Suzuki Grand Vitara reviews

Generally a good practical car for all round all year urban and rural use. Comfortable for main road and motorway driving, also fine on minor roads and off road. Big enough to be useful, whilst short and slim enough for parking and narrow roads. Routine maintenance and repairs can be expensive on an older vehicle, but breakdowns are rare or non existent. From the drivers point of view, the Grand Vitara seats and suspension are not as good as the earlier Vitara, but passengers prefer them. More load space would be useful, but that would mean a larger vehicle, and the relatively compact footprint is an advantage. Access to load space is excellent, whether for shopping or heavier loads. It's a very robust vehicle on poorly maintained lanes and farm tracks, four wheel drive is useful with bad weather or rough ground, and the wheelbase high enough to deal with most bumps, rocks, and minor flood water. The moderately high wheelbase is also helpful with lower spine problems and related strain injuries, the Vitaras are very easy to get in or out, compared with lower vehicles. This model has several useful stowage spaces for jack , tools or whatever. The electronics are not up to date of course, but the provision of 12v power outlets enables ad hoc updates. Fuel consumption is similar to my earlier cars, probably more than a lot of modern cars, but a car that will get me there in comfort without getting stuck is more useful than one that saves a bit on fuel costs.

I chose this 4X4 as we have owned other Suzukis in the past and were impressed with their reliability. I also wanted a car which would perform safely during extreme weather conditions - snow and ice particularly - as where we live and where I work are both in hilly areas. I compromised on running costs and environmental improvements for safety and reliability. You have to be aware that if this car ever does need a spare part, it will not be cheap or easy to get sometimes - other than from a Suzuki dealer - however, I have found that it does not need new parts very often and this car is now approaching its 5th year with me. It feels solid and safe to drive in icy and snowy conditions, obviously driving with these conditions in mind, and has not let me down on my commute yet which is my main reason for having my car. However, we have used it on a couple of distance drives, and while it rather ate the petrol, it proved a comfortable car, adequately carrying required luggage. Also, as it is a 4X4, as an owner you do not feel the need to keep it shiny and tidy inside and out. It is meant to be a workhorse of a car so it gets cleaned as little as possible - rainy days are usually enough and as for valeting - it has never been considered! Perhaps when I need to sell!!!

Does what a large 4x4 should do (not such a 'soft-roader' as they have been labelled as).Not cheap to run, but you should expect that from a V6 2.7L engine. Very reliable, this is my 4th Grand Vitara and every one has passed every m.o.t. As they are no longer in production I'm already finding it hard to decide what to replace it with in 3 years time !! nothing else is rated as being half as reliable. Performance is what you would expect from a V6, even my wife can leave others standing at the lights (without even exceeding 2500 r.p.m.)and motorway cruising is a dream, if you don't watch the fuel guage too closely. If you tow a decent size caravan (twin axle), live or work in the countryside, especially in winter, why would you drive anything else ?

Needed a 4x4 as live rurally and in winter local roads are ice-bound. Driveway is also on a 35 degree incline. Although the car has functioned flawlessy (albeit low mileage) the failing of the radio unit and some engine bay/under body seam rusting is not so rewarding. Current mileage at <2k per anum. Ride and general performance acceptable. Cabin is comfortable. Looks and main body retains finish. VERY VERY disappointed that this model got reclassified into the larger 4x4 class and that road ax is £280 next year for a 36 mpg av 1598cc engine of modern day design and build.

Had the car for 3yrs and my daughter has had it before me.Runs perfect always passes mot with flying colours and not spent a penny on it only to replace tyres and bulbs.Brilliant in 4x4 when you need it.Can't understand why the government keep putting the taxes up on these vehicles to try and get them off the roads for greener so called vehicles when in bad wintery conditions they are the lifelines to the rural communities when nothing else can get there.

A good old fashioned 4x4 with permanent 4 wheel drive that gives a suure-footed feel to the handling. It's petrol so likes to drink (28mpg). SZ5 spec gives leather and gas-discharge headlamps but only a cd radio with no mp3 input! Plenty of legroom for 5 people and space for luggage behind. It has a robust feeling inside and out. Deals usually available new and cheap to buy 2nd hand. Good for those who want a real off roader.

I PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE ON THE 05 12 2015 FROM WILLIAMS MOTOR COMPANY . WE STAY IN SCOTLAND AND ONLY SEEN THIS VEHICLE ON THE WEBSITE. PHONED THE GARAGE AND THE MAN SAID YOU WILL NOT BE DISSAPOINTED WITH THIS VEHICLE AS IT IS IN FIRST CLASS ORDER. I HAD THE VEHICLE BROUGHT HOME AND WE ARE ABSOLUTELY DELIGHTED WITH IT . THE MAN AT THE GARAGE WAS TRUE TO HIS WORD. I WOULD NOT HESITATE IN USING OR RECOMENDING THIS GARAGE TO ANYONE I!ll BE BACK

I have had this vehicle for 2 years and I love the driving position and general visibility. I hate the fuel economy 28-30 mpg irrespectiver of driving style. The car has been ultra reliable to date , serviced every 12 months and passing 2 MOT's with no work necessary. It has never let me down. I am thinking about an LPG conversion but the cost is a little high and I think I will lose some of the limited space in the rear.

Bought new in 2007,only covered 20.000 miles and just changed the front tyres.Not the best on fuel 27.6 miles per gallon on average.Never had the car back to the dealers for any faults.The car looks superb and the bodywork is as good as new,the interior is fantastic with most of the mod cons.The only fault with the car is a buffeting noise when the rear windows are open.All in all I cant fault the big Suzuki.

Now has 53,000 miles and 10 years old most people would want to change for a newer model - I don't, this car suits me to a tee and there is nothing that I can find that I would want to replace it with. It is great for on road and even better off road, it goes where heavier more powerful vehicles get stuck. Great seating position and very comfortable and for a 4 x 4 reasonably economical

An honest 4x4 that has permanent 4 wheel drive to keep you going when the weather bites. SZ5 spec gives leather HID lights, climate and sunroof but no mp3 connector. It likes a drink at 30mpg avereage and takes £280 to tax but it is easier if you buy it knowing this. The ride is a bit bouncy but potholes are easily tackled.

I bought my car new and it was very much cheaper than the opposition. But it has been almost totally reliable, is compact for parking, sturdily built, and I use it a lot for off-road work. Snow and ice are no problem in winter, the low ratio gearbox is invaluable, and it can go to places that very few other vehicles can.

I love my car even though it is expensive to run. I live in a very rural area and it is very reliable in poor weather conditions. The only feature I dislike is the lack of visibility for parking or maneuvering because the pillars are too wide and take up too much space. There are `blind` spots because of this.

Reaslly nice car. I feel totally secure whilst driving in todays helter skelter traffic.Particularly here in Middlesbrough where there seems to be no speed limits or if there are they are totally ignored.Visibility is excellent and driving position very good and extremely comfortable.

the susuki grand vitara is the most reliable car i have ever own. very comfortable to drive and reliable. the only negative things that i can say about the car is the fuel consumption being quite heavy and the cost of parts w hen things do go wrong

Comfortable ride. Mod cons. Good for light to moderate off road work. Was great in the snow last year even though it was an automatic which had worried me when I bought it but confident in its performance in adverse conditions now.

NOT THE MOST COMFORTABLE RIDE BEING VERY HARD, HAS HAD RATTLING NOISES WITH SUSPENSION SINCE NEW AND VARIOUS PARTS OF THE EXHAUST SYSTEM FALL OF FROM TIME TO TIME. A BIT UNDER POWERED AND THIRSTY FOR PETROL. WOULD NOT HAVE ANOTHER.

Main issue with the Grand Vitara is the running cost. The car I currently have is my 4th Vitara. The fuel consumption is appalling but its efficiency in bad weather in the Lake District where I live is excellent.

My car is coming up to ten years old I have had it from new, it has been the most reliable car I have had. I am 59 years of age and have been driving since I was 17.

Bought this car 3 years ago not very comfortable and not cheap to run but will go anywhere 4 wheel drive and very reliable passed every M.o.t