2009 Suzuki Grand Vitara

To get Americans out of sport/utility vehicles, it’s going to take a lot more than a feeble economy and the constant threat of rising gasoline prices. That’s made true because of lower-priced, more fuel-efficient SUVs such as the 2009 Suzuki Grand Vitara. With a starting price of about $19,600 (including destination and handling) and fuel economy of up to 26 miles per gallon in the government’s highway driving test, the Grand Vitara allows owners to keep most of what they like about driving an SUV and eliminate much of what they don’t.

Value and Capabilities

Traditionalists will appreciate the Grand Vitara’s front-engine, rear- or four-wheel-drive layout. They’ll also like the ladder-style frame that reinforces the vehicle’s unibody chassis. Those who tackle serious off-road obstacles will need the low-range gearing that comes with its four-wheel-drive system. The Grand Vitara’s prime competitors are based on front-wheel-drive cars and lack both the chassis reinforcement and low-range gearing needed for off-road motoring. Unlike old-style four-wheel drive, which could be used only on slippery surfaces, the Grand Vitara’s system offers a “full-time” mode that allows operation on dry pavement.


For many, the Grand Vitara’s prime feature will be its low starting price: Its manufacturer’s suggested retail price is among the lowest—if not the lowest—for any SUV. Its 100,000-mile limited warranty on the powertrain also helps the Grand Vitara turn heads.


For this evaluation, Suzuki loaned us a rear-wheel-drive, automatic-transmission Grand Vitara XSport equipped with the 166-horsepower 2.4-liter double overhead cam four-cylinder engine. Unless you’re really going to go off road (not just off pavement) or face deep snow, rear-drive is more than adequate. And the 2.4-liter four is plenty powerful unless you do most of your driving at high altitude or regularly carry very heavy loads.

Power and Mileage

When equipped with the electronically controlled four-speed automatic and four-cylinder, the Grand Vitara is rated at 19 mpg in the government’s city driving test and 25 mpg in the highway regime. With a large 17.4-gallon fuel tank, the Grand Vitara promises a very long 400-plus-mile cruising range. Towing capacity is 3,000 pounds. That’s considerably higher than four-cylinder versions of other compact SUVs.