Suzuki releases 2WD Grand Vitara

Suzuki Australia has officially released a two-wheel drive version of its Grand Vitara compact SUV, with a $26,990 drive-away price for the new Urban 2WD variant announced on the company’s website today — earlier than intended.

That makes the first 2WD Grand Vitara, which spearheads a facelifted model range, at least $2000 cheaper than the outgoing Urban AWD (previously $28,990 plus on-road costs), although a short-wheelbase three-door four-seat ‘GV3’ model continues to open the upgraded Grand Vitara range priced from $24,990 – a price that now also includes statutory and dealer costs, thereby making it one of the cheapest compact SUVs available.

Also new to the facelifted Grand Vitara range, which gains new front-end styling and extra standard features, is a Sport variant priced at $31,490 drive-way, while the DDiS diesel version is now $35,990 drive-away (previously $34,990 plus ORCs) and the former petrol V6 range-topper is now discontinued.

With drive-away pricing across the entire new all-four-cylinder range, Suzuki expects the Grand Vitara to be far more competitive in the ‘sweet spot’ of Australia’s compact SUV segment, sales of which are up almost 70 per cent so far this year.

More than half of that growth has come from sub-$30,000 2WD models like the Nissan Dualis (from $24,990), Jeep Patriot (from $25,000), Mitsubishi ASX (from $25,990), Skoda Yeti (from $26,290), Jeep Compass (from $26,500), Hyundai ix35 (from $26,990), VW Tiguan (from $28,490) and Peugeot 4008 (from $28,990).

Most of the Grand Vitara’s mid-size SUV rivals are also now also available in cut-price 2WD guise, including the RAV4, Nissan X-Trail, Mazda CX-5, Mitsubishi Outlander, Holden Captiva 5, Kia Sportage, Renault Koleos and even the Jeep Cherokee, leaving only the Subaru Forester and, for now, Honda CR-V without an entry-level 2WD variant.

In a press release issued late today, Suzuki Australia General Manager Tony Devers said the addition of a 2WD version of the Grand Vitara was a direct response to customer feedback.

“In the past couple of years the proliferation of 2WD models has maintained SUVs as the fastest growing segment in the market; not just in Australia but around the world.

“In Australia 2WD models now account for almost half of all SUV sales as customers demand a vehicle that offers the best of both worlds.

“Customers looking for the legendary reliability and performance of Grand Vitara, but not wanting to venture off the beaten track can now choose a 2WD version.”

Suzuki says the Grand Vitara has always been popular with drivers aged over 50 and that its research shows the fast-growing 35 to 49-year-old market has a strong preference for 2WD.

“The opportunity is enormous, given Grand Vitara’s award-winning heritage,” said Mr Devers.

As we reported when we revealed news of the 2WD Grand Vitara exclusively almost a month ago (following the facelifted Grand Vitara’s Japanese release as the 2013 Escudo), the 2WD Suzuki SUV is rear-wheel drive - unlike all of its cut-price front-wheel drive compact SUV rivals.

“Grand Vitara has always been a driver’s car, making rear-wheel drive the only choice once we decided to add a two-wheel drive version.

The 2WD Grand Vitara is powered by the same 122kW/225Nm 2.4-litre four-cylinder petrol engine as its pre-existing AWD stablemates, but consumes 0.2L/100km less fuel and returns a class-competitive combined average of 8.7L/100km as a manual, and 0.1L/100km less in four-speed automatic form (9.5L/100km), which costs $2000 extra.

Specifications are otherwise almost identical to the five-door Grand Vitara AWD, with which the new 2WD shares its overall dimensions - except for a 7mm-lower 1683mm roof height (despite offering the same 200mm of ground clearance) and slightly less aggressive approach and departure angles.

Like the three-door AWD, the five-door 2WD Grand Vitara rides on 16-inch steel wheels with 225/70 tyres (other five-door models run on 17-inch alloys with 225/65 tyres) and has the same 1605kg kerb weight as the five-door AWD Sport. Likewise, all five-door petrol models – including the new Urban 2WD - can tow up to 1850kg in manual guise (1700kg auto, 750kg unbraked).

Like the diesel and three-door models, the 2WD comes standard with a CD/MP3 player with auxiliary input and steering wheel controls, but adds Bluetooth connectivity. In addition, 2WD and Sport models add rear parking sensors, while Sport and Prestige models offer a new touch-screen satellite-navigation system with voice control and live traffic updates.

The auto-only Prestige model also comes with leather seat trim, a sunroof, 18-inch alloys, keyless entry and starting, plus a premium sound system, while the DDiS diesel now gains Bluetooth connectivity and consumes just 6.8L/100km – down from 7.0L/100km.

All facelifted Grand Vitara models come with a new front bumper and grille, fresh fabric seat trims and two new exterior paint colours: Gaia Bronze and Bison Brown. All models also feature six airbags, electronic stability control, cruise control, remote central locking and power windows.

The current Grand Vitara was launched here in September 2005, before receiving a major midlife facelift in September 2008 and extra standard equipment last October.

Facelifted Suzuki Grand Vitara pricing:
Three-door manual $24,990 drive-away
Three-door auto  $26,990 drive-away
Urban 2WD manual $26,990 drive-away
Urban 2WD auto $28,990 drive-away
Sport 4WD manual $31,490 drive-away
Sport 4WD auto $33,490 drive-away
Prestige 4WD auto $38,990 drive-away
DDiS 4WD manual $35,990 drive-away

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