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Suzuki Grand Vitara

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Suzuki Grand Vitara Review, For Sale, Specs, Models & News in Australia

Suzuki pioneered the small 4x4 off-roader with the original LJ/Jimny/Sierra from 1970, and then built on that with the larger and far-more civilised Vitara from 1988.

Unlike the car-based Toyota RAV4 revealed five years later, that first Vitara retained its predecessors' rugged body-on-frame construction style and 4WD capability. That off-road focus was carried through to the succeeding FT Grand Vitara in 1997 as well as the JT from 2005 to 2018.

Offered in three-door short-wheelbase or five-door long-wheelbase shapes, the JT differed from the previous Grand Vitara in ditching body-on-frame for monocoque construction, though it gained a built-in ladder-frame-like section for added strength. Note that the solid rear axle gave way to a multi-link suspension arrangement, though ground clearance and approach angles remained high.

Along with a 2.4-litre four-cylinder petrol engine and a 3.2-litre V6, a 1.9-litre turbo diesel was also available.

The cheapest grade starts from $16,720, rising to $30,250 for the most expensive version.

This vehicle is also known as Suzuki Escudo.

Suzuki Grand Vitara Q&As

Check out real-world situations relating to the Suzuki Grand Vitara here, particularly what our experts have to say about them.

  • My 2010 Suzuki Grand Vitara is displaying an error code and the engine check light is broken

    You have at least two separate problems here. The first is the error code suggesting the camshafts are out of phase (retarded). This is often the result of the cam-chain having stretched and requiring replacement. Fundamentally, once the chain stretches, the on-board computer detects this and illuminates the check-engine light as well as logging the fault code. If this is the case, the repairs could easily run into the thousands. However, it could also be a fault with the sensor that reads the camshaft position or something else altogether, but the timing chain would be the prime suspect. It could also cause a slow idle such as you've noted.

    The second problem is that the check-engine light was either broken or deliberately disabled to disguise the fault with the cam-chain. I'm certainly not accusing the seller of doing this, but it can't be ruled out. And yes, an illuminated check-engine light is a roadworthy item, so the car would (or should) not have passed a roadworthy inspection with the lamp illuminated.

    Whether the roadworthy tester is at fault will come down to whether they knew the check-engine light was faulty or not. Of course, if the light was already broken when the car was presented for inspection, that would muddy the waters further.

    I sincerely hope you bought the car from a licensed car dealer and not a private seller. If it was the latter, you'll have little to no chance of gaining compensation for what could be a very expensive problem. But if you bought the car from a dealer, then you should have some come-back, especially once you prove that the check-engine light was either broken or disabled at the time you inspected the car prior to purchase. That's partly because of Australian consumer laws as well as the fact that the dealer needs to provide the roadworthy certificate and is responsible for its accuracy.

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  • What seven or eight-seater cars can be flat towed?

    The Suzuki Grand Vitara is kind of considered the last of the four-wheel-drives that can be successfully flat-towed. That’s because it has a driveline that has a neutral position where the wheels are entirely disconnected from the driveline. In cars without this facility, flat-towing is a no-go as damage will be done to the transmission if they are flat-towed (flat-towing, of course, referring to the practice of towing a vehicle without a trailer and, therefore, with all four of its wheels on the ground).

    Even in a vehicle with a conventional automatic transmission which does, indeed, have a neutral position, the gearbox would be destroyed by flat towing as the driveshaft will still be turning the inside of the transmission. A car with a manual transmission should be able to be flat-towed, but finding a new car with a clutch pedal these days will be the big challenge. Certainly that’s the case in the type of multi-seater vehicle you’ve nominated. And many modern four-wheel-drives and SUVs have permanent all-wheel-drive which is also mechanically unsuitable for flat-towing.

    The other catch is that a lot of car-makers say that flat-towing their product will void any driveline warranty. You need to check with each manufacturer before taking the plunge. And don’t forget that different states and territories have different rules about flat-towing (it is legal across Australia, but the details vary). You also need to keep in mind towing limits which vary across different makes and models. Flat-towing is big in North America, but it has never really caught on here.

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  • Does the 2017 Suzuki Grand Vitara 2.4 have a timing belt or a timing chain?

    The Suzuki J24B engine in your vehicle has a timing chain and not a timing belt. The chain should be good for the life of the engine provided the engine is serviced correctly.

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  • What engine coolant should I use in my 2009 Suzuki Grand Vitara?

