* Click HERE to see a video on the Suzuki Grand Vitara *
From nowhere to near the top
Compact SUVs are an eco-friendlier way of getting some off-road capabilities as well as some utility. This ever growing segment has a wide selection of models of which only a few are worthy of being called a 4X4 although many claim to be.
My truck of the week is a 2006 Suzuki Grand Vitara. For this year, Suzuki gave it a complete overhaul. The Grand Vitara is the newest SUV in a very long line of compact Suzuki SUVs and trucks that date back over 20 years in North America and nearly 40 years for the rest of the world. So needless to say, they know their trucks.
Base price is $24,495. The fully loaded JLX with leather retails for only $29,995. This is my tester.
Styling
The Grand Vitara is actually quite good looking. It is a departure from the previous generation's boxy design and now looks more like a complete product. Its lines have been modernized and it now fits nicely in the
line-up with the Honda CR-V and the Toyota RAV4. My favourite aspect of the Grand Vitara's new face is the hood that stretches over the top of the headlights. The impression is bolder and more aggressive. The monochrome paint scheme and the choice of colors combined with the handsome 17" alloy wheels also give the truck a sporty allure.
The interior is well assembled and generally comfortable. The leather that covers my JLX-Leather's seats is supple. The general impression of the cabin is upscale although upon closer inspection, we find a few uneven panel gaps and some hard plastics. The sections of the dashboard are properly assembled. The center dash console is aesthetically pleasing as well as functional. The HVAC controls are simple to operate and also have a classy feel. Every Grand Vitara gets an XM-ready audio system and steering-wheel mounted buttons.
Other than the cowhide seats, my top-of-the-line JLX-Leather receives a host of interesting standard features. Perhaps the most surprising is the Smartpass intelligent key system; keep the fob in your pocket and forget it. Also, it has a Homelink system, heated front seats, an in-dash 6CD/MP3 player with a subwoofer and a sunroof. All this equipment is given to the buyer for less than 30 grand. The catch is that other usual luxury accessories such as power seats are left behind to keep the price down. Regardless of what may be lacking, the package is still quite complete.
From nowhere to near the top
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My truck of the week is a 2006 Suzuki Grand Vitara. For this year, Suzuki gave it a complete overhaul. The Grand Vitara is the newest SUV in a very long line of compact Suzuki SUVs and trucks that date back over 20 years in North America and nearly 40 years for the rest of the world. So needless to say, they know their trucks.
Base price is $24,495. The fully loaded JLX with leather retails for only $29,995. This is my tester.
Styling
The Grand Vitara is actually quite good looking. It is a departure from the previous generation's boxy design and now looks more like a complete product. Its lines have been modernized and it now fits nicely in the
 |
The interior is well assembled and generally comfortable. The leather that covers my JLX-Leather's seats is supple. The general impression of the cabin is upscale although upon closer inspection, we find a few uneven panel gaps and some hard plastics. The sections of the dashboard are properly assembled. The center dash console is aesthetically pleasing as well as functional. The HVAC controls are simple to operate and also have a classy feel. Every Grand Vitara gets an XM-ready audio system and steering-wheel mounted buttons.
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