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Page last updated at 11:26 GMT, Thursday 4th March 2010
SUZUKI GRAND VITARA 2.4 SZ5You could argue that Suzuki created the compact-SUV market when it launched the original Vitara range way back in 1988. Here, for the first time, was a car-size 4x4 that went well, handled well and was more practical than a similarly sized conventional hatchback. The fact that it was also a handy little tool in the rough was an added bonus, even if most owners never did exploit its off-road capability.
The GV does still have a following, though, appealing to buyers who rate its value for money, its decent equipment levels and its reputation for reliability. This latest-shape version has been around for a few years now, but has been criticised by some testers in the past for not being as refined or as dynamic as rivals like the Toyota RAV4 and Honda CR-V. And so Suzuki set about carrying out some improvements just recently. The latest round of changes has seen the old 2.0-litre petrol version being replaced by a new 2.4-litre four-cylinder unit, while the 1.9-litre (Renault-supplied) turbo-diesel continues as before. But we wanted to get our hands on the newest petrol model to see whether the changes have been worthwhile. PETROL POWER In truth, Suzuki’s new 2393cc petrol unit is loosely based around the previous 2.0-litre engine, so it’s not exactly brand new. But it is vastly improved, with power increased to 170bhp at 6000rpm, plus a useful 168lb.ft. of torque at 3800rpm. And while fans of diesel engines will smirk at such a torque figure, the reality is that it’s perfectly acceptable for a petrol lump of this size.
What’s particularly noticeable is that the new 2.4-litre GV is a more refined beast than its predecessor, with less noise and a far more relaxed cruising style making motorway journeys less of a chore. Round town too, much of the Suzuki’s previous harshness and lack of refinement has been dealt with, which will no doubt be welcomed by the school run brigade. Another bonus is that the gearchange is slick and precise compared with the previous-generation Grand Vitara, while handling and roadholding are also improved. It doesn’t set any new standards or do anything infinitely better than its major rivals, but the latest Grand Vitara does at least manage to compete on a far more equal footing. And, of course, it continues to offer the advantage of a permanent four-wheel drive set-up, more details of which later. But does the petrol version really deserve a place in a market dominated by diesel powerplants? It’s a valid question, particularly as other compact-SUV ranges (including the Land Rover Freelander and Mitsubishi Outlander) offer diesel-only power. According to Suzuki, though, there remains a niche market for petrol-engined SUVs – and you can’t knock the company for exploiting it. DECENT PACKAGE
With the top-of-the-range Grand Vitara we've been testing carrying a list price not much south of £20k, it's obviously not short of competition. But as most similarly-priced petrol-engined rivals are near the bottom of their respective ranges (such as the £20,113 Toyota RAV4 XT-R 2.0 VVT-i – which at that price comes with two-wheel drive in any case), you can see that you’re getting a lot for your money. Okay, the Grand Vitara may not be the very best vehicle in its class, but it is decent value for money.
There’s no doubt that the latest Grand Vitara is a significant improvement on what went before, its 2010-model updates and enhancements making it an improved all-round product. And yet it hasn’t lost its sense of value, with the cheapest model (a 1.6-litre petrol-engined three-door) available from as little as £14,295. But what about in top-of-the-range five-door guise with Suzuki’s latest 2.4-litre petrol engine for power? VERDICT In a market dominated by diesel alternatives, the 2.4-litre SZ5 makes a surprisingly good case for itself. It’s swift enough on the open road, far more refined than its predecessor and acceptably economical (almost 30mpg overall when driven sensibly). But it will always be the niche model in the Grand Vitara range, with most buyers opting for the 1.9-litre turbo-diesel instead – a model we’ve criticised in the past for its noise and harshness. At £19k, the GV SZ5 makes a lot of sense, being a handsome machine that’s well equipped, better to drive than ever and capable in just about any situation. Yes, despite there being a wide choice of far newer rivals around now, we reckon the Grand Vitara still appeals. And with most Suzuki dealers being more than willing to ‘do a deal’ in today’s market, you should find the GV’s already competitive price little more than a starting point. It might be getting on in years, but Suzuki’s grandest of Vitaras remains a logical buy.
MAKE & MODEL: Suzuki Grand Vitara 2.4 SZ5 |
Fast-forward 22 years and you’ll find Suzuki still in the same market, this time with the latest Grand Vitara. But, of course, the company faces intense competition these days, with most major manufacturers now offering at least one compact SUV. And that means the Grand Vitara isn’t quite the dominant force that its forebears were.
This obviously translates into improved all-round performance – and yes, the petrol-powered Grand Vitara does now feel a whole lot livelier. With the standard five-speed manual transmission (four-speed auto is an option), the GV five-door will hit 115mph flat out, with 0-60 along the way in 11.7 seconds. And while such figures could hardly be called exciting, they’re again more than adequate in daily use, the GV never feeling like it’s suffering from a lack of get up and go.
It’ll come as no surprise to anybody familiar with Suzuki’s approach that the latest Grand Vitara also comes impressively well equipped. Our test vehicle was supplied in the latest top-of-the-range SZ5 trim, priced at £19,385. And while that might sound a lot to anybody who associates Suzuki with cheap and cheerful 4x4s, let’s remember that the SZ5 comes as standard with leather upholstery, heated front seats, chrome and ‘wood effect’ inlays (not as ghastly looking as they sound), air conditioning, a six-CD sound system with MP3, 18-inch alloys, electric sunroof and an array of other gizmos to keep the gadget-fussy owner more than happy. 
And it’s also a rather useful off-road machine, thanks to its permanent four-wheel drive with separate settings for locking the centre differential and selecting low-range gearing when the going gets tough. And while the petrol-powered GV lacks the ultimate ‘grunt’ and torque of its diesel cousin when out in the rough, it’s still more than capable of hauling itself around some inhospitable terrain – aided by a 200mm ground clearance and approach and departure angles of 29 and 27 degrees respectively.| Email a friend | Français | Deutsch | Español | Italiano |
