2004 Suzuki Grand Vitara Reviews

Based on our experience, the best towing vehicle is either a full-size 4x4 ute or wagon with a turbo-diesel engine and automatic transmission.

Graham Smith reviews the used 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011 and 2012 Suzuki Grand Vitara, their fine points, flaws and what to watch for when you are buying them.

June 30 is D-Day. The end of the financial year is the best time to buy a new car because there are always special deals in showrooms. As carmakers and dealers aim to clear their outdated stock, Toyota uses a June push to cement its showroom leadership. Some of the special deals are on cars that have done demonstrator duty, or were built in 2012, or are just not selling as well as expected. So they're not the tastiest fruit in the bowl.But there is great buying across the board as demand for new cars fuels one of the longest growth periods in motoring. The bottom line is that you can save money -- and lots of it. So here's a look at the June sales, with Carsguide's assessment of the best deals on wheels.CITROENThe new importer is pushing hard so the Aircross SUV starts at $31,990 drive-away front-wheel drive or $33,990 with AWD, a saving of $3800. There's $5000 off the C4 Seduction turbo diesel auto hatch at $25,990. Carsguide says: The Aircross isn't great, but the C4 discount is tasty.FORDThe death notice for the Falcon and Territory has not helped buyer confidence but a 2.9 per cent finance push on Fiesta and Focus still looks good. The superseded Kuga SUV from $31,990 drive-away is a $10,000 saving. You can save about $3000 on a 2012 Escape SUV from $27,990 drive-away.The Territory gets a $6500 tickle, the TX seven-seater at $38,490 drive-away (third-row seat usually costs $2500). The impressive Mondeo liftback starts at $29,990. Good buying on Falcons, thanks to the arrival of the VF Commodore, from $33,990 and better if you haggle.HOLDENAs the VF Commodore creates queues, the outgoing Z-Series starts at $34,990 with five years' warranty and roadside assist. That also applies to the SV6 at $35,990 and the Cruze SRi and SRi-V at $23,490 and $26,990. Last year's Barina CD hatches are $15,990 drive-away with a sunroof. The Colorado is $39,990. Hard to see past the excellent Cruze SRi.HONDAClipped prices and free on-roads. The City VTi sedan is $17,990 and the (slightly) more lavish VTi-L automatic version starts at $21,990. The bigger Civic sedan is being cleared from $21,990. Free auto on the Jazz VTi at $19,990. The Civic is worth a look at $2500 off.KIAFree on-roads, discounts and $1000 gift vouchers on many models. A five-door Rio S is about $3K off at $15,990 drive-away with a $500 gift card; the three-door Rio is $14,990 and the five-door Si is $18,990. Runout Cerato TD sedans start at $17,990 for the S, saving about $5000, the Si sedan is $23,990 and hatch at $17,990. All get a $1000 gift card. Cerato SLi and SLS have drive-away pricing but miss the gift card. All Optimas have free on-roads. A 2012-build Optima Platinum is $37,990, saving about $4000 with a $1000 gift card. Most Sportage SUVs include on-roads and a $1000 gift card. Carnival and superseded Rondo pricing is drive-away. The Sportage diesel and Optima are top-notch.MITSUBISHIThe manual Lancer gets an old-school value pack on the Special Action Model for $19,990 drive-away. The Mirage is $12,990 drive-away for the ES manual, with a $500 cash-back that also applies to the auto.Driveaway prices also for the compact ASX at $24,990 for the 2WD manual, the Outlander LS 2WD auto at $29,990, Pajero GLX-R auto at $54,990 or $59,990 for VRX. Both come plus $3000 cash-back, saving about $6000.The Triton ute is now tackling Great Wall from China at $19,990 drive-away for a GL single-cab 2WD with alloy tray, or add luxury for a GLX dual-cab 4WD diesel at $31,990 drive-away with $2000 cash-back, saving about $14,000. The utes look good at those prices.NISSANA 2.9 per cent finance package, with agreed value after three years, makes the Pulsar ST sedan look good at $49 a week or $19,990 drive-away. The X-Trail ST 2WD petrol manual cops a $4000 reduction to $25,990 drive-away, while the Navara RX 4WD dual-cab manual is cheaper than ever with a $9500 cut to $30,990 drive-away. The Pulsar sedan deal is attractive.OPELThere are drive-away deals across the range. The basic Corsa is down by about $2500 to $16,990 drive-away, the Astra is from $22,990 drive-away for the 1.4-litre turbo petrol hatch with three years of free servicing, saving about $5500. The top-line Insignia sedan is from $39,990 drive-away with heated leather seats. The Astra is easily best of this breed.PEUGEOTFree on-roads at Peugeot on most models but not the cool new 208. The 4008 SUV