Archive for the ‘Grand Vitara’ Category

Driven: 2010 Suzuki Grand Vitara

By Bengt HalvorsonBengt Halvorson, November 24th, 2009

The vehicle that carries on the conservative side of that legacy—and the only SUV left in Suzuki's lineup, with the XL7 discontinued—is the Grand Vitara. As Suzuki's bread and butter utility vehicle, it's quite distinct in the market today because of its slightly truckier layout, compared to other compact crossover...

While the all-new 2010 Kizashi sedan is earning Suzuki some well-deserved attention, we can't forget that SUVs are what Suzuki has really built its name on in the U.S. Vehicles like the Samurai, Sidekick, and Vitara forged a path for Suzuki as the producer of sturdy, compact, off-road-capable, and sometimes-eccentric (X90) SUVs. The vehicle that carries on the conservative side of that legacy—and the only SUV left in Suzuki's lineup, with the XL7 discontinued—is the Grand Vitara. As Suzuki's bread and butter utility vehicle, it's quite distinct in the market today because of its slightly truckier layout, compared to other compact crossover... Read More

Tags: Driven, Suzuki

Posted in: 2010, Suzuki, SUVs / Wagons, SUVs, Grand Vitara

Driven: 2009 Suzuki Grand Vitara

By Marty PadgettMarty Padgett, September 24th, 2008

Suzuki should strongly consider renaming this vehicle. Bearing little resemblance in performance, panache, or style to its mediocre, cramped predecessor that debuted in the United States around the turn of the millennium, the freshened '09 GV (that's what we'll call it) is a decided 180 from the original. New for '09 are both a base four-cylinder, at a very RAV4 and CR-V 2.4 liters, and a 3.2-liter V-6 based loosely on the GM high-feature V-6 found in products as disparate as Malibus, Enclaves, and the CTS. The four-cylinder, Suzuki's own design, benefits from the wonders of variable-valve timing and is smooth, torquey, and more than... Suzuki should strongly consider renaming this vehicle. Bearing little resemblance in performance, panache, or style to its mediocre, cramped predecessor that debuted in the United States around the turn of the millennium, the freshened '09 GV (that's what we'll call it) is a decided 180 from the original. New for '09 are both a base four-cylinder, at a very RAV4 and CR-V 2.4 liters, and a 3.2-liter V-6 based loosely on the GM high-feature V-6 found in products as disparate as Malibus, Enclaves, and the CTS. The four-cylinder, Suzuki's own design, benefits from the wonders of variable-valve timing and is smooth, torquey, and more than... Read More

Posted in: 2009, Suzuki, Sports Cars, Grand Vitara