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2006 Suzuki Grand Vitara Compact Sport Utility Vehicle
Grand Vitara finally living up to its name offering good alternative for off-road performance
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Car Review of the 2006 Suzuki Grand Vitara Compact Sport Utility Vehicle
Base MSRP Range: $18,999.00 - $24,399.00
Base Invoice Range: $19,594.00 - $24,994.00
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MSRP As Tested: $24,494
Versions: 4WD, 2WD
Vehicle Category: Compact Sport Utility Vehicle
Engine Location: Front Engine
Drive Wheels: All-Wheel Drive, Rear-Wheel Drive.
Standard Engine as Tested: 2.7-liter, Dual Overhead Cam, 24-valves, V-6,185 â€' horsepower at 6000 rpm and 184 lb-ft torque at 4500 rpm.
Fuel Economy (city/hwy): 18/23 (manual), 19/23 (automatic).
Transmission: Five-speed electronically controlled automatic, Five-speed manual.
Standard Safety Features: Advanced dual-stage front airbags supplemental restraint system (SRS), Front passenger weight-sensing airbag, Front seat-mounted driver and passenger side airbags, Anti-lock Brake System with Electronic Brake Force Distribution, Side curtain air bags for front and rear, Electronic Stability Program (ESP) with Traction Control, Front and rear side impact door beams, Rear child seat LATCH system, Rear child seat tether anchors, Rear-door child safety locks.
Competition: Acura TSX, BMW 3 Series, Infiniti G35, Lexus IS300.
For a long time, there was nothing grand about Suzuki's Grand Vitara.
This small, ugly vehicle was the red-headed stepchild of SUVs, constantly getting one-upped by the Ford Escape, Honda CRV, Nissan Xterra, Jeep Liberty and other great competitors. The only good reason to buy it was the price, and even that was coming under attack as competition among mini-SUVs reached a white-hot frenzy, translating into dirt-cheap prices for vehicles that were much better than this one.
Well, Suzuki has finally gotten around to making the Grand Vitara a little grander for 2006. It's still not an industry benchmark -- not even close -- but it does offer a solid value and can, at long last, compete head-to-head with the popular mini-utes.
The drastic improvement would be apparent from across a football field, as the new Grand Vitara looks a heck of a lot better than the one it replaces. While the old one looked like a squished Subaru pieced together from Rubbermaid plastic and hot glue, this one actually looks like a proper SUV should.
It seems as though Suzuki's designers took inspiration from the latest German cars and SUVs, as the new Grand Vitara's body is clean and simple with the same understated elegance as a Volkswagen Touareg or the latest BMW X5. The side profile looks almost Audi-esque with its dramatic fender flares and delicately sloping door panels, giving the overall impression of a vehicle that's much more expensive than it is.
Inside, while it's not quite as impressive as the new body, Grand Vitara buyers will have nothing to be ashamed of in the cabin. There's more space than in the average compact SUV, and the fit and finish of materials is right on par with what you'd expect in the Escape or Liberty. It's no luxury car, sure enough, but it's a relatively nice cabin and appears to be constructed well, without a hint of rattles or squeaks.
This solid feeling is largely because of the vehicle's new chassis. It has a car-like, unibody shell that rides on top of a truck-like rail frame, allowing a terrific combination of on-road comfort and off-road capability.
The ride is outstanding for a vehicle with a truck frame. It's not quite a smooth and supple as the Escape or CRV, but those vehicles don't have a truck-style frame and hence aren't meant for heavy-duty, off-road driving.
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