2008 Suzuki Grand Vitara

2008 Suzuki Grand Vitara Quick Facts

Base Price:	$19,349
Price as Tested:	$21,019
Horespower:	185 Hp @ 6000 rpm
Torque:	184 lbs.-ft. @ 4500 rpm
0 to 60:	N/A
ABS Brakes:	Standard
Side Curtain Airbags:	Standard
EPA Fuel:	16/21 m.p.g. city/highway
Towing Capability:	No
Off-Road Capability:	Yes
First-Aid Kit:	N/A
Notes/Additional Info.:	Base price does not include a $650 delivery charge.

Compact sport-utility vehicles are easy to find. Compact SUVs with full-time four-wheel drive are not. Finding one priced under $20,000 is even tougher, since the four-wheel drive mechanism adds several thousand dollars to the starting price.

Unlike its all-wheel drive competitors, the Suzuki Grand Vitara’s four-wheel drive system has a two-speed transfer case, so the driver can use extremely low gears to navigate uneven trails. It also has a neutral mode for flat towing behind a recreational vehicle.

Priced at $19,349, the Grand Vitara is a well-equipped five passenger vehicle with standard antilock brakes, side curtain airbags, electronic stability program and a full-sized spare. The 2.7-liter V6 engine paired up with a five-speed manual transmission has plenty of power to perform well in urban traffic or on the open road.

The Grand Vitara is light as sport-utility vehicles go, making for a favorable power-to-weight ratio and good fuel economy. The low-compression engine runs just fine on 87 octane gas, and the seventeen gallon tank gives the Grand Vitara plenty of range between fill-ups.

Towing capacity is 3000 pounds: not enough to meet our ALV minimum standards, but capable of pulling a small trailer. Roof rails are standard equipment on all trim levels.

2008 Upgrades

The current models debuted in 2006 for the 2007 model year. This year, Suzuki adds a remote fuel door release, a new climate control head unit and better sound deadening materials to reduce noise intrusion to the interior. In addition to the base model I drove, there are two upscale grades: the XSport and Luxury starting at $22,349 and $23,749 respectively.

Pedestrian Protection

The Grand Vitara is unibody constructed with an integrated ladder frame, giving it the torsional stiffness to handle off-road driving. If there's an accident involving a pedestrian, the Grand Vitara's hood will absorb some of the impact to protect against head injuries. The front end and bumper are designed to reduce the risk of leg injuries.

 The four-wheel drive model has just under eight inches of ground clearance. Short front and rear overhangs give the Grand Vitara ample approach and departure angles: the truck can climb and descend steep grades without hitting the bumpers.

The four-mode four-wheel drive system includes an all-wheel drive setting that powers the rear axle for better fuel economy on paved roads. It transfers power to the front wheels as necessary to maintain traction in wet weather.

There are two off-road settings that utilize high and low-range gears, depending on the difficulty of the trail. Both engage the locking center differential to optimize traction at all four wheels. The neutral setting keeps mileage off the odometer if the owner flat tows the car behind a recreational vehicle. The full-sized spare is mounted on the tailgate where it's easy to get to, and protected by a hard tire case.