If you're looking for a small to medium sized SUV that can adapt easily to any chore or situation, the used options are plentiful. The Ford Escape, Honda CRV, Toyota Rav4, Saturn Vue and Mazda Tribute all pop into mind quickly. Each offers a unique blend of creature comforts, off-road ability and flexibility for your day to day routine.
Suzuki is a rapidly growing Japanese builder of all sorts of vehicles- and their four-door Grand Vitara model has been on sale in Canada for nearly a decade. The second-generation model is now on sale, after the first-gen machine was sold from 1999 to 2005.
Grand Vitara earns the 'Grand' designation from its four-door body, and it offered owners a fuel-efficient engine mated to a capable four-wheel drive system that excelled in the dirt and in winter conditions.
Power was available from a 2.5 liter V6 that generated 155 horsepower. Later in the Grand Vitara's life, the four-cam engine was revamped for an extra ten ponies. These aren't performance-oriented powerplants by any stretch, but fuel mileage will be decent for the vehicle's size.
A five-speed manual was standard, which is somewhat rare in the market. If you don't like to shift your own gears, a four-speed automatic was optional.
Suzuki's four wheel drive system included a two speed transfer case that allowed for low range gearing to be engaged for added traction and torque.
This feature is handy for towing a boat up a slippery launch-ramp or traversing a steep slope during off-road driving. Most competitors didn't offer a selectable transfer case- reflecting Suzuki's dedication to more adventurous buyers.
You may find optional extras on your potential used model like a hard spare-tire cover, tinted glass, fog-lamps and leather seating. A 6-CD changer was available on certain models, as was a sunroof and heated seats.
Common owner complaints include small controls which are hard to operate while wearing gloves, as well as narrow and unsupportive front seating. Grand Vitara's off-road prowess comes at the expense of steering precision, and owners report a feeling of 'slack' in the steering as well as extra effort required to keep the machine in a straight line at speed.
Suzuki is a rapidly growing Japanese builder of all sorts of vehicles- and their four-door Grand Vitara model has been on sale in Canada for nearly a decade. The second-generation model is now on sale, after the first-gen machine was sold from 1999 to 2005.
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| 2005 Suzuki Grand Vitara |
Grand Vitara earns the 'Grand' designation from its four-door body, and it offered owners a fuel-efficient engine mated to a capable four-wheel drive system that excelled in the dirt and in winter conditions.
Power was available from a 2.5 liter V6 that generated 155 horsepower. Later in the Grand Vitara's life, the four-cam engine was revamped for an extra ten ponies. These aren't performance-oriented powerplants by any stretch, but fuel mileage will be decent for the vehicle's size.
A five-speed manual was standard, which is somewhat rare in the market. If you don't like to shift your own gears, a four-speed automatic was optional.
Suzuki's four wheel drive system included a two speed transfer case that allowed for low range gearing to be engaged for added traction and torque.
This feature is handy for towing a boat up a slippery launch-ramp or traversing a steep slope during off-road driving. Most competitors didn't offer a selectable transfer case- reflecting Suzuki's dedication to more adventurous buyers.
You may find optional extras on your potential used model like a hard spare-tire cover, tinted glass, fog-lamps and leather seating. A 6-CD changer was available on certain models, as was a sunroof and heated seats.
Common owner complaints include small controls which are hard to operate while wearing gloves, as well as narrow and unsupportive front seating. Grand Vitara's off-road prowess comes at the expense of steering precision, and owners report a feeling of 'slack' in the steering as well as extra effort required to keep the machine in a straight line at speed.
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