Sunday, May 9, 2010

In the driveway: 2010 Suzuki Grand Vitara Limited V6 4WD

My latest review vehicle is the 2010 Suzuki Grand Vitara V6 4WD. Personally, I think the Grand Vitara, especially with the attractive 18" wheels, is one of the best looking small SUVs on the market. It almost looks a bit like a Land Rover from certain angles.

First impressions: This is a lot of truck for $28,318. The ride is a bit stiff, and the steering isn't sports-car fast, but it's comfortable around town, and has a real selectable four-wheel drive system for bona-fide off-road use. Not a ton of ground clearance, though.

It's attractive, has personality, and does most things well. Along with the SX4 and the Kizashi, it makes me wonder: Why don't more people buy Suzuki automobiles?

6 comments:

Anonymous said...

If Suzuki would bring over that damn swift, lol. I would definitely leave Toyota/Honda for Suzuki!

AccentPlanetDotOrg said...

Shameful, very sad. Suzukis Aspirational looking value for money cars are just what Gen Y is looking for, but they have to get a Better JD Power Score. If they can just get to #20, and then even better over time they can turn the tide. I have a feeling however, that by that time it will be too late, if nto before then. Many Automotive Observers already think Suzuki is rolling up its American Car tent.

Andy Lilienthal said...

"... but they have to get a Better JD Power Score"

You may have hit the nail on the head, sir.

I've driven all of the 2010 Suzuki lineup, sans the Equator, and they're all good, fun, quality-feeling vehicles. Hopefully, for 2010, the Daewoo-built Suzukis will have been purged from the JD Power system, and it will be able to have a better score.

AccentPlanetDotOrg said...

In 3 years well see. I think it should be better in 3 years.

They need to advertise and Promote Swift now. That thing should have good quality, considering how rigorously they have been testing the thing.

Anonymous said...

Looks more like a Saturn Vue to me.

rubicon4wheeler said...

I think the Grand Vitara hits the small crossover SUV nail square in the head, and the Kizashi is a great car in a segment Suzuki really needs to compete in. But there are a couple glaring holes in Suzuki's lineup: the Swift and the Jimny/Samurai. I would buy one of each!