2009 Suzuki Grand Vitara: Overview

Vehicle Highlights

The 2009 Suzuki Grand Vitara gets a standard 4-cylinder engine, a more powerful available V6, and slightly revised styling. This compact SUV seats five and has a side-hinged rear cargo door. Two new engines replace the previous 185-hp 2.7-liter V6. The first is a 166-hp 2.4-liter 4-cylinder that teams with either a 5-speed manual or 4-speed automatic transmission. The other option is a 230-hp 3.2-liter V6 that has a 5-speed automatic. Rear-wheel drive is standard. Two all-wheel-drive systems are offered: Single-mode AWD and Suzuki's "Four-Mode" AWD that includes a locking differential and low-range gearing. Base, Premium, Xsport, and Luxury trim levels are available. Base and Premium come only with the 4-cylinder and rear-wheel drive. Single-mode AWD is offered on the Premium. Xsport and Luxury come with the 4-cylinder or V6 and rear-wheel drive or Four-Mode AWD. Available safety features include ABS, traction control, antiskid system, curtain side airbags, and front side airbags. Hill ascent and descent control is standard on AWD Xsport and Luxury models.

COMPETITION

Consumer Guide Automotive places each vehicle into one of 18 classes based on size, price, and market position. Among utility vehicles, Compact SUVs are typically the least costly and offer the best fuel economy. Most utilize a car-type chassis and are not designed for heavy-duty, off-road use. Nearly all are five-passenger vehicles; some offer seating for seven.

Our Best Buys are the Honda CR-V, Suzuki Grand Vitara, and Volkswagen Tiguan. Our Recommended picks are the Saturn Vue and Toyota RAV4.

New or significantly redesigned models include the GMC Terrain, Subaru Forester, and Volkswagen Tiguan.