Vehicle: 2009 Suzuki Grand Vitara JLX-L
Price as tested: CDN$29995
Performance: New for 2009, Suzuki introduced an all-new 4-cylinder engine in addition to its praiseworthy V6 in the Grand Vitara.
Its 2.4 liter 16-valve DOHC engine has 166 horses for driver’s disposal. While the horsepower figure is just about average in this class of 4-cylinder compact SUV, its 162 lb/ft of torque that is really moving this Vitara. With 4000rpm as maxium torque arrives, 162 lb/ft is more than enough to move Grand’s 4713 lb of leather-lined luxury. When it comes to refinement, it doesn’t sound like any rough motors of Suzuki in the past. Its level of smoothness and quietness are about as good as anything else made from Honda and Toyota. The throttle response is decently quick which is able to move Grand with authority off-the-line. All of those power is transferred through 4-speed automatic. While this auto is smooth and refined enough for most purposes, there are 2 huge quibbles. The 1st gear needs to set lower for better bottom-end acceleration, on the other hand, it needs a 5th gear for more relaxing highway cruise. The bottom line? If Suzuki engineers are able to address those issues for the next generation of Grand Vitara, it will improve its fuel economy and performance significantly. Speaking of fuel economy, we had an average of 11L/100km during our test-run. That is just average for a 4713 lb SUV with a 4 banger.
Handling: Given Grand’s status-of-life as a capable SUV in the dirt, its on-road capability is a delightful surprise. The rack-and-pinion steering provides decent feedback and response, with enough precision to tell driver where its turning. It doesn’t have any kinds of twitches which is usually associated with SUV. When it comes to push the Grand through twisties, it shines. While there are some amount of body rolls and understeer does surface when pushed hard. Grand is able to settle itself after body rolls commandably without tires complaint too loudly. That really shows how much efforts have Suzuki engineers have put through when engineered Vitara for most SUV buyer’s main purpose, driven on-road instead of off-road. Grand’s ESP works as a helping hands whenever driver starts to rear its ugly heads. It also works exceptionally well with Vitara’s full-time 4WD system that is incorporated with the ESP. It works good in the dry, it works wonderfully well in both rain and snow.
Brakes: With 4-wheel discs and standard ABS on the Grand Vitara, its brake pedal feel and modulation are better than average. The brake feels crisp and linear, without all those dead feedback we have experienced with Suzuki in the past. ABS works only when necessary.
Interior: Suzuki interiors have come a long way in the last couple of years, Grand Vitara is no exception. New for 2009, Suzuki has added a new trim level called JLX-L which include leather seats and automatic climate control for its 4-cylinder Vitara. While the leather seats are comfortable and provide the right amount of support, its the use of plastic materials that are most impressed in the cabin. There are enough soft-touch plastic on the dasboard and door panels. Its automatic climate control works like a champ with enough warm air blow through the vents. Instrumentation gauges are clear and analog.
The single biggest design issue with Grand Vitara still haven’t addressed with the latest revision. Instead of designing a rear door that is open on the top of the hatch, Suzuki designers remain stubborn to mount the door on the wrong side. Every time I need to unload, I have to open a very narrow angle on parallel parking spot and backing in. You also have to walk a far way through the door to get to where you want to go. While its understandable for those who drive a Grand on right-hand-drive markets, it doesn’t make sense for those of us who drive on the other side of the road.
Conclusion: Over the last couple of years, Grand Vitara’s most attractive proportion has always been its excellent V6 wraps in a compact package. With gas prices on the paramount, its a smart move for Suzuki to focus more of its 4-cylinder in their most important vehicle. This 2.4 liter 4-cylinder certainly does more than enough for Grand Vitara’s purpose without losing any of its character.
OVERALL VERDICT FOR 2009 Suzuki Grand Vitara
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Performance: 3.5/5
Handling and ride/fun-to-drive: 3.5/5
Interior/ergonomics/user-friendliness: 4/5
Fit-and-finish/build quality: 4/5
Cargo/accessibility/layout: 3/5
Value-for-money: 3/5
Overall rating: 3.25/5