2010 Suzuki Grand Vitara Reviews

Overview

In a segment dominated by car-based crossovers offering only a pretense of off-road capability, Suzuki's Grand Vitara is refreshingly different, combining unexpected on-road refinement with an aggressive dose of off-road capability. The Suzuki Grand Vitara gets a more powerful V6 engine, a trendy grille and front bumper design. The trendy options include hill descent control and a hill hold feature. The 2010 Suzuki Grand Vitara is a compact five-passenger SUV that comes in four trim levels related to drive train: Base, Premium, XSport and Luxury. It is backed by America?s #1 Warranty: a 100,000-mile/seven-year, fully transferable, zero-deductible powertrain limited warranty.

Powertrain And Performance

A choice of two engines is available for the RWD 2010 Suzuki Grand Vitara. The 2.4-liter inline-4 cylinder engine rated at 166 hp and 162 pound-feet of torque can be paired with either a five-speed manual transmission (on Base and Premium trims only) or a four-speed automatic (standard on XSport and Luxury models). The trendy 3.2-liter V6 engine yields 230 hp and 213 lb-ft of torque; both trims come standard with a five-speed automatic transmission. The RWD four-cylinder models with the manual transmission deliver 19 mpg in city and 26 mpg on highways. The automatic inline-4 gets 19/25/21 mpg -- the same rating as the 4WD version with the manual transmission. The automatic 4WD gets 19/23/20 mpg. V6-powered models get 18/24/20 with rear-wheel drive and 17/23/19 with 4WD. When properly equipped, the Grand Vitara tows up to a competitive 3,000 pounds.

Build And Styling

The trims equipped with a V6 engine come only in XSport and Luxury. The Base Grand Vitara models come standard with 16-inch steel wheels, automatic headlights, remote keyless entry, full power accessories, cruise control, automatic climate control, steering-wheel-mounted audio controls and a four-speaker stereo with a single CD/MP3 player. The Premium adds a hard-shelled spare wheel cover, privacy glass, and a cargo cover. Premium 4WD models also get heated side view mirrors. The XSport trim features 16-inch alloy wheels (optional on Premium), a sunroof, roof rails and fog lamps. The fully loaded Luxury models have 17-inch alloy wheels, leather upholstery, heated front seats, silver and wood print interior trim and additional speakers for the audio system. The corresponding trim levels on V6-powered models are almost identical to their four-cylinder counterparts, but the V6 XSport comes with 17-inch alloy wheels, while the Luxury has standard 18-inch wheels. A rear back-up camera with rearview mirror display, an auxiliary audio jack and Bluetooth phone connectivity (the latter two of which are dealer installed) are among the options. An Appearance package with a side step and textured fender flares is optional on XSport models.

Safety Features

The Anti-lock brake system (ABS) of the 2010 Suzuki Grand Vitara keeps the wheels from locking and skidding during panic stop situations. This allows the driver to maintain directional stability and steer out of trouble. Electronic Stability Program (ESP) with Traction Control System (TCS), Electronic Brake-force Distribution (EBD), Advanced, dual-stage driver and weight-sensing front-passenger airbags Supplemental Restraint System (SRS), daytime running lamps, tire pressure monitoring system and rear child-seat LATCH system (Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children) are standard. A rear view vision camera is optional on XSport and Luxury.