Whether you love them or loath them, 'soft-roaders' are here to stay and it's Suzuki who's partly responsible for them. It launched one of the first - the Vitara - back in 1988 and set the soft-roader trend that other manufacturers followed. This third generation model is major step up from the model it replaces. It's stylish, better to drive, and is great value for money, comparing well on price and specification to models offered by Kia, Hyundai and Nissan. It's available as a shortened three-door or the more popular five-door, but both offer impressive off road ability, as well as safe and reassuring handling on road. Between 2008 and 2009 the model was revised with subtle changes to the exterior and a more upmarket cabin. ESP stability control was also made standard on all models
A 1.9 DDiS diesel, supplied by Renault, with 130bhp became available from late-2005. It gets to 62mph in 13.2 seconds (12.9 seconds in the three-door) and has decent pulling power in-gear. In the Grand Vitara it's twinned with a five-speed manual gearbox, but it although it performs well, engine noise becomes intrusive at a steady 70mph.
This is a vast improvement on the previous model. The steering is sharper and body roll is kept much more under control while cornering, even at speed, is quite flat. Although it's the not the sportiest or most enjoyable drive around, the Grand Vitara does everything that most buyers will ask of it competently. The gearchange can be a little notchy at times, but otherwise there's a precise feel to the changes. The ride is much better than the old Grand Vitara, which was unsophisticated and often uncomfortable, but is still firmer than that offered by similar 4x4s. But with good axle articulation and a low ratio gearbox, it should meet the off-road needs of most buyers.
Cruise Control, Climate Control, ABS, CD/Radio, Alloy Wheels, Immobiliser, Reverse Sensors, Roof Rails, Heated Front Screen, Electric Windows, Electric Mirrors, Remote Central Locking, Power Assisted Steering.