cops a $1500 saving from $29,990 drive-away and there are deals on the outgoing 4007. Nothing to see here.RENAULTA Koleos from $26,990 drive-away looks even better with interest-free finance. The Megane hatch is from $22,990 drive-away with finance pegged at 1.9 per cent. The slow-selling Fluence and Latitude sedans are available with 2.9 per cent finance. The Megane CC convertible goes from $43,990 including on-roads. The sporty Clio RS is from $34,990 drive-away and the hotrod Megane RS has 2.9 per cent finance.Commercial deals start with the short-wheelbase Kangoo petrol manual with dual sliding doors from $20,990 drive-away, moving up to the Trafic short-wheelbase manual for $29,990 and the long-wheelbase manual for $32,990, while the Master large van starts from $46,990 drive-away. There's a five-year/200,000km warranty on all light commercials ordered in June. Hard to argue against a $3000 bonus on the Koleos but stocks are tight.SUBARUDrive-away pricing -- for savings of $3000 to $4000 -- is the bait, with Impreza pricing from $23,990 (excluding the WRX, of course). The Tribeca from $54,990 now includes on-roads but you need to visit a dealer to get the full story. Nothing outstanding.SUZUKIThe front-drive SX4 gets a Navigator pack with voice-controlled 6.6-inch satnav with Bluetooth for $19,990 drive-away for the manual and $21,990 auto. That also applies to the 2WD auto Grand Vitara at $29,990 drive-away, including reversing camera and satnav with Bluetooth. The Alto GL manual also gets satnav for $11,990 drive-away for the manual, with the Swift GL manual at $17,490 drive-away including cruise control and Bluetooth. The Grand Vitara is a polished piece.TOYOTAThere's 2.9 per cent finance on Aurion and Camry with the Camry Altise looking best at $29,990 drive-away. Other drive-away deals include $15,990 for the Yaris YR five-door, $21,490 for the Corolla Ascent automatic, $39,990 for the Kluger KX-R 2WD five-seater, $60,990 for the Prado GXL turbo diesel auto and $39,990 for the HiLux SR 4WD dual-cab ute. The right time for the cabbies' new favourite, the frugal hybrid Camry.VOLKSWAGENDrive-away pricing on passenger cars and zero finance on commercials. The Polo is $16,990 on-road, the Jetta is down to $25,990 and the Passat $36,690. The Polo is Carsguide's 2010 COTY.VOLVOFuel and servicing for three years or 60,000km plus roadside assistance. There are conditions -- with a pre-paid BP card based on 15,000km a year and $1.50 a-litre pricing -- and the latest V40 hatch is excluded. Clever twist on bargaining but a pity it doesn't apply to the V40.Paul Gover's 10 COMMANDMENTSYou must still do your homework. You must still check the fine print. You must still be prepared to haggle and compromise.But do it right, crunching the numbers and running right to the dealer's deadline, and you can drive away in something special at a special price.The starting point is all the deals, from sticker specials to cheap finance and steak knife-style free extras, being offered by most of the 60-plus brands in showrooms today.If something you want is on special, go for it. But check that the car was built in 2013, and is not a geriatric old-timer from 2012, and ensure your target is exactly what you want - not a stripped-out stocker, perhaps missing an automatic gearbox - that will cost thousands to get the way you want it.Once you lock down a target, don't think the advertised special is the end of the deal. You also need to negotiate for a better price on delivery and on-road costs, and avoid the trap of buying over-priced extras such as paint and upholstery protection, window tinting and extra-long warranties.No-one can expect to go into the ring with a showroom professional and expect to win, because buyers only get a new car occasionally and sales staff are dealing every day. But, by concentrating on the real bottom line - the changeover price - and being prepared to compromise, you can come out ahead.The best tips are the simplest. Run as close as you can to June 30 to sign the deal and get the car, because dealers are all aiming for targets that can mean tens of thousands in bonus money from headquarters. Also be prepared to take a car they have in stock, even if it's not your favourite colour, because dealers are aiming to clear everything they have on the lot.And have your finance in place before you arrive, especially if you're taking up a special deal, because that makes things quicker and you'll also be spared any hassle and potential extra costs.Watch out for 2012 cars because the warranty clock has already been running, don't forget that a big discount today will also mean less at changeover time, and remember that a demonstrator car could have had a hard life already. 

Sales of little soft-roaders have grown faster than any new vehicle segment in our overcrowded new-car market.Last year there were just over 60,000 small SUVs sold, up 53 per cent on 2011. The category parameters have changed and now some models previously considered compact are classified as medium. But sales of the smallest SUVs have increased for the past three consecutive years.The appeal lies in several attributes, not the least of which is in looking more adventurous than domesticated. There's the draw of fuel economy, though the reality is that certain of these models do not perform much better than the big cars they've supplanted.Then there is the versatility of the interior, the elevated driving position and the visibility it affords, and the perception of being unassailable by other road users.The three brands on this page argue about who started the soft-roader craze. Each has a worthy case.Toyota is synonymous with off-road passenger machinery that has a reputation for reliability and capability. The RAV4 introduced a suburban level of versatility to the Japanese brand when it lobbed here in 1996 (there was the Tercel and AWD Tarago before it, but let's not go there).The RAV had the look and lineage to carry off the compact SUV concept. With a new model not far from the showrooms there are bargains to be had in the outgoing vintage.Subaru's all-terrain wagon heritage harks back to the 1970s, when 1600cc (and, later, 1800cc) wagons with transfer cases and raised bellies showed you didn't need a big burly 4WD to get seriously off the beaten track. The Forester might not have retained the forebears' dual-range lever within the transmission console but the spirit remains.Another company with four decades of history in the realm of small, lightweight off-roaders is Suzuki. The original Jimny and Sierra lightweight 4WD wagons were tiny, nimble and bulletproof machines and the modern descendant the Grand Vitara has retained much of the off-road ability without succumbing to the soft-roader sookery.(Search for hundreds more choices) 2011 Toyota RAV4Engine: 2.4-litre 4-cyl petrolTransmission: 4-speed automaticThirst: 9.6L/100 CARSGUIDE SAYSThe dependable Toyota reputation offsets any styling shortfall. While not a rock-hopper like its LandCruiser big brother, it doesn't mind getting its wheels dirty. Dual airbags, descent and stability control, Bluetooth and USB connection are among the features.2009 Subaru Forester XS PremiumEngine: 2.5-litre 4-cyl boxer petrolTransmission: 4-speed automaticThirst: 9.6L/100km CARSGUIDE SAYSThe Forester has been a segment leader on sales volume and is one of the more versatile of the all-terrain brigade -- some models still have low range. The XS Premium has leather trim, sunroof, stability control, climate control, six airbags and rally-bred heritage.2009 Suzuki Grand Vitara WagonEngine: 2.4-litre 4-cyl petrolTransmission: 5-speed manualThirst: 8.9L/100km  CARSGUIDE SAYSThe brand builds bikes as well as being responsible for the original small off-roader. The Suzuki Grand Vitara has old-school 4WD and genuine off-road ability. Anything but a soft-roader, it's light and nimble off the beaten track and useful around town too.

Suzuki's Grand Vitara has always been something of a quiet achiever. Renowned for its off road ability, it has often put some of its larger more fancied rivals to shame in the rough stuff.Curious then that Suzuki should bow to contemporary tastes and deliver a two-wheel drive version of the five-seat wagon, albeit rear wheel drive. But then you've got to make a living somehow or other and this could be just what the doctor ordered? Suzuki's Tony Devers says the Grand Vitara has always been popular with drivers aged over 50 and research has shown the fast growing 35-49 year old market has a strong preference for 2WD.VALUEAt a driveaway price of $26,990 it makes for interesting reading. By removing the four wheel drive system Suzuki has effectively slashed the price of the wagon by $4500. And, if you don't care a jot about going off road or not that's going to make it super attractive. Standard features include cruise control, rear park assist, Bluetooth, electric windows, remote locking and three 12 volt outlets (two in the front and one in the cargo area).TECHNOLOGYThe Urban, like all petrol models, is offered exclusively with a 2.4-litre four-cylinder engine, paired with a five-speed manual or optional four-speed automatic. The latter adds $2000 to the price. The 2.4-litre engine is good for 122kW of power and 225Nm of torque from 4000 revs. The big point of difference between this and other two-wheel drive SUVs is that drive goes to the rear wheels in this one.DESIGNThe Grand Vitara has been around in its present form for a few years and it shows. There's a lot of old school stuff like a four speed auto, no reach adjust for the wheel and the trim and cabin plastics could not be described as lavish. A makeoever has seen the addition of a bold new face with a new grille and bumper and new wheels and seat fabrics plus two new colours - Gaia Bronze and Bison Brown.SAFETYOnly gets four out of five stars from ANCAP. But gets a full complement of safety systems including six airbags, anti-lock brakes, electronic brake distribution (EBD), brake assist system (BAS) as well as traction and electronic stability control.DRIVINGWhoa! A small car and relatively large engine makes for spirited performance. Put your foot down and the Urban takes off like a cut snake. But the tradeoff appears to be in fuel consumption because it's a thristy little bugger. Although rated at 9.9 litres/100km we were more than a little surprised to see it returning 11.2 litres/100km according to the trip computer. That was in just under 500km of mainly freeway driving.The funny thing is though it seemed to drop around town when you'd normally expect consumption to rise. Fitted with 16 inch steel wheels and 225/70 rubber, the ride from 16 in wheels and is firmish bordering on harsh at times but it sits flat in corners and there is very little body roll unlike most of the soft roaders. With only four cogs to play with it also hunts between third and fourth a bit, but not enough to be annoying.VERDICTLike it. Like it a lot. Nothing fancy, but it does what it does very well. Suzuki knows its stuff and at the price you can't go wrong.

Suzuki Australia has had ongoing demands to import two-wheel drive Grand Vitaras for many years. In recent times a proliferation of 2WD models has maintained SUVs as the fastest growing market segment around the world according to Suzuki. Now the company has done something about it and the Suzuki Grand Vitara 2WD, known as the Urban, is here.VALUEPriced from $28,990 driveaway, the Suzuki Urban 2WD automatic slots in to the mid range of Vitaras and offers plenty of bang for the bucks. The four-speaker audio system has a dash-mounted single-disc CD player, remote steering wheel-mounted controls, auxiliary input and Bluetooth connectivity.A high-resolution touch screen features an extensive infotainment platform, including AM/FM/CD radio, multi-media playback, Bluetooth hands-free connectivity and Garmin satellite navigation. The touch screen functions can be hard to operate under bumpy road conditions but there is voice control on offer to assist in switching between functions.The navigation system uses spoken-word guidance with street names, lane guidance, speed limits and current speed displays. Be wary of the displayed speed-limit figures as more than once on the test drive they did not tally with the actual limit. Also, be aware of temporary speed limits at roadworks; the car’s computer is unlikely to have information on them. Some very expensive cars have cameras that can read speed limit signs to avoid these problems, but this technology has yet to trickle down to affordable vehicles.TECHNOLOGYThe Urban comes with the same 2.4-litre four-cylinder petrol engine we have admired in the Grand Vitara 4WD for many years. It is matched to a five-speed manual transmission or optional four-speed automatic, the latter being fitted in our test vehicle. Power is put to ground via the rear wheels, not the fronts as in most ‘4WDs’ that are only driven by two wheels.The Suzuki digitally operated climate-control with particle filter aids comfort, even beyond the bitumen. That’s right, ‘beyond the bitumen’, because you don’t always need drive to all four wheels if you plan to run on dirt roads.DESIGNCompared with the long running 4WD Vitara the reworked front end features a new grille and bumper, two new colours – Gaia Bronze and Bison Brown – stylish new 17-inch alloy wheels and new seat fabrics. On the outside are halogen headlights, power door mirrors, rear window washer/wiper, rear parking sensors and roof rails. Absent are front foglamps, indicator lights on the door mirrors and a sunroof.Inside the passenger cabin the look is cheap but not nasty, with hard plastic surfaces and the extra comfort provided by cloth seats. The steering wheel has leather wrapping. Cruise control is handy on long country trips and the Urban has the convenience of power windows and remote door locks.SAFETYThe Grand Vitara Urban carries a full complement of active and passive safety features which include front, side and curtain airbags, anti-skid braking with emergency stopping systems, vehicle stability and traction control, plus hill descent and hill hold. Recently added to the set-up was a reversing camera that projects an image onto a 6.1-inch high-resolution touch screen.DRIVINGFuel consumption was disappointing for a four-cylinder SUV, particularly one without the weight and power sapping of an all-wheel-drive system. The best figure we obtained was 9.3 litres per 100 kilometres after some relatively easy running, while the worst was 11 litres per hundred kilometres.The reversing camera picture left a lot to be desired in poor outside light, thus putting the responsibility back onto the driver when it comes to making sure there’s nothing behind the vehicle. On the plus side, dust sealing of the passenger cabin was good, if not class leading, with some fine dust intrusion in harsh conditions. Passenger comfort generally was beyond that expected in an SUV of the Grand Vitara Urban’s price.VERDICTWith ever increasing use of SUVs as passenger station wagons we feel the new Suzuki Grand Vitara Urban will have no trouble filling sales lists in its class.

CarsGuide has assembled our top 10 motoring snow companions.

Unlike the magazine's 4WD Of The Year award, which only looks at vehicles that are new or significantly revised in that year, these annual accolades look at all the 4WDs on the market. In fact long-time champions dominate these awards but sometimes even long-time champs are forced to step aside. Best Value for Money

Now a three-door Suzuki Vitara is not for all. It is a smallish four-seater with limited luggage space if all seats are used.It may not be the first choice for covering long distances week in, week out.But at $25,000 the short Vitara is worth a long look as a daily commuter _ inexpensive to run, easy to park and still capable of a beach or bush weekend.For the Suzuki has a long and honourable four-wheel drive pedigree. It is built by a company with a long and honourable history in bolting together reliable machines.Exterior Current Vitaras are quite handsome vehicles. There are hints of a family heritage dating back to Suzuki's first Vitara in 1988.So the three-door is familiar yet manages to look fresh (even while this latest crop of Vitaras are largely style and mechanical updates to the 2005 versions).It is a no-nonsense, practical shape with just a polite hint of muscle that won’t scare the grannies. It is a sensible style _ if a little sexier than the five-door version _ that's practical in the scrub, tidy enough for town.Interior That line follows through to the cabin with decent ergonomics, sound system and air conditioning; instruments and controls are easily followed and there's good room for two up front, reasonable room (and access) for two behind.With the back seats up there's not a deal of space left in this short wheelbase machine, plenty for a day at the beach but maybe not for a week away for four. It is a compact compact.These rear seats do fold up and toward the front with ease, leaving a deal of cargo space. The spare wheel sits pretty on the tailgate.DrivetrainWhile there are some minor style change, including a flash new grille, it is the addition of a 2.4 litre, four-cylinder engine to the range that makes the biggest impact with the latest three-door Vitara.Allied to the five-speed manual gearbox, the 122kW motor is much handier than previous offerings. It is helped by variable valve timing and forever keen to have a go.All the while fuel consumption is averaging out around 9 litres per 100km. This will climb a little with sustained hard slogging _ up a soft sand track or through a boggy bush byway _ but this engine is generally quite thrifty.And the Vitara package is quite handy when road turns to track. The transmission runs all day in four-wheel drive but there is a four-high lock with centre differential locked, then a four-low range lock for more serious work.DrivingSuzukis are always willing little off-roaders, made handier here with the three-doors smaller body, shorter wheelbase plus better ramp-over and departure angles compared with bigger wagons.It is a nimble machine, whether dodging boulders or bollards; the three-doors advantage runs from tight parking spots to narrow bush tracks.It steers, rides and handles quite well. It is quieter than previous Vitaras, a little less edgy in the ride quality although for regular long trips the longer wheelbase five-door version would be a more comfortable option.It may not turn in, corner or hang on as deftly as a Suzuki Swift but the Vitara does not disgrace itself in the traffic. It is, with that 2.4 litre engine stirred, quite a decent point-to-point vehicle on a back road.So as a weekday run-around and weekend adventurer (for two) it is hard to ignore the three-door Vitara at this price. It is a value proposition with a good mix of on-road cred and off-road ability.Score: 71/100

