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Comments
courtesy of The Toronto Star
March 20, 1999
New Grand Vitara brings Suzuki back into the mainstream.
Suzuki has an honourable history of making rugged little sport-utes that could use
more power. Now, with a V6 under the hood of the all-new Grand Vitara, the
problem is solved.
Suzukis and I go back a long way. My first contact was with an SJ410 Samurai
over 15 years ago. Equipped with a buzzy 1.0 L engine and a four-speed manual
transmission, the vehicle was woefully inappropriate for cruising North American
highways. But it sure was tough.
Soon after, Suzuki brought us a revised Samurai, the SJ413. It was wider, rode a
bit more smoothly and was motivated by a bulletproof 1.3 L engine - backed this
time with an overdrive tranny - that still lacked power.
Fast-forward to 1990, when I had a sneak preview of what would be the four-door
Sidekick. Its 80 hp still wasn't enough. In 1992, computerized fuel injection brought
power up to 95 hp - into the realm of the barely adequate. Although it lacked the
snap and the reserves we Canadians prefer, the Sidekicks in both convertible and
four-door format were charming vehicles that defined their class.
My university-bound son Rob drove a JLX four-door and loved it.
With other manufacturers rushing into the sport-cute class, Suzuki made a valiant,
but foolish, attempt to maintain top spot in 1996 with the Sidekick Sport.
Richly equipped and gussied up with plastic cladding, the Sport lost the purity of
the original. And although it was certainly enthusiastic enough, the 1.8 L 120 hp
four filled the cabin with racket.
At the same time, Japan, the U.K. and other drive-on-the-left countries received an
otherwise-identical Vitara Sport equipped with a 2.0 L V6. A good friend in
Bermuda owns one and it is both quiet and quick.
For 1999, Suzuki brings the V6 and Vitara nameplate to North America and takes
up the challenge again with an all-new double-downsized sport-utility - a direct
replacement for the Sidekick Sport - dubbed the Grand Vitara.
The styling works. Gone is the endearingly clunky but dated look of the Sidekick.
The shape is now aeroform and modern. On the Grand Vitara, the luxo touches of
colour-keyed plastic cladding and wheel opening flares are still with us. But the
solid stance and tall greenhouse have also been preserved and the
adventuresome, purposeful spirit of the original four-door Sidekick has resurfaced.
I'd call it handsome. But those of a certain age and gender will likely see plenty of
cute in it.
Suzuki has also introduced a less grand Vitara - built in Ingersoll alongside the
similar Chevrolet Tracker - powered by a 127 hp 2.0 L four. The Vitara and Tracker
are available in either two-door convertible or four-door hardtop versions.
A fully loaded Grand Vitara JLX with a five-speed manual lists at $26,495, with auto
it's $27,995. The less-loaded JX comes in at $23,495 and $24,995.
Although the successful combination of sleek and cute will likely sell a lot of
Suzukis, it is the Grand Vitara's quad-cam, 24-valve V6 engine - punched out to
2.5 L and delivering 155 hp and 160 lb-ft of torque - that will regain the coveted top
spot in the niche for the Japanese manufacturer.
Notwithstanding that the V6 has no competition, it is a marvel in its own right -
built with all the weight-trimming technologies that Suzuki has borrowed from its
motorcycle experience (thin wall this, hollow that). Performance with the
four-speed overdrive automatic is satisfying, at last.
The Vitara scoots through traffic, completes highway passing manoeuvres with
poise and displays a sense of self-assurance that no previous Suzuki 4x4 had.
Weather conditions during our test period eliminated the chance for normal
acceleration and fuel-use tests, but at the Car of the Year testing last fall, AJAC
recorded an official 0-100 km/h time of 10.7 seconds with a manual transmission.
Transport Canada fuel consumption estimates (automatic tranny) are 12.6 L/100
km in the city and 10.2 L/100 km on the highway.
What we did get to try during that period were all manner of snow and off-road
challenges. In these, the Vitara excelled. Four-wheel drive can now be engaged
on-the-fly up to 100 km/h. But what you are engaging remains a simple direct-drive
system which, for my money, still out-performs sophisticated full-time
systems.
I tried hard to get stuck, but failed. Avoidance manoeuvres on a snow-packed
parking lot again revealed the worth of four-wheel ABS - providing you know how to
use it. Mumbling along in low range on an icy and convoluted off-road trail proved
to me that the latest Suzuki has lost none of the wilderness talents made famous
by its predecessors.
