Suzuki Grand Vitara 2006 through 2008
It has a fully independent suspension, unibody construction with ladder-frame chassis (like Honda Ridgeline), full-time 4WD with a locking center differential and low range. In Japan HIDs, NAV and an electronic stability program are standard. a 5-speed auto is standard with the V6 model. In Japan the V6 is 2.7L, but I think we will get a larger engine. Not sure if it has 3-row seating?





I saw the concept that was shown at the NY show, and was VERY impressed! Should be on sale here next fall.
Bob





I saw the concept that was shown at the NY show, and was VERY impressed! Should be on sale here next fall.
Bob
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http://www.suzukiauto.com/about_suzuki/concepts/concept_x2/
From Japanese Suzuki web site:
http://www.suzuki.co.jp/escudo/
Looks like it could be a poor man's mini Touareg.
Bob
Funny that Japan can't get over the forward-placed rearview mirrors...
Anyway, it was in royal blue, and it looked great. Much better than the bland/boring design of the current XL7 and Grand Vitara. It looks a whole lot bigger, even more than the XL7. Apparently it's 12 inches longer.
It must have been imported from Japan, but it had RHD! It started selling May 16 in Japan according to Autoweek.
I didn't even know these were out! :surprise:
Are you near Suzuki's American headquarters? It could be a pre-production model being tested by a Suzuki employee . Did it have "manuafacturer's" license plates?
Bob
I'm in the Middle East, so maybe the model will be released here before being released in America. It had normal plates, as far as I can remember.
Bob
The ride is not as good as the Forester, mainly because it appears to be a bit more rugged, and you can feel that going over bumps. It's weight is around 3600 lbs, which is in the Outback H-6 neighborhood. The steering seemed to be pretty quick, and quicker than the Forester I think.
The one I drove had the 5-speed automatic. All new Grand Vitaras have a 185 HP 2.7L V6 (w/timing chain), fully independent suspension, choice of 2WD, full-time 4WD, or 4-Mode 4WD (Neutral, 4-hi full-time, 4-hi lock, 4-lo lock), stability control, ABS, fullsize spare and 3K towing. They start around $19K. The one I drove was around $22K. It's a very nice package.
Bob
A $199/month lease for 36 months.
It could also be nothing more than a reaction to the high gas prices and the associated anti-SUV fever that is now so prevalent; just covering their butts, so to speak.
Bob
But the Grand Vitara isn't one of those full sizers that get 10 MPG and depend on low gas prices and America's desire for those large trucks to sell...
The Grand Vitara could actually be considered efficient when compared to say an Excursion or H2.
I guess Suzuki is trying to boost sales with this tactic, especially since its right after launch.
Anyway, I saw a Grand Vitara in silver color the other day and it looks great. Suzuki seems to have a homerun on their hands.
Very nice looking, outside and in. Nice seats, great features for the $$. Fun to drive, as well - plenty of get-up-and-go. The only negative I found was, on the freeway, the engine is revving pretty high - like 3000 RPM at 65 mph. Never needed to downshift to 4th to pass anyone, but never felt like it would make a relaxing freeway cruiser. I have yet to try the 5-speed auto version, which should rev lower at this speed. It's only rated 23mpg Highway - kinda wished they made 5th a real OD, and gotten it up to 25-26mpg.
If you need the 3rd row of seats or the 3.6L engine, I'd wait until then.
Let us know your comments and opinion on the car, it's interior, handling, styling, practicality and quality.
Did you cross shop the competiton first or did you just buy?
Any feedback would be great..
Thanks..
According to the specs on the reat seat, it has hip room of 44". That is barely wider than the rear seat of a Wrangler! I've sat in the back of a Wrangler, and I can tell you that two wide is all you want to put back there. The GV is advertised as a 5-seater.
Those of you who have seen it (or own it), just how is the rear seat room? Is it really meant for two? Would three kids fit okay back there? (By "kids" I mean a teen, a tweener, and a rather squigly 9-year old.)
I haven't been able to get to my local, friendly, neighborhood Suzuki dealer yet, so I don't know firsthand. Any information you could give me would be great! One of these days I'll actually make it to the dealer...
Thanks,
--Dan
Bob
Regards,
kc5yti :shades:
I have to admit that I am leery of buying a Suzuki due to questions regarding build quality, reliability and resale. The warranty helps sooth some of these concerns. Also, I have been reading that while Suzuki is a weak player in the US, they are trying to strengthen their position here and they are relatively strong in other parts of the world. I am not a world traveler, but I have just come back from a vacation in Europe, which included some time spent in the Swiss Alps.
In that steep and often snowy area, I was interested to note that the two most popular Japanese brands appeared to be Subaru and Suzuki, as there were Suzuki SUVs (including GVs and other smaller models not available here) running all over the place. Since the Swiss tend to be meticulous, this makes me feel a little better. Also interesting, I had my first road sighting of a new GV while I was in a remote area of Serbia in the former Yugoslavia (of all places). It looked sharp and better in real life than the photos I have seen.
Since my wife already has a Subaru, I'm thinking a Suzuki may be a good addition to our stable. I'd love another Subie, but I need something with a little more off road capability for my job, which occasionaly takes me on rutted trails and through stream crossings. For the time being, I'll be watching these boards to see what kind of feedback will be provided by new owners.
I thought it was a truckload of RAV4s from a distance, the old ones.
If i experence anything else i shall post for better or worse.
my 2 cents
I got mine from World Imports Ontario, California and I got it for $200.00 BACK of invoice. Also got a $500.00 rebate, sidsteps, factory alarm, and trailer hitch at cost, plus free oil changes for a year. that is the best deal that I could find anywhere.
I went strait to the fleet department and got a quote. So far, the Suzuki is excellent. I really enjoy driving it and find myself making excuses to go somewhere. What I like best is the handling, and the 5-speed auto is SWEET. The 4-wheel LOW with locking center diff is awesome. I also like the fact that the engine uses a timing chain instead of a timing belt. Plus, this is a true front-engine rear-drive vehicle, and not a front-wheel drive car converted to four-wheel drive. Can't wait to drive it to Vegas. Suzuki has a home-run with the new Grand Vitara.
I definetely recommend the truck. On the freeway, it feels like your riding on rails. Very precise, stable and quiet. Interior is just all around quality. Easy to use controls. Engine is ok and did not feel underpowered. Space is great and I didnt feel cramped like I was on a Liberty. Center of gravity is lower and I didnt have the tipping sensation as I did with the Liberty. Visibility is great and I didnt have to strain to see anything on the road. Lots of safety features. The $29k Jeep Liberty 3.7 Limited I test drove didn't even come with side or curtain airbags =(.
Definitely get one. It's a winner all around.
Today I saw a silver Grand Vitara wrecked by the side of the freeway. Since it was introduced just recently, it must have been only a few months old. Nearby I saw a pre 95 Lincoln Town Car with it's front slightly damaged in. The Grand Vitara was off the highway with it's doors and front all bashed. The Town Car definitely did much better in the crash. Good old American iron!
Quite a shame, a new vehicle and irreparably damaged already.
Thought maybe you Grand Vitara owners might be interested in knowing how it fared in a crash.
alpha
I'm just stating what I saw. If you don't like my post, don't read it. IF GV owners dont like it they dont need to read it.
I really could care less about how the occupants of either car felt.
I only posted that because I dont think I have ever seen such a new model car already damaged.
With only 52 posts on this discussion, there are probably only like 3 owners. The rest of us just follow up on the vehicle, and my message isn't to offend anyone (although apparently people like you take it a different way).
Please accept my apologies if I caused you emotional damage or whatever. :sick: