
Not so much
>> V6 is noisy
>> Rear drum brakes
>> No diesel option (at this stage)
OVERVIEW
Suzuki, almost single handedly, ignited Australia's love for light 4WDs. Its diminutive, military-style two-strokes - the various LJ models of the 1970s - were things of near legend. Smokey yes, and only green if were referring to the common paint job, they were nevertheless easy to drive, extremely capable off-road, and as good as indestructible.
Suzuki continued to show the way in the compact 4WD market when it launched its award-winning Vitara in 1988. At the time there was nothing like it.
But fast-forward to the mid-90s, when the lightweight 4WD boom really hit thanks to the so-called 'soft-roaders' like Toyota's RAV4 and Honda's CRV, and Suzuki appeared to be caught like a rabbit in headlights.
The Vitara was long in the tooth and was swamped in sales. The first Grand Vitara, launched in 1999, didn't really do much to reverse the trend nor did the more recent XL-7.
Now Suzuki is back on attack with an all-new Grand Vitara that's bigger, smarter, more refined and better finished than its predecessors.
FEATURES
New Grand Vitara is a clean-sheet design with a whole new chassis and new 4WD system. New engines also, although the range-topping V6 is carried over essentially unchanged from the XL-7 that continues alongside the new models.
The top-of-the range Grand Vitara (as previewed here) is a five-door, five-seat wagon powered by the 135kW/250Nm 2.7lt V6. It comes with either a five-speed manual or a five-speed auto, and a dual-range transmission and is priced from $30,990.
Below that is a $28,990 five-door, five-seat wagon with a 103kW/183Nm 2.0lt four-cylinder engine and a dual range transmission. It comes with the choice of a four-speed auto or a five-speed manual.
The base model is a $23,990 three-door, four-seater powered by a 1.6lt four-cylinder good for a claimed 73kW/139kW. It has a single-range, full-time 4WD system and is only available with a five-speed manual gearbox.
The automatic gearbox option adds $2000 with both wagons; alloy wheels are a $1000 option on the V6 while cruise control is a $695 option.
COMFORT
Suzuki has done a good job in creating a relatively spacious, comfortable, well appointed and well finished interior. The driver's seat comes with height adjustment (important for off-road driving) and there's good legroom for the rear-seat passengers even if it's a bit of a squeeze for three adults across the seat. For a small wagon the rear stowage space is impressive.
Comfort features include power steer, climate control, power windows and mirrors, four-speaker CD sound, and steering-wheel mounted audio controls.
SAFETY
Given its pricing, the new Grand Vitara doesn't skimp on safety. Standard features across all the models in the range include ABS brakes with EBD (pity the rear brakes are drums and not discs), and dual airbags. The front seat belts get height adjusters, pre-tensioners and force limiters.
On the five-seat models, the centre rear-seat passenger also gets a proper lap/sash belt. The wagons also get three child-restraint anchor points while the three-door, four-seat model has two restraints.
MECHANICAL
With the new Grand Vitara it's a case of out with the old and in with the new.
Traditional 4WD features like a separate chassis, live (solid) axles or part-time 4WD system are all gone. Instead the new Grand Vitara is essentially a monocoque design with four-wheel independent suspension and full-time 4WD. This apparent 'softening' of the Grand Vitara towards on- rather than off-road use doesn't mean, however, that Suzuki hasn't designed the new Grand Vitara to perform in the bush.
The V6, like the four-cylinder four-door wagon, has what Suzuki calls a '4-Mode 4X4' system. In this class of vehicle this is a sophisticated arrangement despite a bit of a fudge with the name - the fourth mode is neutral!
The standard operational mode is '4 High', a full-time 4WD mode for on-road and easy off-road use. For more difficult off-road conditions, the driver can select '4 High Lock' which locks the centre differential to stop any inter-axle wheelspin. For more difficult terrain the driver can select '4 Low Lock', which keeps the centre differential locked and engages the low range gearset.
The low-range bit is important here as proper (see note) low-range gearing is unique in this class. The low-range gearset gives the V6 an overall first gear-low reduction of 32.1:1 for the manual and 29.8:1for the auto. All pretty hardy when you're trying to negotiate a slippery downhill slope, or climb a steep track that's too rough to tackle at with much speed on board.
Note that manual, non-turbo Subaru Foresters have dual-range gearing but, compared to the Suzuki, the gearing reduction is very small.
COMPETITORS
This is a tough market to crack with Nissan's X-Trail, Toyota's Rav4, Honda's CR-V and Subaru's Forester all solid products with good reputations and consistently strong sales.
More recently, the Koreans have joined the fray with value-for-money offerings like the Hyundai Tucson and its under-the-skin twin the new Kia Sportage. Both have been well received.
While all these vehicles are creditable competitors, the new Grand Vitara (at least in wagon form) can trump them with better off-road credentials, but whether this will be a prime selling point with potential buyers is yet to be seen.
ON THE ROAD
First thing you notice about the new Grand Vitara is the quality of the ride and the lack of road noise.
This is a far more refined package than the out-going Grand Vitara and it rides and handles far better than the vehicle it replaces.
Pushed hard there is some understeer and body roll, but nothing out of the ordinary for a vehicle that weighs 1595kg in manual form and 1640kg is an auto.
The suspension itself uses struts up front and multi links at the rear and, true to its off-road promise, the suspension components appear robust enough to cope with semi-regular bush driving.
Not so impressive is the V6 engine.
It's keen enough, but harsh and noisy at high revs, while at low and middle revs it never feels all that interested. It works best when married up to the five-speed manual although the five-speed auto isn't bad and has a staggered gate that makes for easy 'manual' control.
At launch, Suzuki provided a man-made 4WD course that proved a doddle for the Grand Vitara. Even with its open differentials front and rear, and no other traction aids like electronic traction control, despite the fact that ABS is standard, this was no test.
But, either way, the Grand Vitara shouldn't have too much trouble bettering its rivals off road - the low-range gearing, and the good approach, ramp-over and departure angles will see to that.
No chance to test the fuel consumption but, according to Euro combined-cycle figures supplied by Suzuki, a manual V6 consumes 11.1L/100km while the auto V6 is slightly thirstier at 11.6L/100km. The four-cylinder wagon is better with figures of 9.2L/100km and 10.1L/100km for the manual and auto respectively, while the manual-only three-door is the economy king with a figure of 9.0L/100km.
For those interested in towing, the five-door models can tow up to a 1850kg braked trailer while the three-door model is rated at 1600kg for a braked trailer. The maximum towball download is 85kg.
* Due to different state distributors, product and pricing information may not apply in Queensland and in areas of northern NSW north of the mouth of the Clarence River to Mungindi.