And, with that, I should point out that the Grand Vitara remains the only true 4x4
truck in its class aside from the two-door-only Jeep TJ. The others - Honda CR-V,
Toyota RAV4, Subaru Forester - are cars with truck-like bodywork. The Vitara
continues to use a separate body joined to a full boxed ladder frame. Ladder
frames are both blessing and curse. They're strong and durable, but they flex and
twist.
The flexing directs some of the torsion to the body structure, creating creaks -
ultimately rattles and misalignment of panels - and it plays hob with the engineers'
attempts to tune the suspension. Earlier Suzuki 4x4s fell prey to both of these.
But the designers, apparently with an eye to the Third World, steadfastly
maintained that the vehicle's off-road skills were due in part to the frame's
flexibility.
I didn't buy that. I felt that the previous models' road-going behaviour and body
integrity were being compromised in favour of unpaved travel. Which leaves me in a
quandary. I'm one of few folks who go off-roading and, when I do, I'd like
it to be in something as capable as a Suzuki. My son spends a lot of time
bad-roading and I'd like him to be in something that handles predictably.
On the Grand Vitara, the cabin structure is rigid and isolated from the frame's
motions, eliminating squeaks, creaks and wear. Remarkably, this frame does
seem to work in concert with the MacPherson struts up front and the well-located
coil-sprung solid axle at the back. As a result, the newest compact 4x4 provides
competent handling both on and off the road.
I'm a believer.
Suzuki gets one of my gold stars.
Freelance journalist Cam McRae, who writes on light trucks
and vans, prepared his assessment based on long driving
experiences in a Grand Vitara supplied by Suzuki Canada.
I have 10,000 miles on my GV. It replaced a 1995 Jimmy because I simply was fed up with General Motors and wanted to stay away from anything related to them. However, the GV behaves exactly like the Jimmy it replaced because the engine to weight ratio is identical. It also tows 3,000 pounds with ease even though the North American rating is 1,500 pounds (it's rated at 4,000 everywhere else). Best of all, it has a strong V6 engine, a weight distribution of 53% front 47% rear (it rarely spins rear wheels even in heavy rain in 2WD), and is an absolute breeze to park. Lastly, at 10,000 miles I am getting 23 to 24 miles per gallon in mixed highway / city / and rush hour driving. Never got that from a Jimmy.
Hope this helps.
Howard
vehicle's are operating as designed. I guess they
are saying the vibration is a design element. ???
Who knows? If I were you I would file for buyback
on the second one, but ask for a refund this time.
You would not be the first person that has
received buyback on the second vehicle.
I have spent a lot of time driving a Porsche Boxster and I own a Volvo 850 turbo wagon, both cars are very enjoyable (and different). Even when compared to them I still think the Suzuki GV is a very good vehicle.
As for is the GV safe...check out http://www.hwysafety.org. That's the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety. They've tested the GV and rated it "Acceptable". That's a misnomer, however, as it is the second-best rating. The GV was bested in crash tests only by the Jeep Wrangler and the Subaru Forester, the only small SUV to achieve a "Good" rating from the institute. Aside from that, the GV is a solid little trucklet. Both Automobile Mag and C/D took GVs through the long haul with zero problems (but not necessarily zero complaints, especially the folks at Automobile).
Happy motoring!
This is the best deal I've found. Any comments? Worth the gamble?
bob
Grand Vitara owners. You are welcome to subscribe.
Only you can do is just send an email to
[email protected] with blank
subject and message and then you are automatically
subscribed. You can click www.egroups.com and
see for yourself.
Good Luck and enjoy this mailing list.
Does anyone know if there's a good way to disable one or both of the airbags? Is this something I can legally insist on? I have four kids I'd like to be able to haul in this thing, but I don't want to put one in the front seat next to the bomb in the dash.
bob
why I just purchased this vehicle - a reliable 4WD mechanism that does not depend on AWD computers, fluids, etc..
Quite frankly, by the nature of the question, you should also follow the owner's manual to a tee about engaging the 4WD periodically (I hope it says this, I scanned it briefly but found it pretty lacking). You will find any 4WD vehicle very costly to maintain if not maintained properly. Don't worry about short distances on dry pavement - you need to engage all gears, high and low, in 4WD, once a month, to maintain it - be sure to engage reverse as well in 4WD.
