In a segment dominated by car-based crossovers with only the pretense of off-road capability, Suzuki's Grand Vitara combines unexpected on-road refinement with an aggressive dose of off-road capability. With its powerful go-anywhere standard V6 engine, available Four-Mode full time four-wheel drive with two-speed transfer case, reinforced unibody chassis with built-in ladder frame and 3,000 lbs towing capacity, it's clear the Grand Vitara was built for the life enthusiast's "Way of Life."
In its inaugural year, the new Grand Vitara collected numerous top honors, including Sport Truck Connection Television's "Annual Light Truck and SUV" award, the "Best Kept Secret of 2006" editors' choice award by Autobytel and AutoPacific's "Vehicle Satisfaction" Award for best compact SUV. The Grand Vitara also was nominated for the North American Truck of the Year and Four Wheeler magazine's Four Wheeler of the Year. The 2007 Suzuki Grand Vitara received the prestigious Consumer Guide1 Automotive Best Buy award, out-ranking nearly 20 other vehicles in the compact sport-utility vehicle category, and the AutoPacific 2007 Ideal Vehicle Award in the Compact SUV/Off-Road Vehicle category.
For 2008, the Grand Vitara builds on a variety of enhancements introduced in 2007. This year, Suzuki adds a remote fuel door release, upgraded sound deadening materials and a newly designed climate control head unit. The sunroof becomes a standard feature starting on the XSport Package.
As with all 2008 Suzuki automobiles, the Grand Vitara is backed by America's #1 Warranty: a 100,000-miles/seven-year, fully transferable, zero-deductible powertrain limited warranty.
Standard DOHC V6 Power
The standard 2.7-liter, V6, 24-valve DOHC engine delivers 185 horsepower and 184 lb.-ft. of torque to the rear wheels. This engine gives the Grand Vitara a tow rating of 3,000 pounds - enough to haul light recreational boats, personal watercraft or Suzuki motorcycles, and double that of several competitors.
Advanced technology also reduces maintenance requirements, building on the vehicle's affordable price point with economy of operation. The dual overhead camshafts are driven by a self-adjusting, self-lubricating timing chain that requires no maintenance in normal service. In addition, a specially tuned variable induction system (VIS) improves throttle response and increases overall engine efficiency. As part of the overall refinement, the engine now sits on hydraulic engine mounts to further reduce vibration and noise.
The Grand Vitara is fitted with a smooth-shifting five-speed manual transmission as standard equipment. It also offers an available electronically controlled five-speed automatic transmission.
Four-Wheel-Drive Traction
The Grand Vitara equipped with the Four-Mode full time four-wheel-drive system offers the best of both worlds: it is exceptionally capable off-road, but behaves perfectly on the asphalt. With excellent approach, break-over and departure angles, and 7.9 inches of ground clearance (4WD models), the Grand Vitara means business. Adding to that credible off-road capability is a sophisticated available Four-Mode full-time four-wheel-drive system with two-speed transfer case. On the road, drivers can leave the interior-mounted transfer case switch in 4H and the electronically controlled on-demand all-wheel-drive system will apply traction to the front wheels as needed, making city driving smooth and precise. When traveling off-road or for low-speed power and traction, drivers can turn the switch to high-range 4H Lock or low-range 4L Lock to engage the center differential lock.
RV prospects should note: the Grand Vitara equipped with the Four-Mode full-time 4WD system can also be towed with four wheels on the ground - with the transfer case switch in the neutral position - to reduce driveline wear and prevent non-driving miles from accumulating on the odometer.
The Grand Vitara delivers EPA fuel economy estimates of 17 mpg/city and 22 mpg/highway with the automatic transmission and two-wheel drive.