Introduction to the 2006 Grand Vitara
The 2006 Grand Vitara is totally new, based on a recent concept vehicle, available in front-wheel-drive and 4-wheel drive variants. It remains a capable off-roader, still built on a truck-type chassis. Styling is contemporary, standard equipment is outstanding for the price and includes 6 airbags. Every Grand Vitara comes with an overhead-cam V-6 engine producing 185 hp and ample torque for towing.
Prices start at $18,499 for the FWD version or $24,399 with Luxury Package and 4WD, as tested.
No one can deny the handsome styling but therein lies a problem. This new Grand Vitara is no longer unique. Case in point: It was parked nose-to-tail with a hundred other vehicles on the bottom deck of the BC Ferry that was bringing us from Vancouver to my home on Vancouver Island.
It can be difficult to find your car when you return from the passenger deck as the ferry approaches the dock; moments of panic happen if you're standing on starboard when you should be on port or bow instead of stern, and your car's nowhere in sight. Well... I spotted the Grand Vitara, tried to open the door, suddenly realised I was struggling with the wrong vehicle, a competing make in an identical color. Luckily I found the Suzuki in time to avoid blocking traffic. Goodbye funk, hello middle-of-the-road.
I hate to admit this but I find pleasure in any vehicle where I can easily step up and in. Which instantly made me like the Grand Vitara. I found visibility to be excellent, admired the elegance of the interior, appreciated the power windows, wondered why there were no power seats. Not that I'm lazy, mind you, but this was an odd omission in an otherwise well-equipped vehicle. On the other hand, those seats were heated and with temps getting close to freezing I appreciated the bum-warmers.
Opened the sunroof, cranked up the heat, motored off in perfect comfort.
But not before cursing the remote. With the key in your pocket you can start the engine. Fine, except the system requires manipulating the typical keyhole slot in a manner that is awkward and, well, downright stupid. Classic example of wanting to be cool without cool thinking. That aside, I liked the panel design even if it did take time to figure out the heating system.
In back there was plenty of legroom and headroom. Yet something was digging into my shoulders (oh, right, lift the headrests, dummy!) Those split-folding seats are a bit too firm but being raised above the front offer decent visibility. Ladies... don't expect to hang anything larger than a wire hangar on the coat hooks. Men and women will, however, appreciate a cargo door that swings rather than raises... if only Suzuki realised we drive on the right and the door should open to the left for safety. Cargo capacity is average.
A long wheelbase told me the ride would be smooth and short overhangs and high ground clearance meant that trail-riding won't be a problem. If I wanted to get down-and-dirty and go where low gear and a locked differential is a necessity the easy-to-use panel switch told me I'd be safe. I could change from 4WD High to 4WD Low in a heartbeat and crawl down Mount Vesuvius... if only I knew how to get up there.
A unit-body sitting on a truck-type chassis, the Grand Vitara, for all its luxury, remains an honest off-roader.
But like most people I prefer to stay on the pavement, in which case I could forget all that. Except when bouncing over bumps and potholes. And I truly appreciated something that appeals both on-road and off: a tight turning circle and steering with quick turn-in, meaning that when a sudden manouver is demanded, the Grand Vitara responds. Immediately. It also handles well through the corners.
That 184 hp and 4-speed auto may not be impressive but take it from me, if you hit the hot pedal the Grand Vitara responds well. It can pull a 3000 lb trailer with little effort and according to those who know is designed for easy-towing behind one of those, uh, mobile cottages. (Maybe I'm being a touch intolerant but if I were planning a moving vacation I'd rather be on the water. A Grand Vitara with a Hobie Cat on a trailer, maybe?) Assuming none of those, it impressed me as an everyday family car that could handle the weather if ever I (ugh) moved back to Ontario.
Except, I should add, the loss of character as Suzuki endeavours to go mainstream.
In base 2WD form the Grand Vitara competes with the RAV4, Honda CR-V, Ford Element. Against that opposition the standard V-6 and moderate price may give it an advantage. Step up to the 4-wheel-drive version and go off-road and the Suzuki Grand Vitara leaves them behind. Sipping, by the way, very little fuel. The question, then, is whether by going mainstream, the Grand Vitara is a step in the right direction or becomes lost in the crowd.
Coming from one who confused it with a similar-looking vehicle the answer may be biased, but give me a choice of old-fashioned funk or a Grand Vitara that offers comfort, convenience and the ability to crawl down mountains and I'd probably go for the 2006 model. Especially if offroading was part of my lifestyle. The Grand Vitara is now trying to be all things to all people and you know what? It just may succeed.
The 2006 Grand Vitara is totally new, based on a recent concept vehicle, available in front-wheel-drive and 4-wheel drive variants. It remains a capable off-roader, still built on a truck-type chassis. Styling is contemporary, standard equipment is outstanding for the price and includes 6 airbags. Every Grand Vitara comes with an overhead-cam V-6 engine producing 185 hp and ample torque for towing.
Prices start at $18,499 for the FWD version or $24,399 with Luxury Package and 4WD, as tested.