Question: Has anyone installed an aftermarket power sunroof yet? How about the CD changer - it's been 2 weeks and my dealer still can't give me the proper cable to connect the radio to the unit (Clarion changed their fitting '99 to '00)?
I'm beginning to be concerned about potential dealer problems - they don't know anything about this vehicle.
Grand Vitara owners. You are welcome to subscribe.
Only you can do is just send an email to
[email protected] with blank
subject and message and then you are automatically
subscribed. You can click www.egroups.com and
see for yourself.
Good Luck and enjoy this mailing list.
What we have done to rectify this problem is replacing the rear differential. Sometimes all you need is a wheel alignment. In some cases it has been the fault of the tires. On the latter two problems you should bring it in for service before your 20,000km is up or they won't cover it under your basic warranty. Hope this helps.
As for the shimmy in the steering, I didn't even realize this was actually a problem, (Stupid Me, i guess) I have noticed it sometimes, but it seems to associated to the condition of the road more than to the truck itself, Also, I've notice that they shimmy seems to subside after I've driven the truck for a while.
Some other neat information, The Factory stereo is pretty good, but the speakers really suck, I replaced all 4 of the speakers with much better after market speakers and the sound is much better, there still isn't much bass, but that's more because of the design of the rear-roof speaker locations than it is the fault of the head unit. Overall I really like my truck. By the way, I check the Yokohama tire web site and they claim not to have the Geolander in the GV size but tirerack seems to have them, isn't that courious?
There was talk on a "movement" with the NHTSA to get the problem rectified en masse... any progress? I'm pretty sure this hasn't been discussed any further, but in case I missed it, my apologies.
So... anyone have an answer?
Currently I have the stock tires 235-60R16. I want to up-size them to the tallest and widest tires I can put on is.
Any thoughts as to how big I can go without the tires rubbing?
Jimmy
[6'5" (36 inseam)]
wish helpful
Weiwei71
power sunroof yet? How about the CD changer
Yes, 1999 GV for $995.00 had Hollandia TVS Moon roofs Tilt Vent & Slide installed. They also have for $695.00 installed Hollandia Emerald. see
http://lawrenceautotrim.com/sun.htm
I found a photo of an '99 GV installed with ASC840 sunroof.
http://langsautoaccessories.com/whatnew/installs/vitara.htm
A 6-disc CD changer is available at http://www.glav.com Clarion CDC635 from Great Lakes Audio Video Inc for $185.00
Good Luck
in our 2000 (limited) gv, just got it yesterday night and it is sweet! I have gotten a load of info off this website to aid me in considering
which mini-suv we would buy. I have been searching and going from dealer to dealer looking for a good deal for over a year, it finally paid off! we got a 2000 white limited gv with 15,000 miles for a great price and $2000.00 trade for our 1987 honda accord with 192,000 miles on it.
It rides really smooth and the wife loves it, initially she was not to crazy about the JLX+ cloth like interior, but when she saw the leather inside the limited, she smiled and said "this is really nice". We also opted for the 6/year or 75,000 mile warranty which the wife also liked. Over all this was worth the wait. we are excited and fired up! I hope this helps some of you who are still trying to figure out what to buy, just compare prices, and saftey along with engine power. We love our mini-SUV. good luck.
Testing drove tracker, GV, CRV. Don't like RAV4 for its high price and look. Won't consider rangler and cherokee classic due to their outdated shape or too wild shape.
Has to admit that CRV scores higher than GV for out major purpose for the following items: rear seat leg room, luggage room, and those tiny but considerable design. For example, they use the sink, which used to hold the spare tire of civic (CRV was design from civic), as a cooler, and reshape the cover as the foldable picnic table. What a simple but tremendous design. I still have to admit it that Honda is quite good at those tiny comfort design although I was wondering how to get the water out of the sink?
While everything counts favorate CRV instead of price. CRV is so popular here that not a single one can last for more than one week. But my GV was there for more than one and half month (At least this is the time I saw). Now I know there was a big chance for big saving. As the new year model pushing in, the dealer's patience is lost.
What I got finally is about $5500 difference from the CRV after considering the finance. That is about 25% total value! What I have got is essential a vehicle that fit my requirement plus ability to go offroad (I may try once in the future just since it can do that). Think about what you can do with $5500. The tail and roof rack can conpensate the storage insufficience; $500 is going to cover the difference of the MPG saving; $1000 back up the disadvantage of suzuki reliability verse honda if extended warrenty is not a choice. You still save a lot! The only thing is the rear seat leg room. But just as the CRV salesman asked me how often I went offroad, I would ask How Often to have people sit back for a two people family? Don't even mension they still could sit in unless they have to.
