Suzuki Grand Vitara Review

Remember 1988? Lycra leggings, head-bands, shell suits and the arrival of the Suzuki Vitara, which became synonymous with all of the above.

The Grand Vitara took over in 1997, at which time, Suzuki was proud to be the market-leader in compact SUVs. So, the latest, third-generation, of this ‘lifestyle’ car has quite a lot to live up to.

Suzuki tells us that it wanted to retain and return to the Vitara’s roots and also engage new customers who would be more inclined to so-called ‘cross-over’ vehicles, tempting them with a car more capable than a soft-roader but with just as much sophistication and better dynamics both on and off-road.

There are two versions; 3- and 5-door. Both are wider, longer and lower than the models they have replaced. However, as well as the difference in the number of doors, there’s also a difference in attitude between the two.

The 3-door is more muscular and sporty and the 5-door tends more towards elegance. For example, where the larger Grand Vitara has blacked-out B-pillars, suggesting a single glazed expanse, the 3-door’s are more of a design feature, being more pronounced and resembling a roll-bar.

Both versions have longer wheelbases and wider tracks, front and rear, which not only makes the cars look sporty and capable but also lowers the centre of gravity for increased stability on and off-road.