What they said when the Suzuki Grand Vitara was new… (Mar 17 2006)
DESPITE the constant attention of the vociferous anti-4x4 lobby, the all-wheel-drive sector of the UK market continues to go from strength-to-strength.
With new versions of well established 4x4 models - such as the all-new Suzuki Grand Vitara featured here - helping manufacturers to maintain showroom momentum, the way ahead continues to look bright for the all-road vehicle.
Back in the 1980s, Suzuki was responsible for kick-starting the Sports Utility Vehicle (SUV) market with the soft and hard-top Vitara, before introducing the Grand Vitara into the UK market in the late 1990s.
The past three years has seen the Japanese car maker very much on a roll and, despite not having the benefit of fleet business, Suzuki sales in Europe were up by some 11 per cent its 2005.
Completely new from the ground up, the second generation Grand Vitara comes in three and five-door body styles offering three engines - 1.6-litre 104bhp petrol for the three-door model and the option of two-litre 138bhp petrol or a Renault-sourced 1.9-litre 127bhp Euro 4 compliant turbo diesel in the five-door version.
Ringing the changes on the road comes courtesy of a five-slot manual gear change or the cost option of a smooth-shifting four-speed automatic transmission which is available to partner the two-litre petrol engine in the five-door derivative.
Although losing a little exterior height measurement - which doesn't compromise interior comfort - both three and five-door models are longer and wider than their predecessors and driven here is the three-door derivative which, with its crouching-style stance, presents a more muscular and sporty SUV appearance as opposed to the quite elegant, yet no frills, appearance of the five-door model.
In profile, the overall styling of both models follows a line that runs from the top of the headlamps flanking the pronounced mesh grille with large Suzuki logo, through the clam shell-shaped bonnet to rear light clusters which are more rounded with a chrome effect finish on the three-door as opposed to the red tinted-look enjoyed by five-door owners.
On both models, the muscular wheel arches are linked by raised lower door edges which cover the body sills, creating a flush finish designed to reduce the risk of heavy dry cleaning bills with clothes being spoiled by coming into contact with mud-spattered bodywork.
Increased length and width dimensions have translated into extra space for occupants and their luggage, the three-door providing decent head and legroom both front and rear, while the quite generous luggage area - which includes underfloor storage - can be extended even further courtesy of easy-to-operate tip and fold rear seats.
The side-hinged rear door may possibly pose a few problems for some drivers. Compared with a roof-hinged hatch, more clearance space is required from the car behind to provide an adequate working area for loading.
Access to the well set-out cabin is good, though, and kit levels on the three-door are generous with the likes of electric front windows, automatic climate control, plus sound system with CD and steering wheel-mounted controls.
There are eight airbags on board to protect you and yours while places to hide your bits and bobs include a lockable glovebox and centre console storage plus the usual cup and bottle holders.
In a cabin which has the look and feel of solid build, Suzuki has moved its game on to provide plastics and fabrics which are quite pleasant to the sight and touch while boasting that serviceable appearance required in a family workhorse. Nice touches include the use of metal-effect highlights on the dash and centre console.
Unlike some competitors, the Grand Vitar has a low-set transmission tunnel which allows the comfortable seating to accommodate five adults.
Despite the absence of driver's seat height adjust - which comes only with the five-door – the height adjustable steering column helps to create a driving position to suit most folk, facing a neatly set-out dashboard and centre console with user friendly controls, from where overall vision is very good.
The new Grand Vitara comes with a totally new permanent four-wheel-drive system but the five-door derivative gets a differential lock and low ratio transfer capability for the serious off-road stuff, while the three-door version has been specifically designed as a soft-roader.
Even so it's well capable of dealing highly effectively with icy or snowy on-road or muddy off-road conditions without having to resort to switching modes every time conditions at tyre level change.
However, the 1.6-litre petrol engine paired with the five-speed manual gearbox can prove a little on the noisy side when being worked at higher revs to give its best.
The new, firmed-up, all-round independent suspension with multi-link - making its debut at the rear in place of the previous model's rigid axle - helps to provide a ride which is nicely composed through corners with good grip and handling.
Accurate power steering and surprisingly little body roll - even when being thrown about over some tight B-roads - add their contribution.
However, the downside is that the overall ride is stiff and somewhat unforgiving, resulting in the transmission of tarmac imperfections cabinside.
Overall, this latest Suzuki Grand Vitara three-door is a big improvement on its predecessor.
Competitively priced at under £13,000 it looks great and handles well with interior quality of a much higher order while front, side and curtain airbags, which come as standard, are a fine move forward in the safety stakes.
Words: Malcolm Robertshaw
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