It didn't help my calls for a complete assessment of its purchase appeal when time after time the kids and I found something else to love about the sporty four-wheel-drive.
For me, it was the small things that made the difference.
For instance, the stereo volume control button on the steering wheel.
This enabled me to either play referee to the battling siblings or drown out the arguing.
As a height-challenged person, there were two outcomes I relished in the silver 2.7-litre V6.
First, I didn't need a ladder to hoist myself up into the driver's seat. Second, it was amazing at how different other drivers behaved when I was behind the wheel of a vehicle a little more imposing than my little hatchback. For a while there, I felt six feet tall.
Driving at night was an eye-opener in more ways than one – the lights even on low beam had an incredible span, far better than any car I had ever owned.
The Grand Vitara was surely a pleasure to drive. Plenty of room for the tribe, comfortable and a smooth ride.
It had great pickup and removed the stress in the daily commute from the Fleurieu to the city.
Advertised as a mix between bold and sleek, the V6 stunner was a head-turner, easy to get around in the city and shopping-centre car parks as well as smooth on the country roads.
Storage was great, with the rear seats of the five-seater able to not only be folded forward but into the leg area behind the driver, creating even more room.
Compartments of all sorts were everywhere; some I had to get my 12-year-old to work out how to open and shut.
Truth be told, I had to really scratch around to find reasons to justify not to run out and buy one the next week.
And it really is affordable to get behind the wheel – with prices for the three-door manual starting from $23,990, up to $32,990 for the five-door automatic.
LOVE IT LEAVE IT
Suzuki Grand Vitara
LOVE IT
The volume control. No more leaning over and taking eyes off the road.
Lights – driving at night was a whole new experience.
Roomy for the kids and great storage.
LEAVE IT
Fuel costs, if you are not prepared for them, are a bit of a shock. A full tank emptied at 420km, which raised a few questions in terms of long-distance driving.
A bit more road noise than expected in a new vehicle.
Suzuki Grand Vitara 2005: (4X4)
| Engine Type | V6, 2.7L |
|---|---|
| Fuel Type | Unleaded Petrol |
| Fuel Efficiency | 11.6L/100km (combined) |
| Seating | 5 |
| Price From | $5,720 - $8,030 |
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