Car purchase is difficult. My opinion is don't buy the car you want! Try an alternative. You won't regret the money you saved. In addition, there always another way to get Rome!
Weiwei71
There is a eGroups mailing list for the Suzuki
Grand Vitara owners. You are welcome to subscribe.
Only you can do is just send an email to
[email protected] with blank
subject and message and then you are automatically
subscribed. You can click www.egroups.com and
see for yourself.
Good Luck and enjoy this mailing list.
As for the Vibration concerns.
My truck did have the vibration problem as well, but I found that one of the tires had a severely different inflation pressure than the other three, after I evened out the pressure and rotated the tires to vibration has all but dissappeared. I'll keep you posted if the vibration comes back.
by the way, mine is a 2000 model 4x4 with a five speed transmission and the alloy wheels.
FYI - I just had a 1999 Suzuki GV JLX+ automatic 4x4. I had 2 MAJOR accidents in it. Over $6,000 in damage each time. Plus each repair took over a month each to get parts replaced. My steering wheel was off center too and it did shimmy at high speeds. Both accidents were due to spinning out of control on wet & snowy roads. Both times I was doing well under the speed limit to be cautious because of weather and have never had an accident before in my 14 years of driving. Don't get me wrong, I too LOVED my truck, but this is just a warning to be VERY careful on wet roads. It is a very light vehicle with not the greatest of traction or control.
Chris Murphy
Does anyone have any ideas why this would happen? I don't go off-road, I don't have four-wheel drive or ABS and I have an automatic transmission. I noticed several months ago that the vehicle was slipping and sliding on wet pavement, and when going over dry railroad tracks or bumps.
I really love the vehicle otherwise but have had the same problem with the recirculation lever sliding out of place. I wish the seats had lumbar support.
Yes, the shimmy and off center steering wheel were there before the first accident. I am guessing it was around 20,000 that it started. I didn't think much about it and I'm not sure if it had anything to due with the accidents.
The first accident was in the snow. We bought new tires after that thinking it might have been bad tires, but the second and worse accident was in the rain with new tires. It seemed as if it was a traction problem. It seemed as if the front end would skid if the road was wet no matter what speed I went.
After watching the NBC special on SUV safety this past week, I think I may go with a front wheel drive car. Good luck getting your repairs done properly.
Doreen
Nuisance defect was hard to fix: driver side window sticking. Took 4 trips to dealers....
Other than that... GREAT
I am not from the U.S. so I personally can’t lodge a complaint with NHTSA. If you go to http://www.nhtsa.com/cars/problems/complain/compmmy1.cfm you can search for any complaints already listed. There are many for the Tracker and Vitara. I don’t know if they have done any investigation into the problems.
To queeniexo,
One of the biggest complaints owners of Tracker/Vitara’s have is the vibration and tire wear. Then you watch the Dateline special and you really have to wonder just how safe are you. I would be very specious of your first accident, as a light truck they can have a traction problem in the rear end, not the front. I really wouldn’t want one without the 4x4 option and drive it with caution. Handling can be quite unpredictable if the alignment of your wheels or vehicle structure is off even a small degree, even with new tires.
To bjflorida,
This is a command occurrence with these vehicles and one that could prove to be a dangerous one. You have a serious alignment problem if you tires have gone bald on the inside with in 20000 miles. The experience you are having when going over the railroad tracks is commonly called, bump steer. This is something that an ill repaired collision vehicle gets. Your tires are wearing because they are fighting to go in another direction. When you hit the bump the tire goes up and off the ground. As it is in the air it can now relax and when you come down the tires are pointing in another direction and this causes the vehicles poor handling. Get it checked out now before you end up in a position like queeniexo. Mine was doing the same thing on the driver’s front tire and had that ugly vibration and shaking problem. The wheels were aligned but it didn’t solve the problem. The handling of the vehicle is just disgusting. GM has my vehicle right now and is trying to resolve the problem. When I get it back I will let you know what they did to correct it, if they do.
thanks for the information, I really appreciate you sharing your knowledge. I only wish I had read your response before I let my son take my GV tonight to his high school homecomming dance. I've already contacted the service department - got an appointment Monday. Do you have any recommendations for tires for my RWD automatic that never goes off-road. No snow, just rain. THANKS!