First Glance at the Grand Vitara
I can recall the first SUV Suzuki brought to America. It was tiny, boxy, and provided unwanted notoriety when Consumer Reports managed to roll one. Still, there were owners who absolutely swore by it for off-road use. This was followed by a larger ute; Suzuki can, in fact, be credited with establishing the compact SUV segment. Then it moved up in size with the Vitara, which became the Grand Vitara, bringing with it some of the comfort features you'd find in a sedan. Still, it remained a funky, characterful vehicle you'd not mistake for anything else. Now we have an all-new Grand Vitara, which moves even further into the realm of car-like utes though it remains an honest off-roader.No one can deny the handsome styling but therein lies a problem. This new Grand Vitara is no longer unique. Case in point: It was parked nose-to-tail with a hundred other vehicles on the bottom deck of the BC Ferry that was bringing us from Vancouver to my home on Vancouver Island.
It can be difficult to find your car when you return from the passenger deck as the ferry approaches the dock; moments of panic happen if you're standing on starboard when you should be on port or bow instead of stern, and your car's nowhere in sight. Well... I spotted the Grand Vitara, tried to open the door, suddenly realised I was struggling with the wrong vehicle, a competing make in an identical color. Luckily I found the Suzuki in time to avoid blocking traffic. Goodbye funk, hello middle-of-the-road.
I hate to admit this but I find pleasure in any vehicle where I can easily step up and in. Which instantly made me like the Grand Vitara. I found visibility to be excellent, admired the elegance of the interior, appreciated the power windows, wondered why there were no power seats. Not that I'm lazy, mind you, but this was an odd omission in an otherwise well-equipped vehicle. On the other hand, those seats were heated and with temps getting close to freezing I appreciated the bum-warmers.
Opened the sunroof, cranked up the heat, motored off in perfect comfort.
But not before cursing the remote. With the key in your pocket you can start the engine. Fine, except the system requires manipulating the typical keyhole slot in a manner that is awkward and, well, downright stupid. Classic example of wanting to be cool without cool thinking. That aside, I liked the panel design even if it did take time to figure out the heating system.
In back there was plenty of legroom and headroom. Yet something was digging into my shoulders (oh, right, lift the headrests, dummy!) Those split-folding seats are a bit too firm but being raised above the front offer decent visibility. Ladies... don't expect to hang anything larger than a wire hangar on the coat hooks. Men and women will, however, appreciate a cargo door that swings rather than raises... if only Suzuki realised we drive on the right and the door should open to the left for safety. Cargo capacity is average.
A long wheelbase told me the ride would be smooth and short overhangs and high ground clearance meant that trail-riding won't be a problem. If I wanted to get down-and-dirty and go where low gear and a locked differential is a necessity the easy-to-use panel switch told me I'd be safe. I could change from 4WD High to 4WD Low in a heartbeat and crawl down Mount Vesuvius... if only I knew how to get up there.
A unit-body sitting on a truck-type chassis, the Grand Vitara, for all its luxury, remains an honest off-roader.
But like most people I prefer to stay on the pavement, in which case I could forget all that. Except when bouncing over bumps and potholes. And I truly appreciated something that appeals both on-road and off: a tight turning circle and steering with quick turn-in, meaning that when a sudden manouver is demanded, the Grand Vitara responds. Immediately. It also handles well through the corners.
That 184 hp and 4-speed auto may not be impressive but take it from me, if you hit the hot pedal the Grand Vitara responds well. It can pull a 3000 lb trailer with little effort and according to those who know is designed for easy-towing behind one of those, uh, mobile cottages. (Maybe I'm being a touch intolerant but if I were planning a moving vacation I'd rather be on the water. A Grand Vitara with a Hobie Cat on a trailer, maybe?) Assuming none of those, it impressed me as an everyday family car that could handle the weather if ever I (ugh) moved back to Ontario.
End of the Journey
At the end of my week with the Grand Vitara I was reluctant to give it up. Easy to live with and attractive enough when splashing through the two-buck car wash as I did prior to taking the photos, the Grand Vitara had won me over; yes, me, an automobile journalist with little time for SUVs. I'd put myself in the shoes of folks who are faced with difficult driving conditions and found little to criticise.Except, I should add, the loss of character as Suzuki endeavours to go mainstream.
In base 2WD form the Grand Vitara competes with the RAV4, Honda CR-V, Ford Element. Against that opposition the standard V-6 and moderate price may give it an advantage. Step up to the 4-wheel-drive version and go off-road and the Suzuki Grand Vitara leaves them behind. Sipping, by the way, very little fuel. The question, then, is whether by going mainstream, the Grand Vitara is a step in the right direction or becomes lost in the crowd.
Coming from one who confused it with a similar-looking vehicle the answer may be biased, but give me a choice of old-fashioned funk or a Grand Vitara that offers comfort, convenience and the ability to crawl down mountains and I'd probably go for the 2006 model. Especially if offroading was part of my lifestyle. The Grand Vitara is now trying to be all things to all people and you know what? It just may succeed.