Suzuki Grand Vitara Advice

Suzuki offers a capped-price servicing program for all of its current models, with the company’s Australian arm labelling it Suzuki Genuine Servicing.

The global financial crisis is now in the pages of history but car makers like Suzuki are still feeling its impact.In Japan, the GFC hit hard and most makers wound back on development spending and also on the quality of their cars. The lifespan of some cars was stretched and others were renewed with a lot of carryover parts and thinking.The likes of Honda, Mitsubishi and Subaru reasoned they had to step back to go forward but Hyundai and Kia of Korea accelerated briskly at the same time and that's why they now build a lot of Japanese-style cars — think i30 and Sportage for a start — that are better than Japanese cars.At Suzuki, the GFC hit particularly hard. The Kizashi has not been renewed, the latest Swift is only a minor improvement and we're still waiting to see what will happen to the Grand Vitara. But there is a new S-Cross in the SUV space and the Alto tiddler, a car that only sells on price, has just been rated by motor clubs as the cheapest car to run in Australia in 2014.The man who guided Suzuki through the GFC, Tony Devers, has just moved to a strategic post at Suzuki Australia and acknowledges the difficulties it caused. But he is typically upbeat."It is evident that Suzuki Motor Company took a very conservative approach throughout the GFC. However the research-and-development investment is now fully deployed and exciting new product is guaranteed for the short and mid-term," he says."Indeed, we will have at least one new Suzuki model every year for the next five years. You will see an aggressive marketing campaign from us in the short term as we build toward the arrival of exciting new product in the Celerio and iV4 in early 2015."Despite the setback, Suzuki cars are still among the best on warranty claims in Australia, they have a bulletproof reputation on the used-car front and, Devers says, pricing will stay sharp as the company gets on top of supply problems last year that have affected its sales total this year."I enjoy a challenge and am confident of our ability to turn around a slow start with a strong finish," he says. "The pipeline is now back at full production and May signals the return to normal stock levels for the first time this year."He takes issue with the view that Suzuki dropped the S-Cross price twice. "We launched the car at $23,990 drive-away for the GL to cover the initial shipment, which was not as big as we would have liked," Devers says."Last month we moved that price to $22,990, which was always our intended price point when we had sufficient stock."  CHOICESSuzuki Swift - From $15,990 - see reviewsRating: 3.5/5Engine: 1.4-litre 4-cyl, 70kW/130NmTransmission: 5-speed man, 4-speed auto; FWDThirst: From 5.5L/100kmLowdown: A long-term Carsguide favourite, though it's not as much fun as it once was and price pressure has made some rivals — including the VW Polo — more attractive. Four-speed auto is a fail but still honest and solid value, reflected in its class leading sales.Susuki Kizashi - From $28,990 - see reviewsRating: 3/5Engine: 2.4-litre 4-cyl, 131kW/230NmTransmission: 6-speed man/CVT; FWD/AWDThirst: From 7.9L/100kmLowdown: A sharper price would help its cause, as there is rabid battling in the medium-car class. It is a great drive and quality is good but it comes up against Camry and the crew and suffers because the cabin is more pinched than its rivals Suzuki Grand Vitara - From $24,990 - see reviewsRating: 3.5/5Engine: 2.4-litre 4-cyl, 122kW/225Nm; 1.9-litre 4-cyl turbodiesel, 95kW/300NmTransmission: 5-speed man, 4-speed auto; AWDThirst: From 6.8L/100kmLowdown: Hidden gem that's easy to recommend to friends and people who need a realistic 4WD. Not just a show pony and can handle proper off-road challenges and towing without breaking the bank. Not as flashy as some rivals.SECOND-HANDThe Swift has become a Carsguide best-buy for parents with first-time drivers. It has a reputation for reliability to match any Toyota, is cheap to run and is pretty good on the safety front.It's also light to handle, easy to park and gentle on the bowsers. For youngsters, it also has a trendy look that is enhanced with a Sport Package that doesn't go crazy on the performance side of the deal.It's good to drive but not a monster. The Swift is always worth a look if you're shopping for a Yaris or Mazda2 for city-and-suburban work, and can make a value choice from a Japanese brand that is as bankable as the best.

Several car brands are boosting their new car warranties, as quality improvements reduce costs. Around the world, cars are getting better and buyers are getting a bulletproof bonus. Warranty costs and claims are falling dramatically at most major makers and that's a reflection of improved quality from the first computer strokes through to the final assembly.There are still flaws, and risk-averse management is rushing to recalls at the first signs of potential trouble, but the overall trend is very positive for most new-car buyers.Renault says its warranty costs in Australia have fallen by a whopping 68 per cent over the past six years, a result that has justified a five-year unlimited-kilometre warranty that's even been extended to its Renault Sport performance cars.At Kia, warranty costs since 2005 have dropped by nearly three-quarters. And that's despite the number of cars covered by the company's five-year warranty umbrella more than doubling."Using 2005 as the baseline, costs per unit in June this year were down by 71.2 per cent," says Kia spokesman Kevin Hepworth. "At that time, in 2005, the Kia carpark was roughly 60,000 cars under warranty. Now there are more than 140,000 under warranty. So numbers have doubled and costs have more than halved." There was a time when Suzuki boasted that the warranty cost on its Vitara was just $12 for each car sold in Australia. That's an incredibly low figure and illustrates the benefits to buyers.The trend at Suzuki is continuing a similar downward path to most of the majors, with a double-digit improvement since 2010. "Our warranty costs have dropped 11.9 per cent over the past three years," says spokesman Andrew Ellis. He won't go into details but a Suzuki service chief contacted by Carsguide confirms the warranty cost in 2013 was little more than $20 for each car sold. This is probably an industry-leading result."The longer-term trend is greater reliability and less cost for the consumer. We see this trend being maintained," Ellis says. But not every brand is driving its claims down, as Hyundai says a vastly bigger pool of cars and more costly cars has led to a slight increase in its warranty costs over the past three years."Marginally increased warranty costs are to be expected with this shift," Hyundai spokesman Bill Thomas says. "We may see slightly increased warranty costs per unit as we sell more premium vehicles, because people have correspondingly higher expectations of those vehicles. It's not to do with diminished reliability. Ultimately, the customer is the winner."CHOICESRENAULT CLIO RS200 **** - see reviewsPrice: from $29,290 Engine: 1.6-litre 4-cyl turbo, 147kW/240Nm Transmission: 6-speed double-clutch auto;  FWD Thirst: 6.3L/100km Lowdown: The Megane RS is better known but its baby brother is more fun. The Clio from Renault Sport is a genuine pocket rocket that's now protected by a five-year warranty, great news for people who like to drive.KIA SPORTAGE *** 1/2 - see reviewsPrice: from $25,990Engine: 2.0-litre 4-cyl, 122kW/205Nm Transmission: 6-speed man/auto; FWD Thirst: from 8.2L/100km Lowdown: The Sportage is a long-term Carsguide favourite because of its value and class, but it's also one of the most trouble-free Kia models. A starter variant with front-wheel drive makes the value even better.SUZUKI GRAND VITARA *** - see reviewsPrice: from $24,990 Engine: 2.4-litre 4-cyl, 122kW/225Nm Transmission: 5-speed man, 4-speed auto; RWD Thirst: from 8.7L/100km Lowdown: Hidden gem in SUV land that's just about bulletproof and incredibly capable as a 4WD. Now also winning friends as an affordable, three-door, front-drive price leader and suburban runabout.