Advantages: Reliable, powerfull, easy round town and good on the motorway
Disadvantages: Heavy on fuel (V6) and choppy ride on rough roads

...I bought a Grand Vitara 2.5 V6 for my wife in 2000, and have to say that it has been very good. She enjoys driving it as it's not too big for town, she can see over the bonnets of other cars and it has a powerful engine. It's been reliable with the only real problem the replacement of the radiator at 60,000 miles. The alloy wheels still clean up like new and there is no corrosion on the body. It copes well on the motorway and is quite quiet, however it is very heavy on fuel and I doubt if it does much more than 20 mpg on a run. As she only does 3,000 miles p.a. and around town it really isn't an issue. The suspension is a bit too firm on rough roads and. The interior is cheap and cheerful but has lasted well, all except for the rear load cover where the plastic covering to the stays has broken off. Overall it has been a satisfactory... Read review

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Advantages: Solid,safe feel, comfortable, Reliable
Disadvantages: Selectable 4 wheel drive,

...I have owned my Grand Vitara 2.5 V6 for some time now and it still fills me with joy when i see it on the drive, such is the pleasure it is to drive and be seen in. Admittedly i nearly didn’t buy it as i thought it would be too expensive to run compared to my 1600cc Skoda, but this has not proved to be the case. Interior The Grand Vitara has a spacious cabin with every thing you need to reach easily accessible, although i did engage the wipers a few times instead of indicators as these controls are reversed on japanese cars. Steering is height adjustable and all seating reclines for maximum comfort for passengers and driver. I recently completed a 4 and a half hour journey without feeling the need to stop en route, something i have never managed in any other vehicle. Engine The 2.5 V6 engine roars to life when you turn the key... Read review

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Advantages: Reliability, Driving Position
Disadvantages: Not too good in cross-winds

...so rather than replace it I've left the front hubs in the drive position, the only downside is a little bit more noise and slightly worse mpg. Suzuki recommend operating the freewheel hubs on a regular basis - you've been warned! Would I buy another? - if they still made it then YES. I can't say that I like the current Vitara in quite the same way (wonder why they call the SWB one 'Grand'?). It's lost the charm of the original and has too many gadgets like electric windows, central locking etc which to my mind aren't necessary on a base vehicle. Come on Suzuki, let's have another no-nonsense no-frills small 4x4 - you know it's what you do best!... Read review

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Advantages: Great service, good deals
Disadvantages: None!

...there was only one sales person in the dealership, his name was Matt. Matt was very happy to see me as being January it was quiet (January is the best month to by a car as sales are low after Christmas). I told him of my issue with my current Suzuki and he pointed out the two diesel's he had available (the two I was looking at) one was a Vitara 2.0 T reg and the other was Grand Vitara 2.0 TD 51 reg, prices were £7000 for the first and £11,000 for the latter. Matt, despite for the commission, got the keys to both cars and told my to go and have a drive to see which one I liked best. They were both nice but I couldn't really afford the Grand Vitara it was a bit out of my price range. Back at the dealership it was time to talk turkey, how much would they give me for my Suzuki and what would they be willing to knock off the new one. After about 30... Read review

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Advantages: Highly competitive on price.
Disadvantages: Low power.

...Newly arrived in Colombia a 1st priority was to find a SUV that suited the terrain and my pocket. Should it be a locally manufactured "look-a like" (cheaper, but would it work?) or an imported authentic (ouch, the price!). My most recent references, a Mitsubishi Pajero, a Cherokee Jeep and a Chevrolet Grand Vitara had all provided me with mixed periods of joy and anguish. My choice finally came down to the Kia Sportage or a Toyota Suma, both at about the same price of $ 22,000 (2003 model). Further enquiries decided me on the Kia which suffered relatively few car thefts in comparison with "top spot attraction" Toyota. The Kia purchase did not come without some doubts as I wondered if their limited experience in manufacturing SUV's had enabled them to iron out the inevitable, initial kinks. Now, some 12 months later, I am able... Read review

