Suzuki Grand Vitara DDiS 2008 review

The heritage goes way back to those lightweight LJ machines of the 1970s. These were no-nonsense vehicles of rare ability. Less weight and less bulk allowed four-wheel-drive Suzukis to drive where bigger off-roaders often foundered.

This ability continues through to the new century and, while the Suzuki line-up is now a little more extensive and a little more civilised, that off-road ability remains. For today's Suzukis are a throw-back to the days when a four-wheel drive meant a robust off-road machine.

The issue has been confused in the past by soft-roaders — machines with some ground clearance and drive to four wheels (via varying methods) but no low range and a bias towards on-road comfort rather than off-road prowess.

Suzuki's Grand Vitara, the five-door wagon, has continued with an honest approach to the business of off-roading, continuing with a two-speed transfer case and some decent ability for running down beaches, slogging through mud or climbing over rocks.

It is a compact four-wheel drive not always challenged by the newer crop of SUVs when the tracks get rough.

To add to the Vitara's credentials there is now a diesel engine option. This gives the Suzuki extra character and clout in this part of the market.

Now, for some drivers, the Vitara's 1.9-litre diesel engine, with five-speed manual only, may give the Suzuki too much trucking character.

For others, the sounds and flexibility of this turbocharged diesel will add to the “go-anywhere, anytime” flavour of the wagon. Sourced from Renault, the common rail four-cylinder manages 95kW at 3750rpm and 300Nm of torque at 2000rpm. These are not big figures for a 1.6-tonne machine yet, even if it takes 13 seconds to get from standstill to 100km/h, the Suzuki is a comfortable cruiser.

The factory claims a very decent 7.6 litres/100km on the combined cycle and for most ordinary commutes it should stay below 10 litres/100km.

There are the sounds and extra vibrations of a diesel when the Suzuki is fired up; some vibrations may remain, giving off a little tizz through the likes of the gear shift, or hard objects in cubbyholes at times. This, for some, is a welcome sign that there is some substance to the wagon.

The Suzuki has a comfortable and most usable cabin, a fine combination of design and materials which will not confuse users. Along with the usual array of CD/FM/stereo, airconditioning and power windows there are six airbags for secondary safety.

Primary road safety is aided by the Vitara's full-time four-wheel drive, ABS, stability and traction control. This adds up to a handy package, a compact wagon with good town manners and four-wheel driveability with the bonus of a diesel engine. Maybe it's not as quick off the mark as a startled bandicoot but with a little practice at keeping the engine in the power/torque band — between 2500rpm and 3500rpm — the Vitara is not disgraced on the open road.

Off road there is the advantage of the extra set of lower gear ratios which, allied with the lug of the diesel, makes for a decent crawler. Changes from four high to four-high locked to four-low locked are made with a centre console switch; there is also a neutral spot here for those who may like to tow the Vitara behind the motorhome.

The Suzuki's gearing around town is not perfect — second gear feels too tall and will not lug around on low revs as well as it could. The gearbox on this particular wagon was also a little notchy; for some drivers there may be a macho comfort in feeling those lumps of cogs down below.

Yet for many these “truck-like” qualities add character to a well-credentialled vehicle.