    Many owners of Suzukis of this era are shifting from the original green-coloured coolant to the long-life blue type (believe it or not, engine coolants are broadly identifiable by colour these days). Make sure that whatever brand you buy is borate and silicate-free, as this is important for Japanese engines (European engines, in comparison, need Phosphate-free coolant).

    If you’re still unsure, you can buy coolant form a Suzuki dealership spare parts department and know that you’re getting the right product. One other tip; don’t mix coolants. Like oils, coolants are a sophisticated blend of base-product and additives and these formulations, when mixed, can cancel out some of the protection you’re paying for.

     

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Disclaimer: You acknowledge and agree that all answers are provided as a general guide only and should not be relied upon as bespoke advice. Carsguide is not liable for the accuracy of any information provided in the answers.

Suzuki Grand Vitara Towing Capacity

The Suzuki Grand Vitara has maximum towing capacity of 1850kg for the latest model available.

Year Body Type Braked Capacity from Braked Capacity to
2019 SUV 1600kg 1850kg
2018 SUV 1600kg 1850kg
2017 SUV 1600kg 1850kg
2016 SUV 1600kg 1850kg
2015 SUV 1600kg 1850kg
See All Towing Capacity for Suzuki Grand Vitara

Suzuki Grand Vitara Dimensions

The dimensions of the Suzuki Grand Vitara SUV vary according to year of manufacture and spec level.

Year Body Type Height x Width x Length Ground Clearance
2019 SUV 1695x1810x4060 mm 200 mm
2018 SUV 1695x1810x4060 mm 200 mm
2017 SUV 1695x1810x4060 mm 200 mm
2016 SUV 1695x1810x4060 mm 200 mm
2015 SUV 1695x1810x4060 mm 200 mm
The dimensions shown above are for the base model. See All Suzuki Grand Vitara Dimensions

Suzuki Grand Vitara Models Price and Specs

The price range for the Suzuki Grand Vitara varies based on the trim level you choose. Starting at $16,720 and going to $30,250 for the latest year the model was manufactured. The model range is available in the following body types starting from the engine/transmission specs shown below.

Year Body Type Specs Price from Price to
2019 SUV 2.4L, —, 5 SP MAN $16,720 $30,250
2018 SUV 2.4L, —, 5 SP MAN $14,850 $29,150
2017 SUV 2.4L, —, 5 SP MAN $13,750 $26,180
2016 SUV 2.4L, —, 5 SP MAN $12,320 $28,160
2015 SUV 2.4L, —, 5 SP MAN $10,340 $24,750
See All Suzuki Grand Vitara Pricing and Specs

Suzuki Grand Vitara Wheel Size

The Suzuki Grand Vitara has a number of different wheel and tyre options. When it comes to tyres, these range from 225x70 R16 for SUV in 2019 with a wheel size that spans from 16x6.5 inches.

Year Body Type Front Tyre Size Front Rim Rear Tyre Size Rear Rim
2019 SUV 225x70 R16 16x6.5 inches 225x70 R16 16x6.5 inches
2018 SUV 225x70 R16 16x6.5 inches 225x70 R16 16x6.5 inches
2017 SUV 225x70 R16 16x6.5 inches 225x70 R16 16x6.5 inches
2016 SUV 225x70 R16 16x6.5 inches 225x70 R16 16x6.5 inches
2015 SUV 225x70 R16 16x6.5 inches 225x70 R16 16x6.5 inches
The dimensions shown above are for the base model. See All Suzuki Grand Vitara Wheel Sizes

Suzuki Grand Vitara Fuel Consumption

The Suzuki Grand Vitara is available in a number of variants and body types that are powered by — and ULP fuel type(s). It has an estimated fuel consumption starting from 8.8L/100km for SUV /— for the latest year the model was manufactured.

Year Body Type Fuel Consumption* Engine Fuel Type Transmission
2019 SUV 8.8L/100km 2.4L 5 SP MAN
2018 SUV 8.8L/100km 2.4L 5 SP MAN
2017 SUV 8.8L/100km 2.4L 5 SP MAN
2016 SUV 8.8L/100km 2.4L 5 SP MAN
2015 SUV 8.7L/100km 2.4L 5 SP MAN
2015 SUV 8.8L/100km 2.4L ULP 5 SP MAN
* Combined fuel consumption See All Suzuki Grand Vitara Pricing and Specs for 2019