2009 Suzuki Grand Vitara

Unlike most SUVs, which have liftgates, the Grand Vitara has a door-style rear opening. It’s hinged on the passenger side. For shorter people and those who have trouble closing liftgates, this door-type arrangement has notable advantages. The spare tire rides on the rear door, which gives the Grand Vitara a tough-guy off-road image and doesn’t reduce already sparse interior capacity.

Comfort and Safety

The Grand Vitara is not the most comfortable-riding or quiet SUV. Also, interior materials and configuration fall behind its competition from Toyota and Honda. But at least some of the Grand Vitara’s ride and noise issues can be attributed to its Yokohama Geolander G92 tires. Tire noise was quite high over some surfaces and on sharp impacts, such concrete highway expansion joints. Ride comfort, while adequate on relatively smooth surfaces, also suffered from impacts with potholes and pavement irregularities.


The Grand Vitara features side-curtain airbags, front-seat side airbags, electronic stability control and anti-lock brakes. In government crash tests, it scored four out of five stars in front impacts and five out of five in side impacts. Standard sound system has four speakers, a single disc CD player and MP3. Higher trim levels both seven speakers and a six-disc CD changer. Both have a speed-sensing control, which raises the volume at motion and lowers it when the vehicle slows.


If low purchase price and good fuel mileage are high on your required-features list, the 2009 Suzuki Grand Vitara is should be on your short list. (www.suzukiauto.com)

About the Author
Mac Demere is a writer, vehicle tester and race driver who competed in the NASCAR Southwest Tour and Rolex 24 Hours at Daytona.