Going Grand
A capable SUV that is now more accessible thanks to the smaller and better engine
Works well both on and off the road, reasonably spacious interior, cheaper than many of its rivals but equally well-built and equipped 
No auxiliary input on audio head unit, engine is buzzy at higher revs Small cosmetic updates and a whole new engine mark out the newly improved Suzuki Grand Vitara
By Lionel Kong
THERE’S JUST NO escaping the constant barrage of new and updated SUVs rolling into town these days. Half a decade ago, taking a newly launched SUV out on a test drive was something of a novelty after plugging through dozens of new sedans and hatchbacks. But nowadays it almost feels like every second new car that we lay our hands on is an SUV or one of those new fangled Crossover jobs.
Well the Grand Vitara is Suzuki’s tried and tested big daddy, being the largest and most expensive Suzuki passenger car you can buy here and having been around since 1999. The second generation car that we see here was launched in 2006 and now gets its customary midlife facelift, even though some enthusiastic salespeople at the Suzuki showroom might tell you that it’s really a new model.
Well they’re not really lying, because the range-topper has a totally new 2.4-litre engine, which replaces the 2.7-litre V6 previously found in the 4WD Grand Vitara. It’s still a proper SUV though, with three selectable drive modes accessed through a rotary dial on the console.
You’ll probably leave the selector in 4H for almost all of the car’s life if all you do is potter around on sealed roads, but there’s also 4H Lock (which locks out the centre differential when the terrain gets slippy and slidy), and 4L Lock, which switches over to a lower final drive ratio for more power going up the really steep and loose stuff.
The engine drives the wheels through a four-speed autobox, and the first thing that owners of the older 2.7-litre Grand Vitara will notice is that the new, smaller four cylinder engine is quieter than the old V6. It feels slightly less powerful, but then again, a car like the Grand Vitara isn’t built for racing around.
There’s more than enough low end torque, but the longish gear ratios don’t really help the car accelerate quickly. It doesn’t help that the engine seems to run out of puff as it approaches the redline too. It works best in the low and middle revs.
Much of the interior seems to be laid out in as practical a fashion as possible. There isn’t much to shout about, though there’s a new and highly useful digital multi-information display nestled within the speedometer. There’s ample room in the cabin for five and the sunroof is always a great hit with the kids.
But the car’s sticking point is that it costs a large chunk more than the basic 2.0-litre version. The price difference is more than $10,000, and besides the larger engine buyers of the 2.4-litre Grand Vitara also get HID headlamps, the sunroof, integrated indicator lights on the wing mirrors, cruise control, a full complement of six airbags, 18-inch alloy wheels and a big chrome Suzuki badge on the rear spare tyre cover.
It’s a fair amount of extras, but the most expensive car in the local Suzuki lineup is still more affordable than many of its competition.
Need To Know
Suzuki Grand Vitara 2.4 (A)
ENGINE TYPE 2,393cc, in-line 4
MAX POWER 166bhp at 6,000rpm
MAX TORQUE 225Nm at 4,000rpm
GEARBOX 4-speed automatic
TOP SPEED 170km/h
0-100KM/H 12.0 seconds
PRICE $81,900 with COE
WARRANTY 3 years / 100,000km
CONTACT Champion Motors
TELEPHONE 6774-9773
