When the Grand Vitara was redesigned for the 2006 model year, the 4-cylinder Vitara bit the dust. Suzuki's compact SUV was left with only one engine which was shared with the old XL7. For a few years, it was sufficient.
Now, as SUV owners are downsizing, 4-cylinder trucks are the new trend. Toyota's RAV4, Ford's Escape and Mazda's Tribute have all received engine upgrades for 2009, so Suzuki didn't have much choice but to follow suit. And the Grand Vitara actually gets two new engines for 2009, a four and a more-powerful six.
4 cylinders get the job done
Last year's 2.7-litre V6 wheezed out 185 horses and 184 lb-ft of torque; on paper, the new 2.4-litre unit is less gutsy, rated at 166 hp and 162 lb-ft. In real-world driving, though, the difference isn't noticeable. 0 to 100 km/h sprints in the 2009 model take 10.2 seconds, which is 0.2 seconds quicker than the 2008 model.
The big difference is felt when you feel the need for downshifting; the 4-cylinder Grand Vitara gets only 4 speeds in its automatic gearbox, versus 5 for the V6. And the purpose of moving down to a smaller engine is to save fuel, but the 4-pot's lower consumption isn't remarkable; our average of 11.5 L/100 km is about a half-litre less than with the old V6.
If you're wondering about the new V6 for 2009, it's a 3.2-litre unit that develops 230 horses and 213 lb-ft of torque, which is a closer match to the V6 engines available in the competition.
Speaking of which, one handy feature for those who actually want to go off-roading with their compact truck is the Grand Vitara's true 4-wheel drive system complete with driver-selectable transfer case. There's even a low range for tiptoeing over treacherous terrain, something CR-Vs and Rogues can only dream of doing.
Fit and finish
The Grand Vitara's cabin isn't particularly luxurious, but the use of good-quality materials and an honest design make for an appealing environment. The dash layout is straightforward and the front passengers get an excellent seating position.
Two things inside the truck bothers me. The sound system's antenna reception isn't very good, but at least the wheel-mounted controls are perfectly-placed. And every time I press on the brake pedal, a slight but strange clicking noise is heard from under the dash.
Now, as SUV owners are downsizing, 4-cylinder trucks are the new trend. Toyota's RAV4, Ford's Escape and Mazda's Tribute have all received engine upgrades for 2009, so Suzuki didn't have much choice but to follow suit. And the Grand Vitara actually gets two new engines for 2009, a four and a more-powerful six.
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| The Grand Vitara is a well-built vehicle that can rival the more popular models in that category. |
4 cylinders get the job done
Last year's 2.7-litre V6 wheezed out 185 horses and 184 lb-ft of torque; on paper, the new 2.4-litre unit is less gutsy, rated at 166 hp and 162 lb-ft. In real-world driving, though, the difference isn't noticeable. 0 to 100 km/h sprints in the 2009 model take 10.2 seconds, which is 0.2 seconds quicker than the 2008 model.
The big difference is felt when you feel the need for downshifting; the 4-cylinder Grand Vitara gets only 4 speeds in its automatic gearbox, versus 5 for the V6. And the purpose of moving down to a smaller engine is to save fuel, but the 4-pot's lower consumption isn't remarkable; our average of 11.5 L/100 km is about a half-litre less than with the old V6.
If you're wondering about the new V6 for 2009, it's a 3.2-litre unit that develops 230 horses and 213 lb-ft of torque, which is a closer match to the V6 engines available in the competition.
Speaking of which, one handy feature for those who actually want to go off-roading with their compact truck is the Grand Vitara's true 4-wheel drive system complete with driver-selectable transfer case. There's even a low range for tiptoeing over treacherous terrain, something CR-Vs and Rogues can only dream of doing.
Fit and finish
The Grand Vitara's cabin isn't particularly luxurious, but the use of good-quality materials and an honest design make for an appealing environment. The dash layout is straightforward and the front passengers get an excellent seating position.
Two things inside the truck bothers me. The sound system's antenna reception isn't very good, but at least the wheel-mounted controls are perfectly-placed. And every time I press on the brake pedal, a slight but strange clicking noise is heard from under the dash.
 |
| The dash layout is straightforward and the front passengers get an excellent seating position. |