Suzuki Grand Vitara V6 2006 Review

7-day Test

Back in 1988 Suzuki's Vitara was the leader of the pack.

Earlier small four-wheel drives were (literally) agricultural affairs that were basically bought by farmers or fishermen who needed something small, light and capable off road. But with the arrival of the Sierra and then the Vitara, Suzuki helped create a niche.

Then new competition appeared in the form of Toyota RAV4, then Honda CR-V, Subaru Forester and more recently Nissan X-Trail and Mitsubishi Outlander. Developed more for on-road than off-road driving (with electronic all-wheel drive systems and monocoque bodies), these so-called 'softroaders' moved the market on. Suzuki meantime stuck to its Vitara formula of trying to improve on-road behaviour while retaining proficient and capable off-road component courtesy of a ladder frame chassis and full set of low range ratios. It was left behind.

Now in its third incarnation, the Grand Vitara has finally caught up with the times. For the first time it has a constant all-wheel drive system (albeit still with a centre diff lock for high-range four-wheel drive work and a full set of low-range ratios) and sits on what is essentially a monocoque chassis -- although Suzuki calls it a "built-in ladder frame."

From the outside, the Vitara is a reasonably clean if anonymous looking compact SUV that blends into the crowd. Step inside the top-of-the-range five-door V6 version CarPoint spent a week in and you are greeted with much of the same. Good quality fit and finish, everything where you would expect it, but very little in the way of design flair. In fact, the interior is bordering on dated already when compared to some of its rivals.

But it remains functional. On first impressions the seats are comfortable with good side bolsters and lateral support but over time on a 200km country run, a lack of lumbar support started to wreak havoc on this tester's already crook back.

There are, however, plenty of adjustments to achieve a good driving position while adults in the reasonably spacious rear also have the benefit of a reclining backrest -- although on anything more that a short trip you would probably want to limit the rear seat occupants to two.

The rear seat is 60/40 split and folds neatly to increase the already healthy luggage space and there are plenty of storage cubbies dotted around the cabin.

What does seem a little sparse is standard kit. The Grand Vitara does get aircon, power windows and mirrors, remote locking and a CD sound system but a major omission is the lack of cruise control. Although we drove the top model, there are obviously better specced models on offer overseas there is a fair serving of blank switches on the dash and centre console and the spot for the front fog lights in the bumper is also blanked out.

With 135kW and 250Nm, the small V6 is not hugely strong but it will pull smoothly through to the 6500rpm redline. Off the line acceleration is adequate but to really get going you do have to rev it hard with torque not reaching its peak until 4500rpm.

Luckily, the engine is fairly refined. Although it does get noisier the harder you push it, it never sounds really harsh and you do benefit from the stronger high-end grunt

What you do notice, however, under firm throttle, is the shifts of the automatic transmission, which in standard mode seems a little reluctant to kick down. Hit the power switch, however, and it responds quickly to throttle inputs when tackling hills or overtaking.

There is a significant fuel economy downside in pushing the engine. Suzuki claims an 11.6lt/100km figure for the official combined test but we barely got more than 400km out of the 66-litre tank -- that translates into a fuel consumption of at least 15lt/100km.

Out on the open freeway, the Grand Vitara proved to be a quiet and comfortable conveyance with a good, firm and solid ride quality. However, once you head off the smooth tarmac, the car's firm ride becomes more obvious with small ruts and bumps being felt through the seats and body. It's not especially uncomfortable, just a bit more obvious than buyers in this market of urban softroaders might like.

The pay-off for the firm ride is decent handling with the body roll kept in check through corners and a general feeling of stability on winding roads. The offroad-oriented Bridgestone 225/70 16-inch tyres were prone to squealing a bit through corners but apart from a little controlled understeer, they never felt like they were about to let go.

The steering lacks feel but is well weighted and reasonably direct.

On a short dirt section  -- with the transmission locked into 4 High -- the all-wheel drive was quick to pull the car back into line as it slid over the wet surface. That was as adventurous as we got off the sealed road and the reality is that that would be about the extent of it for most buyers too.

The new Vitara is no doubt a serious improvement on its predecessor in terms of its on-road dynamics and engine refinement and can now match many of its rivals. If you do want to head outback and beyond, it also offers the potential for serious off-roading.

That said in a market that is flush with new products with more coming around the corner, simply staying in the game might not be enough.