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Driving Impressions

The Suzuki Grand Vitara offers two engines, a brand-new, unique-to-Suzuki, built-in-Japan 2.4-liter four-cylinder and a 3.2-liter V6. Both engines are all-aluminum and included in the zero-deductible, transferable 7 year/100,000-mile powertrain warranty.

Fuel mileage varies from 19/26 mpg EPA City/Highway for the four-cylinder 2WD manual to 17/23 mpg for a V6 automatic 4WD.

The 2.4-liter four-cylinder is quite competitive and goes about its business smoothly with minimal fuss, delivering 166 hp and 162 lb-ft of torque. You will floor it for uphill on-ramps and sand dunes, and it will happily deliver everything it has without sounding stressed, strained, or underpowered. Either transmission works well with it, and you'll get the best out of it with the manual.

The 3.2-liter V6 engine, also built in Japan, is a derivative of the high-feature V6 used as a 3.6-liter in the Suzuki XL7 and Cadillac CTS and the 2.8-liter turbo used in the Saab 9-3. The 3.2-liter version is designed for longitudinal use, as in the Grand Vitara and other trucks, as opposed to a transverse layout where the engine sits sideways, usually over the front drive wheels. The 3.2-liter delivers 230 hp at 6200 rpm, the same as the 3.2-liter, 400-pound heavier Land Rover LR2, and 213 lb-ft of torque at 3500 rpm through a five-speed automatic gearbox.

Smoothness and refinement characterize the V6 and the added oomph shows up more at highway speeds than around town or around the rocks. The fuel economy rating hit is relatively small because the V6 gets an extra gear in its automatic, but if you make a habit of using the extra 64 horsepower you will pay in mileage.

Two-wheel drive Grand Vitaras drive the rear wheels, a long-time staple of trucks and taxis and other working vehicles, and a favorite of enthusiasts for driving dynamics. 166 ponies do not make a hot-rod, but the Grand Vitara's ideal 50/50 weight distribution deliver good on-road handling and response and, with the traction control switched off, a heck of a lot of fun drifting around an off-highway vehicle park or snowy field.

With all-independent suspension the Grand Vitara gives up little in ride comfort to most car-based crossovers; in many cases where the crossovers use very low-profile tires the Suzuki rides better because the tires absorb more of the sharp impacts. The Grand Vitara quietly rolls down the highway, the steering and brakes working exactly as you expect with little effort. It might not be the ideal commuter car everywhere, but for rural Minnesota, New Mexico or Alaska, it makes a compelling argument with its decent fuel economy, non-punishing ride and solid build.

Two four-wheel drive systems are available, the single-mode system on Premium trim and a four-mode system on XSport and Luxury models. Both have low-range gearing to get you through slow-speed situations like steep ascents and high-load situations like deep sand and mud. The four-mode system has a setting for four-wheel drive on pavement, as you'd use in winter weather or extreme rain, and it normally drives both axles evenly but can deliver full power to either front or rear axle if needed. Both systems are controlled by a dash-mounted switch. A traction control component helps in very low friction surfaces, and proper axle gearing and torque converter setup ensure maximum use of available power.

While the Grand Vitara is more capable off the highway than most cute-utes and high wagons, it does not compete with the likes of Jeep's Wrangler or Hummer's H3, both heavier, more expensive, more severe-duty machines that extract a penalty in ride comfort and fuel economy. However, a Grand Vitara will handle small rocks, off-camber climbs, and water crossings deep enough that opening a door would flood the floor and the exhaust burbles like one of Suzuki's outboard motors; if you look under hood you'll find the engine air intake is located well up high and the area is quite serviceable by modern vehicle standards.

Tow rating for the Grand Vitara is 3,000 pounds, sufficient for a pair of personal watercraft, dirt bikes or small pop-up trailer, but a little shy for a bass boat. Grand Vitara 4-mode models may be pulled on all four wheels, as a dinghy behind a motorhome, following instructions in the owner's manual and proper fitting of an airbag-compliant tow bar.

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