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Advantages: Excellent Fun
Disadvantages: Not comfy on long Journeys

...Im the proud owner of a Black Suzuki Vitara JLX. It is my Second Vitara that I have owned after having a Blue JX before this one. I traded my old one in because it lacked the following features: The REALLY wide Wheel arches The REALLY wide Wheels Power Steering Leather interior. They were both Soft tops though. Now, I feel, I can comment on the cars seen as I have quite a bit of experience with them. Build Quality. They look very nice tidy cars on the outside but dont let that fool you. They are quite rattly inside. Not as bad as the SJ413 though. Every bump and hump causes a rattle somewhere. Ride comfort. The power steering on my new jeep make the ride a lot easier from a driving perspective but dont buy one if you intend on doing lots of miles in it on long journeys. They are not built for it. Body Styling... Read review

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Advantages: Looks good inside and out.
Disadvantages: Light on steering, weak plastic handles, high fuel useage in urban areas

...In 1999, my wife and I gained a Suzuki Vitara on the Motorbility Scheme (my wife is disabled). The vehicle attracted us mainly because of the ease to get into and out of the vehicle, as well as the fact that it is a nice looking car. Within the first year of our three year contract, we could not wait to the day we hand the vehicle back over. In Suzuki`s defence, the vehicle is comfortable inside and all the controls are neatly laid out. The 4x4 has also been useful in winter conditions, especially in the Peak District area where we now live. However, that is all the good points that I have been able to find with this vehicle. The car itself is VERY light on the steering and there have been a number of occasions where a heavy gust of wind has literally taken the vehicle off the road. The rear luggage compartment is very... Read review

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Advantages: Looks Great
Disadvantages: Read The Article

...What can I tell you about the Vitara.... Let's begin by saying I own a V Reg JX 1.6................ And what a mistake that was! Don't get me wrong, there a great looking motor that's reasonably good off road but... when it comes to comfort, power, speed, city driving, motor way driving and economy there's nothing worse on the road. This car drinks petrol and I often find that my wallets empty due to this. If your taking this car out on the motorway- HOLD TIGHT, if the wind catches you, you in trouble. There's no power in the tiny 1.6i engine either - If you don't believe me here's a little test for................. Go out on a test drive in one, put your foot down on the excelerator but watch in horror as the little old lady on a pedal bike speeds past you. Seriously though - It's a nice car if your after looks and not all... Read review

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Advantages: None
Disadvantages: Overpriced for such low quality, don't even fill up your tank when you buy a new car!

...I have already written my opinion on the severe mistake i made of purchasing a Vitara, well now I have to state my opinion on the car dealership. I bought the Vitara 4U from the dealer in Croydon, from a salesman called Gary - very good at his job he pressurised me into hurrying up and putting down a deposit on the new car as he said they were running out of stock. This was the first lie - yes i know i shouldn't have believed him - you don't need to tell me that now. I've learnt. Anyway i put down a deposit and handed over my lovely Renault Clio, which i bitterly regret doing! They gave me a low price for the car...and then when it came to picking up my new Vitara i had to wait at the dealership until an employee had returned. They had used the car and put about 20 miles on the clock. I was not impressed...then starting the car I... Read review

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Advantages: fun to drive, sturdy and reliable
Disadvantages: Parts are expensive, thirsty if thrashed

...I really did not want my wife to pander to middleclass stereotype of the 4X4 mafia, charging the mean urban streets in there pointless gross trucks. Protecting there own family by endangering everybody else with there bulky petrol swilling tanks. But she wanted a "baby vitara" it was Japaneese so would be reliable, and handy for taking to the beach , camping and the like. And sadly she was right, the Vit has now done 102,000 miles and little has ever gone wrong ( clutch at 90,000 and a new exhaust ) . Its fun to drive , but only if your definition of fun is loosing the rear end on wet islands. And its easy to park, beacause even if you miss judge the space the robustness of the bumpers and panel means you can ram your way in to spaces that a smart car would struggle with. The driving positon is excellant, up high, looking own... Read review

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