MotorWeek Road Test: 2009 Suzuki Grand Vitara

MotorWeek Road Test: 2009 Suzuki Grand Vitara

[@dohc1067]

I honestly believe Suzuki would have lasted in the US if they had a relationship more like Mazda and Toyota. One of my wife's friends has a Sx4 and its been very reliable.

[@damilolaakanni]

They have a relationship with Toyota. Suzuki sells some rebadged Toyotas in other markets, and Toyota sells some rebadged Suzukis.

[@wtrdogg20]

That is True!!, Grand Vitara is the real deal when you are looking for a small SUV with TRUE 4X4 OFF ROAD PERFORMANCE.....just taking in consideration the Body on Frame Chasis and the low range gearbox it has, these are the most important specs to say that a SUV is a real off roader. It also offer confort, safety and refinement. I dont care about its V6 engine, I am very fine with the 4-cyl one.

[@craigsampson3386]

This generation Grand Vitara isn't a body on frame though.

[@Sadslantyface]

I still have mine and plan to keep her for another 160k miles! Love the versatility it’s a capable touring car as well as a decent performer on rugged trails! The all around best car fun rwd base model and offered in MANUAL

[@Sadslantyface]

It’s a 06 automatic rwd 2.7l v6

[@ronch550]

Still looks good in 2024.

[@craigslistseller9354]

Sure does!!!

[@volitanttitan8127]

My mom bought his car in 2009 and it's been the most reliable and comfortable car to drive. It's hasn't given a single problem! As a matter a fact! I enjoy driving more than my Ford Escape 2013, because the engine is so much smoother on the Suzuki. The Escape has a double clutch and the Suzuki being a regular NA 4 cylinder engine. Great suv with an excellent 4x4 system as well.

[@tuanh_duong]

Do you still have the vehicle? What engine do you have on the Grand Vitara?

[@volitanttitan8127]

Yes she still has the car. The 2.4 L 4cyl not the 6!

[@tuanh_duong]

+rob lipiec I see. Would you recommend a vehicle like this to a first time driver? I'm just worried about the fuel economy.

[@volitanttitan8127]

The fuel economy is awesome ! If it's a 4 cyl. And yes I'd recommend it for sure . Get the car checked out first of course.

[@mariaeugeniasandoval3561]

cuantos kilometros da porlitro

[@ProductofNZ]

Its amazing to me that Suzuki didn't perform well in the US despite this kind of offering. Capable, reliable, fuel efficient. Especially when you look at the competition (Ford Escape, Jeep Compass/Patriot, Chevy Equinox)

[@popanz25]

I had an 09 base with the 2.4l. Loved it. Unfortunately was too small for the growing family. Put over 75k in it in 3 years with no issues.

[@kirzo211]

I might get one with 100k miles. Same exact model as yours. Is it a good car?

[@adambadri2824]

I still adore this car after 8 yrs of extreme daily use. so bad suzuki decided to ditch this platform. Nice review tho 👍

[@Sig721Tau]

You can blame GM selling their majority share of Suzuki to Volkswagen. And they in turn, ditched the 3.2L V6 engine that help kill off this vehicle. I had a 2007 GV Xsport with the V6 and it was a fun little off-roader.

[@DaFireman33]

How was the fuel economy for ya?

[@AZfordtruck]

The Verona was a Korean made car as well

[@keithparker117]

i remember the commercial of the Grand Vitara.a guy got out his red parachute and got in the gran vitara.

[@Mythosa]

Actually the original XL-7 was fully suzuki. The late 2000's model was also made by suzuki, but suzuki used GM parts as per their "partnership" with GM. Problem is if you have crap parts there is only so much you can do. It's crap like the swift+ and others mentioned that caused issues for suzuki. Glad they are still here in Canada

[@Stakan79]

Lol, mine is still running. 250K miles.

[@Sadslantyface]

What big maintenance have you done n how many transmission flushed

[@Stakan79]

@@Sadslantyface , changed water pump, brakes, shocks, thermostat, serpentine belt and that’s it.

[@chepachii]

Where can I get one of those tan suits?

