Suzuki Grand Vitara 2.0-Litre 16v Range
For a company thats the tenth biggest manufacturer of cars in the world, its fair to say that Suzuki doesnt have a particularly strong brand image in this country. Ask most people about Suzuki cars and theyll conjure up images of rather odd, very small and wholly Japanese offerings, not really tailored to European tastes. That image is set to change. The launch of the latest Swift proved that Suzuki could develop a modern car that UK buyers would take to and that model has been rapidly followed by the Grand Vitara, another line that looks as if it will do good business.
The 2.0-litre petrol model forms the mainstay of the Grand Vitara line up and is an impressive entrant.
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Theres a 1.6-litre petrol three-door car that opens the range and then there are the five-door models that kick off with this 138bhp 2.0-litre petrol unit. The five-door range has been fleshed out with a Renault-sourced 1.
9-litre turbodiesel and a punchy petrol V6. Suzuki are sensitive about standing accused of making just another barbie truck but look a little closer at the Grand Vitara and youll see that its made of surprisingly stern stuff. Unlike some rivals that sell front-wheel drive entry level versions of their 4x4s in a bid to generate an eye-catching low sticker price, every Grand Vitara variant is properly all-wheel drive. By that we mean full-time four-wheel drive with a 47:53 front:rear torque split. There are also proper off-roader features like a locking centre differential and a low-range transfer box. In that regard, youre getting the best of both worlds - a vehicle that looks urbane and socially acceptably but which can really roll its sleeves up when the going gets slippery.
"The Grand Vitara packs a lot of capability and desirability into £14,000s worth of compact 4x4"
The 2.0-litre engine is eager to rev but will probably need a bit of a prodding if the Grand Vitara is loaded with people and gear, the 135lb/ft torque figure being bettered by most rivals. Whether you get on with the car will probably depend on how you plan to use it. If itll most often be used one or two up with the occasional heavier use, the 2.
0-litre will be fine. If heavier activities such as family or towing duties are called for, the turbo diesel version will probably be a better bet. Its good to see the Vitara brand being rehabilitated after the indignities it suffered at the hands of fashion in the early nineties. The first signs of a Vitara revival came in 1998 when an all-new model was introduced.
Suzuki ditched the rather frivolous short-wheelbase Vitara in 2000 and sales of the more sensible Grand started to pick up, helped by a handsome three-door Grand Vitara model introduced in 2001. Seven years is a long time for a model to survive in a sector as fast moving as the compact 4x4 market, and even the introduction of a seven-seat version couldnt punt the Grand Vitara into the premier league of big sellers. What was needed was an all-new model and when the covers came off the show car at the 2005 Frankfurt Show, it was apparent that Suzuki had been paying attention to the current trends. The neat, minimal front end styling is very appealing, while the sculpted wheelarches and clever use of curves and angles in the cars glasshouse gives it a very contemporary look.
Longer, taller and wider than its predecessor, it improves on its packaging still further, offering decent space for taller rear seat passengers. Suzuki claim there are no plans to replace the seven-seat variants of the old Vitara but both three and five-door five-seater models are offered. A side-hinged tailgate features a separately opening rear window section so youll be able to sling a couple of bags in if space is tight in the multi-storey. The interior has been given a radical rethink.
Gone are the acres of black or grey plastics as seen in the old Grand Vitara and in its place comes a far more stylish duotone finish to the dashboard. The three-spoke steering wheel is an attractive design and can be configured with wheel-mounted controls for the stereo. The centre console features clean design and effective ergonomics while the instrument binnacle contains the speedometer in the middle ringed by a metallic finish. The rev counter sits on one side and the minor dials on the other, creating an interesting three-dimensional effect.
Soft touch plastics are used for the door tops and the grab handles and many of the oddments trays feature damped actions for their lids, helping to further reinforce the impression of quality. The Grand Vitara has been designed with utility in mind too. There are three 12v power outlets fitted as standard one in the boot and two in the front of the cabin so that should put paid to arguments over whether the phone or the iPod gets priority. The side-opening tailgate also incorporates an interesting function whereby it will open to 65 degrees to an initial detent so that the luggage bay can still be accessed and traffic can still see the tail lights.
Pull it again and it will swing open through the full 90-dgeree arc. Its hard to see how the Grand Vitara could be a lot better for the price Suzuki are charging. It incorporates all of the must-haves and quite a few features that are surprisingly welcome in a £13,999 compact 4x4. Its not perfect - the engine is a little uncouth and the interior plastics could be a little better but at this price, such complaints evaporate into churlishness.
If youre looking for a budget compact 4x4, it looks like we have a new class leader.
FACTS AT A GLANCE
CAR: Suzuki Grand Vitara 2.0 range
PRICE: £15,675 - on the road
INSURANCE GROUP: 14
CO2 EMISSIONS: 220g/km
PERFORMANCE: 0-60 12.2 seconds Top Speed 109mph
FUEL CONSUMPTION: (urban) 24.4 (extra urban) 37.2 (combined) 31 mpg
WILL IT FIT IN YOUR GARAGE?: Length/Width/Height, 4470/1810/1695mm
