Suzuki Grand Vitara Review (2005-2014)

What is the Suzuki Grand Vitara?

The third-generation Suzuki Vitara, or Grand Vitara to give it its full name, is a small SUV that rivals cars such as the Hyundai Tucson, Nissan X-Trail, Honda CR-V, Land Rover Freelander and Kia Sportage.

It’s the third model in the Suzuki Vitara line, but only the second to bear the Grand Vitara badge. Back in 1988, Suzuki launched a compact SUV called the Vitara, which proved a success thanks to its small size and four-wheel-drive capabilities.

The Vitara was good in the rough, but on the road its performance left something to be desired. Ultimately, it was replaced in 1997 by a new model called the Grand Vitara. Aside from softer styling and more kit, it also received technical updates that stood to significantly improve its comfort and on-road performance.

Customers continued to demand improved sophistication, however, so a new Grand Vitara was designed. It boasted smarter, sharper looks, a new four-wheel drive system and a range of power units that included both petrol and diesel engines. All in, it was a marked improvement over the preceding second-generation Vitara.

The third-generation model, reviewed here, ceased produdiction for the UK market in 2014, and was replaced by the fourth-generation Vitara the following year.

How practical is it?

This was especially the case inside, where the cabin was comfortable, spacious (although legroom is a little tight in three-door models) with plenty of headroom, and it was also suitably durable, although it did contain too many hard plastics.

The Grand Vitara had a decent boot as well, with a maximum of 1,386 litres of storage space on offer in the five-door model and 964 litres in the three-door variant making it a useful family car.

What's it like to drive?

The Grand Vitara proved to be far better to drive and more comfortable on the road than its predecessor, too. Power was sent to all four wheels in all versions, but five-door models got a permanent four-wheel drive system with a rear differential lock and a low-range mode, granting it significant off-road credentials. For those typically tackling rough terrain or routes, it was a great option.

It still trailed behind more on-road focused alternatives such as the Honda CR-V, though, which served up a smoother and quieter driving experience, especially on the motorway. The engine line-up left quite a lot to be desired, too, with the initial petrol range consisting of uninspiring 1.6-litre and 2.0-litre engines that served up unremarkable performance and efficiency. The diesel engine was a bit more muscular and efficient, but raucous.

Technology, equipment & infotainment

Standard equipment was good, with all versions coming with climate control, electric windows, a CD player, a tilt-adjustable steering column, remote locking, multiple airbags and tinted glass. It didn’t fare too badly in Euro NCAP crash testing, either, gaining four stars for adult occupant protection and three stars for child occupant protection, although alternatives such as the Nissan X-Trail did admittedly earn a higher four-star rating for child protection.

The Grand Vitara lasted until 2014, after which it was replaced by the new Vitara, so a used example is your only option if you want one. You might understandably be tempted, too, given the equipment and capabilities on offer for the money.

Ultimately, it comes down to what you wanted to do with it. If you just want something with SUV height and looks, which you’re going to drive on the road or for long distances, any number of alternatives will offer better performance, comfort, refinement and running costs.

If you however want something that can tackle rough roads and terrain with ease, as well as deal with daily driving without being too punishing, a Grand Vitara makes for a sensible, rugged and reliable option.

Suzuki Grand Vitara running costs

A Vitara isn’t a hugely expensive car to run but its fuel consumption and emissions, regardless of which engine you go for, often aren’t great when compared to its competitors, so you’ll spend a more on tax and fuel.

The entry-level petrol 1.6-litre model, for example, was claimed to average 32.5mpg when new and emitted 210g/km of CO2, which lands it in the £330 annual VED band. Some of the diesel iterations are less expensive but some, such as the automatic 2.0-litre petrol, cost up to £565. If you’re buying a cheap used example, that VED hit could smart.

At least the engines are straightforward and the Suzuki is uncomplicated and not overly expensive to maintain. What's more, the diesel, which is claimed to average north of 36.7mpg, is a bit more frugal. Both three- and five-door variants have a sensibly sized fuel tank, too, so range shouldn’t prove too much of an issue. The only downside with opting for the diesel, aside from its noisy nature and additional complexity, is that it uses a timing belt that needs changing every five years or 45,000 miles.

The increased running costs of the Suzuki compared to its rivals aren’t entirely unjustified, though. Other cars in its class tend to have all-wheel drive systems that operate predominantly in front-wheel drive mode for improved efficiency, and such set-ups don’t have the low-range feature or locking differential offered by the five-door Suzuki and its permanent four-wheel drive system. Consequently, if you are going to be heading into the rough regularly, you’ll probably not mind paying the efficiency penalty, as the additional economy on offer in competitor cars will be entirely moot if they get you stuck in the middle of nowhere.

Otherwise, if dealing with rutted roads and slippery off-road routes aren’t on your schedule, look elsewhere. A Skoda Yeti from 2009, for example – in powerful turbo 1.8 TSI petrol specification and with all-wheel drive – could average 35mpg and would cost £305 a year to tax. The Yeti is also quicker, more refined and better to drive, as is the case with many alternatives.

Suzuki Grand Vitara reliability

All new Suzuki Grand Vitaras came with a sensible three-year, 60,000-mile warranty, three years’ roadside assistance and a 12-year anti-perforation warranty.

That warranty will have long since expired on all third-generation Grand Vitaras, but the good thing is that Suzuki is well regarded for producing durable, dependable and reliable cars. Issues tend to be minor, so major nightmares should be few and far between.

Suzuki also has a good dealer network in the UK, so finding somewhere local to repair any issue shouldn’t be difficult, but the easily understood and simple nature of the Grand Vitara means that any independent specialist should be capable of fixing it without fuss.

When it comes to buying a used Grand Vitara, aside from the normal checks, you want to ensure that the car you’re looking at hasn’t been used hard in off-road conditions. Check the underside carefully for damage, ensure that the gearbox and off-road features function as intended, if equipped, and make sure the car tracks straight and true on the road.

You’ll want to check out the government’s recall website, too, as there have been some recalls on earlier models. Enter the registration of the vehicle you’re looking at, or its production year, and the website will present you with the recalls that apply to that vehicle. After that, it’s a case of checking the history or contacting a dealer to see if the fixes have been carried out.