Suzuki's original Grand Vitara was a bit like that kid. Considered by many to be too much of an underpowered lightweight to be a serious player in the dirt.But the kid has grown up and the Grand Vitara has matured into something desirable in the soft roader market.Suzuki has been working hard to give the Vitara a more vibrant image. Take a look at the Grand Vitara's sales brochure and you will only find one picture of someone middle aged or older.It's all about surfboards, camping, playing in the dirt or snow or heaven forbid, powering through salt water on a beach. Suzuki, known as a small car specialist, is pitching the Grand Vitara at active, fun-loving adventurers.Fair enough, for the wagon is pretty good at what it does and has helped Suzuki maintain sales in what developed into an annus horribilis for the industry.The Grand Vitara has just had a booster injection of vitality, with Suzuki ticking all the right boxes: a new petrol engine, better fuel economy, more refinement and added safety, including the fitment of electronic stability control as standard in all models.While the three- and five-door styles remain, the old 1.6 and 2-litre motors have been replaced with a smart 2.4-litre four-cylinder engine while a 3.2-litre quad cam V6 takes over from the 2.7-litre model.The existing 1.9-litre turbo diesel has been reworked for better fuel economy.Pricing spreads from $24,990 for the base three-door to $39,990 for the V6 five-door or $40,990 if you opt for larger alloy wheels.The Grand Vitara comes from Japan and it shows. It looks well screwed together and shows a degree of quality about its fit and finish which should be the envy of its rivals.DrivingWhile most of its rivals are not true offroaders, the Grand Vitara is and is remarkably capable of tackling the sort of stuff typical owners will encounter _ rough forestry trails, overgrown tracks leading to the best fishing spots or along windswept ocean beaches.You would expect, therefore, this would be a hard-riding wagon and uncomfortably out of its depth in the city environment.And that's the big surprise because it handles the urban jungle with all the poise and comfort of a mid sized family car.It has a constant all-wheel drive system with electronic selection between high and low range but the auto only comes as a four-speeder when five has become the norm.The icing on the Suzuki cake, is that this one comes well equipped for the price with a comprehensive equipment list which includes, depending on the model, six air bags, automatic air conditioning, leather trim, powered sunroof, cruise control, keyless start and multi-stack seven-speaker CD player.Standard equipment also includes hill descent and hill holder control for confidence-boosting offroad driving and 17-inch alloys. Storage space also gets a tick of approval.It's not all good news though.The wagon is best as a four-seater, not a five, the rear visibility is handicapped by the full-sized spare tyre which is slung on the side hinged rear door, there are a couple of blind spots and the way the rear seat folds is cumbersome and doesn't leave a lot in the way of extra luggage space. ON and OFF ROAD My daily route includes a brute of a short but steep hill. It's a great baseline test of how well a vehicle's torque and gearing are matched. Performance vehicles fly up in third gear, most do it in second, a few struggle and occasionally need first. The petrol Grand Vitara fits in that group.While the new 2.4-litre motor with 122kW is the star attraction and is substantially better than the old 1.6l engine, the gearing, designed to gain maximum fuel efficiency, coupled with the wagon's weight, means mid-range performance is sluggish.The Vitara would perform much better with an extra gear and ratios better matched to the engines torque. There's no problem with the Suzuki's off the line acceleration: the 2.4-litre motor has shaved zero to 100km/h times from 12.5 seconds in the old model to 11.7 seconds in the new. Not super quick but this is a constant all-wheel drive wagon designed for the bush. The Grand Vitara is perky most times and the ride is reasonable but not class leading. We tried the petrol and diesel versions, returning a good 10l/100km and 8l/100km respectively. The pick of the two, for me, is still the manual-only diesel because it offers better meaty torque which helps to overcome its mid-range flatspot, especially in the second to third gear range.That said, the petrol is still pleasing and if you desire more power (but at a price), then go for the V6 version. Inside, the Vitara offers a well designed and efficient cabin. It gets ticks for features like a gauge showing fuel consumption but all the gauges could be bigger and clearer and there's still no reach adjustment for the steering wheel.Verdict: On road, there are others which are more refined. Off road, the Vitara shines.The Grand Vitara is a genuine and honest offroader which is happy in city driving. Well equipped but needs a five-speed automatic.