The little engine that could… drink a lot
Before going any further, it must be said that the Suzuki Grand Vitara comes standard with four-wheel drive, so forgive it for burning a little more fuel than similar compact SUVs.
A little? Well, despite Suzuki claiming that the 2.4-litre, 4-cylinder engine is more efficient than ever, the Grand Vitara is still a (much) heavier drinker than the competition. My tester averaged 11.5 L/100 km in combined city-highway driving.
This thirst for gasoline casts a shadow on what is otherwise a flexible and docile powerplant, one that even feels spirited in some conditions. Granted, the outdated autobox, which boasts four gears only, does nothing to improve fuel economy.
The Grand Vitara still proves surprisingly fun on the road, however. The firm yet compliant suspension effectively absorbs the main imperfections, while the taut, rigid chassis contributes to exemplary driving dynamics. Add a sharp, pleasant steering that requires no correction and you get a competent, underrated performer.
I’m definitely not saying that the 2010 Suzuki Grand Vitara is perfect. The interior is still pretty noisy and the brakes won’t reassure you. Then again, these various flaws are nowhere near as bad as the vehicle’s reputation will lead you to believe. In reality, the Grand Vitara possesses enough qualities to go toe to toe with any other compact SUV.
Before going any further, it must be said that the Suzuki Grand Vitara comes standard with four-wheel drive, so forgive it for burning a little more fuel than similar compact SUVs.
A little? Well, despite Suzuki claiming that the 2.4-litre, 4-cylinder engine is more efficient than ever, the Grand Vitara is still a (much) heavier drinker than the competition. My tester averaged 11.5 L/100 km in combined city-highway driving.
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| A little? Well, despite Suzuki claiming that the 2.4-litre, 4-cylinder engine is more efficient than ever, the Grand Vitara is still a (much) heavier drinker than the competition. (Photo: Matthieu Lambert/Auto123.com) |
This thirst for gasoline casts a shadow on what is otherwise a flexible and docile powerplant, one that even feels spirited in some conditions. Granted, the outdated autobox, which boasts four gears only, does nothing to improve fuel economy.
The Grand Vitara still proves surprisingly fun on the road, however. The firm yet compliant suspension effectively absorbs the main imperfections, while the taut, rigid chassis contributes to exemplary driving dynamics. Add a sharp, pleasant steering that requires no correction and you get a competent, underrated performer.
I’m definitely not saying that the 2010 Suzuki Grand Vitara is perfect. The interior is still pretty noisy and the brakes won’t reassure you. Then again, these various flaws are nowhere near as bad as the vehicle’s reputation will lead you to believe. In reality, the Grand Vitara possesses enough qualities to go toe to toe with any other compact SUV.
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