Suzuki Grand Vitara; Review

 

Sales statistics could well be seen as boring reading material, but the data which lists vehicle sales in this country is a good way of finding out current trends in terms of what is selling and what isn't.

Since the alarming rise in fuel costs, it's interesting to see that four-wheel-drive sales are dropped substantially, especially pre-owned imports, well those with larger engine capacity anyway, the only redemption is that Toyota's RAV4 and Honda's CRV still command pretty good share.

The RAV4, especially, has long been regarded as one of the most popular import models, in three-door form especially, and it's easy to see why. It has funky styling, it is simple to operate and is generally pretty good value.

Also it has had little in the way of competition; that is, until now. For $25,500 you can buy new, Suzuki's new Grand Vitara range includes an entry-level three-door model that mirrors the RAV4 concept, it is permanently engaged into four-wheel-drive, there's no low ratio transfer case, it looks trendy, and even though it is only a four-seater, it is functional and practical.

Regular readers will relate to the affection I had for the range-topping Grand Vitara V6 which I evaluated in these columns in December last year, the short-wheelbase doesn't deliver quite the same dynamism, but it is a rather likeable small-to-medium SUV.

Finished with the same rounded styling cues as its stablemates, the three-door Grand Vitara is fresh both outside and in. A modern mixture of black and grey interior cloth is used, the layout of the interior is fashionable and appealing.

Fitted as standard are air conditioning, electric windows, tilt-adjustable steering column, central locking with remote, variable intermittent wipers and single-CD audio with steering wheel-mounted controls. For safety the four-seater gets dual air bags up front and ABS works on a front disc/rear drum set-up. The brakes offer controlled retardation with a strong, feeling pedal.

Under the bonnet sits a 1.6-litre engine, and while it is a long way distant to the greater displacements of Toyota and Honda's offering, it is still a feisty engine which hauls 1425kg along honestly. I stepped out of the V6 five-door and straight into its smaller sibling and immediately wondered if the small four-cylinder would be adequate, but after 260km I was left well satisfied.

The twin-overhead-camshaft, 16-valve unit produces 78kW at 5900rpm and 145Nm at 4100rpm. Neither of these outputs are high, and the engine does need to work the top end a bit to utilise the torque curve, but coupled to some reasonably low gearing that is easy and there is enough flexibility to cope with all driving conditions.

The three-door is a manual gearbox only model and the five-speeder has light accurate direction across the gate. Second gear was a bit sticky in the test car, as was the clutch, it had only done 1200km when I picked it up, suggesting there was a little bit of freeing up to do. Otherwise, the Grand Vitara is an easy drive. It has a high and upright driving position with good vision out all directions. Response to accelerator request is immediate, although the 1.6-litre model won't set any speed records, it is a bit slow to 100kmh, reaching that speed from a standstill in 12.5sec and 8.6sec, to make 120kmh from 80kmh is struggling a little but, nevertheless, there are benefits in other areas and one of those is it's ability when sealed roads run out.

I took the test car up the myriad of dirt roads which follow the Waimakariri River inland. This is where the Grand Vitara is in its element. It has brilliant suspension travel with just the right amount of firming to balance steering control and is yet supple enough to keep occupants comfortable when corrugations and ruts are at their worst.

Bear in mind that the new generation Vitara has a flash new fully independent suspension. Gone is the old live rear axle, the new rear end is a multi-link set-up with a traditional strut system up front.

The short-wheelbase model is a little livelier underneath than what I found in the V6, and if it was just a rear-drive only model I would suspect that oversteer would be quite accessible in low grip situations. But Suzuki have addressed that by making the model permanently engaged in a 47:53 front/rear power split.

I was impressed with the generous approach and departure angles of 29deg and 36deg respectively, and with a 200mm ground clearance it can be directed at some pretty challenging terrain.

Grip is supplied through street-treaded Bridgestone Dueler tyres down an inch from the V6 five-door Limited at 225/70 x 16in. However, they are a quiet tyre and afford reasonable grip in the dirt. My testing time was dry and dusty, but they did cope well with a wet sandy/rocky mix when I tacked an easy river braid ford.

It's not likely those who buy a three-door model will test greatly Grand Vitara's off-the-beaten-track performance, but it does have good capability when necessary, it is also an easy highway traveller, quiet and economical, even with the engine turing over busy at 3400rpm at 100kmh in fifth, a legacy of the short gearing. Suzuki claim nine litres usage per 100km on a combined rural/urban cycle. That equates to around 31mpg, which by my reckoning, given the little amount of fuel which disappeared from the 55-litre tank during testing time, would be about right.

If I was buying a $20K-plus mini-SUV I'd find it hard to look at anything other than the Grand Vitara. It isn't perfect, the big doors are a hurdle and the long reach for the seat belt is a nuisance, but there's a three-year, 100,000km warranty and roadside assistance plan to look at, and its state-of-the-art styling and engineering must make it very tempting.

Specification:

Price: Suzuki Grand Vitara, $25,500.

Dimensions: Length, 4005mm; width, 1810mm; height, 1695mm.

Configuration: Four cylinder longitudinal, four-wheel-drive, 1586cc, 78kW/5900rpm, 145Nm/4100rpm, five-speed manual.

Performance: 0-100kmh, 12.5sec.