Home » Car Reviews » Suzuki » Grand Vitara » 2006 Suzuki Grand Vitara Compact Sport Utility Vehicle
2006 Suzuki Grand Vitara Compact Sport Utility Vehicle
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Two-wheel drive is offered in the base models, with four-wheel-drive coming standard in the XSport and Luxury editions. Only go with the 2WD if you’re on a tight budget and plan to keep it on-road. But for the price, there are other 2WD vehicles (most of which are not SUVs) that will get the job done better than the base Grand Vitara.
But if you’re planning on playing with your new automobile, the 2006 Vitara makes it easier and safer to pull your recreational goodies behind a Vitara this year ' tow smaller boats, motorcycles or personal watercraft with ease, again utilizing that four-mode FWD system to keep all four wheels on the ground (reducing driveline wear).
The Vitara is also low-maintenance, with features like a self-lubricating timing chain (not a timing belt, which will wear out). MacPherson struts power the front suspension, with independent multi-link suspension in the rear.
The braking system has also been improved for the new Vitara, with front ventilated disc brakes and rear drum brakes (standard in the base Vitara), with Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS) coming standard on all four versions.
Ride and Handling
Despite the stigma that lower-priced imports sometimes have, the '06 Vitara did impress with the degree of comfort we experienced. It proved very smooth and stable on the highway, the ride is significantly more refined than the previous Vitara, and is probably better than Suzuki's larger SUV, the XL7. It can't be called a "rickety" vehicle, again, breaking the Suzuki stereotype.
Passengers found the ride comfortable, as well, even on long trips. The ride is as smooth as they get for compact SUVs on truck platforms. In the previous model we found cornering, and even taking long, sweeping curves, difficult to do. It was hard to hang onto the vehicle. And rear-seat passengers complained of discomfort and nausea. But that problem has been eliminated. Cornering was easy, and driving winding roads was fun because we were confident in what the truck could do.
Early reports had us worried that this year's Vitara might feel like the Sidekick -- a rollover nightmare. It is not the case with the Grand Vitara.
Our main complaints lay with the Vitara's brakes -- stopping takes longer than anticipated. However the standard Anti-Lock Brakes add peace of mind. Additionally the Grand Vitara is a little bit underpowered, but this is the case with most all vehicles in this class. Overall Suzuki's Vitara definitely qualifies as a "grand" vehicle in its class.
Safety
One of the best things about the new Grand Vitara is that Suzuki has taken safety even more seriously this year. The safety features are the same, and come standard, across all four versions, and include the Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS) with electronic brake-force distribution. This helps to correct mistakes the driver makes, particularly while over-correcting: brakes are automatically applied to individual wheels by the Electronic Stability Program (ironically, it’s referred to as “ESP”). The ESP, similar to systems found on luxury vehicles like the Porsche Cayenne, measures various data like speed, steering wheel angle and yaw, and helps the driver correct much easier than if he were on his own. The ESP will also reduce the engine’s torque output, further slowing the vehicle down.
Airbags have been added and upgraded for 2006, and include an advanced dual-stage front airbag supplemental restraint system, weight-sensing front passenger airbag, driver and front passenger seat-mounted side-impact airbags, and front and rear side-curtain airbags. Further protecting passengers are the front and rear side-impact door beams, which help reinforce the body and provide a safety capsule for passengers.
The front end and bumper use energy-absorbing materials to keep the possibility of leg injuries down.
Children are safer with a rear LATCH (Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children) seat system. And the rear-door child safety locks keep kids where they’re supposed to be ' inside the vehicle.
Three-point safety belts are provided for every passenger, and front passengers can adjust the height of the shoulder strap. Each passenger also gets a headrest, which helps minimize the likelihood of whiplash in the vent of a collision.
More Data
Where Built: Japan
Major Options: No factory options. Options are available as dealer-installed accessories.
Seating: 5.
Number of Rows: 2.
Length in Inches: 176
Warrantees: 3 years/36,000 miles bumper to bumper, 7/100,000 miles Extended powertrain, 3 years/unlimited miles Corrosion protection, 3 years/36,000 miles Roadside assistance.
Weight in Pounds: 3,452 lb ' 3,505 lbs.
Cargo Capacity in Pounds: Not available.
Gross Maximum Vehicle Weight in Pounds: Not available.
Towing Capacity in Pounds: 3000.
Gas Tank Capacity in Gallons: 17.4
Destination Charge: $595