[@booksyn]

Very nice...it looks like a toyoya rav4...and interestingly enough I think 2006 was the same year both vehicle got a complete redesign!

[@itsPikachu]

I saw lots of them in Puerto Rico and a few in Massachusetts and Florida

[@ImpossiblyBlack]

I bought a 2006 Volkswagen GLI. I love the turbo inline 4. It is a little bit more expensive than a Verona but has much better performance and after market parts are much easier to come by for my car.

[@VintageRKO]

This is a 2009 video? It looks like its from 1999

[@DaBrute]

the euro-spec version is better though. the V6 comes with HID lights 17'' wheels AWD and leather all standard

[@mattr85]

John Davis, you said crossover and this is not. It's a truck first.

[@qcdriz]

I’m here in 2022

[@lili2sexc]

The xl-7 is american made joint venture with gm

[@FroggysProductions]

Suzuki should return to the us shouldn’t they

[@darrelldean9979]

I wish Suzuki would come back to the US market. I believe they would help take away Hyundai and Kia's market share.

[@TarasMagun]

I think it's just a rumor. How could V6 come from GM? It's designed and built in Japan. Plus, it's too good to be American

[@Existentialcrisis_1488]

Suzuki only used the block from GM, everything else was Suzuki. So yeah its basically 100% Suzuki lol

[@Stakan79]

It’s a GM engine. Comes from Australia. Holden is part of GM.

[@shawnp7597]

I agree, the engine didn't even sound like a GM engine

[@AZfordtruck]

Suzuki would have done so much better if they produced all there cars in Japan like the grand vatara, xl-7, and arieo...the junk like the Reno and forenza ( made by Daewoo in Korea) were what made them fail. They don't even sell Suzuki cars out here in arizona anymore

[@joxs111]

You didn't have a 4x4???

[@andrewerdna100]

@tbonedrumcam jeep?

[@adriantudhope]

Jeep stands for "Just empty every pocket"

[@ImpossiblyBlack]

The V6 comes from GM. Coincidentally I almost bought a Verona but found its performance was lacking, especially in the engine department.

[@Existentialcrisis_1488]

Suzuki only used the engine block, everything else was Suzuki parts

[@nervosaur]

the funny thing is here in Eastern Europe they sold them for almost twice as much to a target customer who relatively earns four times less...now tell me it ain't funny...

[@mariaeugeniasandoval3561]

traduselo en espñol

[@thepostalteenager2206]

Rest in peace ARO

[@uzoonuoha2574]

Great car, but appears that the back seat leg room is cramped.

[@Coordinator61]

Grand Vitara always have permanent four wheel drive.

[@Coordinator61]

@Peter J My one does, the 2400 cc one.(2008) Older ones maybe not. Its always in 4 WD high.

[@josema6694]

@Peter J The third gen 4wd variants do.

[@aeriegrove]

my god this video looks so dated! The on the other hand was stood the test of time

[@laithalsharji3566]

0-60 in 8sec are u kidding???? I do it in 2 sec

[@josema6694]

off a cliff...

[@nervosaur]

and they got weaker engines too... :)

[@ImpossiblyBlack]

Personally I wouldn't call my car reliable. I had a "87" Dodge Daytona back in "99" that was more reliable. That German engineering can be a real bitch sometimes>:(. But dammit if my car ain't fun to drive.

[@michaellovely6601]

My neighbor Wendy says that she doesn't like Suzuki because their engines sound like sewing machines.

[@josema6694]

Well, the V6 on my Grand Vitara is so smooth that if you place a coin on top of the engine, it can hold it upright.

[@michaellovely6601]

@@josema6694 Impressive.

[@craigslistseller9354]

​@josema6694 I van attest to that. My '09 3.2 XSport is smuuuuuuth!!!!

[@MichaelLovely-mr6oh]

​@@craigslistseller9354Lucky you!

[@wtrdogg20]

Sorry, but that Northamerican level of refinement is not enough, dude.....When they can be compared with real refinement like the European Refinement, let me know....BTW, Malibu is plenty on cheap plastics, pretending to be high quality materials.