Suzuki Grand Vitara V6 auto 2005 review

The first evidence came this year with the Euro-style Swift, one of this year's star cars and an all-round top drive.

Now we have tested the latest Grand Vitara and know Suzuki cannot go back.

The four-wheel-drive flagship is much more refined, much better in all conditions, and still priced to compete in the compact class.

Explore the 2005 Suzuki Grand Vitara range

• Suzuki Grand Vitara 2005 review
• Suzuki Grand Vitara V6 auto 2005 review
• Suzuki Grand Vitara V6 2005 review

Earlier Vitaras, and even the basic baby, Jimmy, were all right, but not close to the class leaders.

And they concentrated more on doing the job in the bush than being the kind of suburban-style four-wheel-drives that have cashed-in during the worldwide growth in this class.

This Grand Vitara has the refinement and comfort that was missing, but will still go seriously into the outback. It looks a lot nicer than before, not just a box, and cabin design is better.

Suzuki has also spread the enjoyment with three and five-door wagons and a choice of engines, from a 1.6-litre four to a 2.7-litre V6.

The price spread is smart, too, from $23,990 to $32,990, and you can add options, including alloy wheels, cruise control and a hard cover for the rear-mounted spare.

The Grand Vitara is not a total success — we're not fans of the V6 or the park-bench back seat — but there's a lot to like.

We first enjoyed the newcomer at a couple of press previews that put it through all sorts of conditions, from stop-start city running to mud and sand.

The Grand Vitara surprised us as much as the new Swift had.

A full-scale test just proved the points. Suzuki has adopted a similar approach with the Grand Vitara to that taken with the Swift.

It has stepped outside its Japanese comfort zone — and the development targets for earlier models — to create a vehicle that is more than just a bush-baby price fighter.

Competition in the four-wheel-drive world has never been tougher and Suzuki knew it had to change its approach to compete with everything from the Toyota RAV4 and Nissan X-Trail to the Kia Sportage and the Hyundai Tucson.

Even the Subaru Forester and Outback are included in the compact four-wheel-drive class, and some people will also shop the Grand Vitara against Jeeps in the medium class.

Toyota is preparing an all-new RAV4 for Australia early next year that threatens to rewrite the rules.

Until then, the Grand Vitara is about as good as it gets in the class and the company should have no trouble hitting its target of 5500 cars a year.

The car has fully independent suspension for the first time, and a four-wheel-drive system that handles serious off-road work.

Airconditioning and CD sound are part of the package and the cabin has all the right equipment.

The Grand Vitara has twin front airbags and anti-skid brakes, which should be compulsory in every car, though it has only rear drum brakes.

ON THE ROAD

SUZUKI has jumped to the front of the class with this Grand Vitara. It beats the RAV4 and X-Trail because it has the strengths of each without the weaknesses.

The Suzuki offers the best of both worlds — the suburban strengths of the Toyota and the Nissan's ability in the bush.

It has commendable quality, is good value and there is a nice spread of models.

Suzuki expects most buyers to have a family focus that will take them into the five-door wagon, with the V6 being the top choice in the engine room.

But the company has spread its bets by continuing with the short-wheelbase three-door for younger buyers and weekend fun runners.

But don't think it is perfect. We tested the V6 automatic, which is meant to be the hero car, but found a coward in the nose.

The 2.7-litre V6 is not nearly punchy or responsive enough, and we often had to use the shift lever to stir things along.

Part of the problem is that the engine takes too long to hit its straps and maximum torque is way up at 4500 revs.

On top of that, 135kW is not that great when you have at least 1640kg to haul and probably more with a family and luggage inside.

The automatic, though a five-speed, is also slow to respond. And when it does, it often makes a violent kickdown shift.

The upside to the weakness is pretty good economy. It averaged 11.1 litres/100km during our time, but that is also a result of using a light foot in order to avoid the jerky shifts and planning well ahead for less-intrusive overtaking moves.

Our only other complaint is the parkbench rear seat. It is far too upright and thinly padded for adult comfort.

So, with that out of the way, it is easy to say that the Grand Vitara rides really nicely, handles well, is beautifully built and copes easily with any conditions.

It is easy to park, has excellent headlamps and is easy to load. The sound system is good and the airconditioning excellent.

We were surprised by the firm-but-compliant ride, which means it does well on the bitumen and keeps its tyres planted when you head into the bush. It would take a serious off-roader to find a challenge the car could not overcome.

It is also easy around the city, which is why it's going to sell better than earlier Vitaras and sit comfortably in showrooms beside the Swift.

THE BOTTOM LINE

14/20

A GREAT improvement in Suzuki four-wheel-drives, but the edge is blunted by a lacklustre V6 engine and automatic.