| The cheeky little Suzuki Vitara was once very | | | | DDiS diesel, supplied by Renault, with 130bhp became |
| popular and especially appealed to younger drivers. I | | | | available from late-2005. |
| remember college kids who had a bit of money used | | | | The steering is sharp and body roll is much more |
| to buy them and then "pimp" them up to the | | | | under control when cornering, even at speed. The |
| required standard which usually consisted of | | | | brakes are positive and responsive. As with most |
| enormously oversized wheels and tyres accompanied | | | | off-road vehicles the gear change can be a little |
| by some kind of amusing spare wheel cover on the | | | | notchy at times, but otherwise there's a precise feel |
| back. Then there was the obligatory sound system | | | | to the changes and the ride is much better than the |
| which emitted a blue incandescent glow and of | | | | old Grand Vitara which was rather unsophisticated |
| course needed to be pumping out the latest hip-hop | | | | and a little uncomfortable. |
| tune. | | | | The Grand Vitara is longer and wider than before and |
| I'm not sure what the Suzuki executives back in | | | | the interior styling is good. There is plenty of |
| Japan would have made of all this. I guess they | | | | headroom and rear legroom on the five-door, the |
| would have just been glad of the sales but for | | | | space in the rear of the three-door is a bit tight |
| whatever reason the plug was pulled on the Vitara | | | | though. Road and wind noise are kept to reasonable |
| and Suzuki concentrated its efforts on the higher | | | | levels, but engine noise can get intrusive under heavy |
| spec Grand Vitara instead. Suzuki must have been | | | | acceleration. |
| aware that along with other baby off-roaders such | | | | The wide opening tailgate and high roof means that |
| as the Toyota Rav 4 for example, their cars were | | | | large and awkwardly-shaped objects are easily |
| rarely used off-road (the cheaper Jimny was always | | | | accommodated, although loading can be quite tricky |
| the more favoured mud-plugger) popular with | | | | as it's quite high off the ground. The load area on the |
| farmers and safari parks alike. I remember when my | | | | five-door is good, while the boot space offered by |
| car broke down in the lion enclosure at Longleat | | | | the three-door is acceptable for a couple, rather than |
| safari park and I was saved from becoming an | | | | a family. The seats tumble and fold, which gives even |
| appetiser by a man in a zebra striped Jimny. | | | | the three-door near van-like practicality. Both have a |
| The motoring expression "soft roader" was born out | | | | hidden storage bin under the boot floor which is |
| of a desire by people to drive vehicles that were | | | | useful for hiding your valuables. Inside there's a large |
| designed for off-road conditions but ended up in our | | | | glove box, centre storage bin and bottle holders in |
| towns and cities. It still provokes a heated debate | | | | the door pockets. |
| amongst those in favour and those who are opposed | | | | The Grand Vitara gained an impressive four star |
| to such behaviour. | | | | rating from Euro NCAP for occupant safety and |
| Unperturbed though by the anti- 4x4 lobby Suzuki | | | | standard safety equipment is good. You'll find ABS |
| introduced an all new Grand Vitara in 2005 and I | | | | and electronic brake force distribution, dual front, |
| recently decided to have a closer inspection of one | | | | side, and front and rear curtain airbags. All cars have |
| at a cheap Suzuki dealer. | | | | remote central locking and an immobiliser so it should |
| This third generation model is quite a step up from | | | | still be there when you return to it. |
| the model it replaced. It is stylish, better to drive, and | | | | Like many Japanese manufacturers, Suzuki has a |
| compares well on price and specification to models | | | | reputation for mechanical durability and like the |
| offered by Kia, Hyundai and Nissan. | | | | successful Swift supermini, the Grand Vitara has been |
| There are two petrol engines a 1.6 VVT with 105bhp | | | | designed and engineered for European buyers who |
| and a 140bhp 2.0-litre petrol. Both offer adequate | | | | now expect a quality interior with a high-grade finish. |
| performance and cruise well at speed, but can suffer | | | | There are no reports of any reliability problems so |
| from a lack of pulling power between 30-60mph, | | | | you should not encounter anything untoward. |
| which can make overtaking a drawn-out affair. A 1.9 | | | | |