2007 Suzuki Grand Vitara Dallas TX

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This trucklet has been a mainstay of the market for a long time, first as the Sidekick and Geo/Chevrolet Tracker, and the years' passing saw it morph into the Grand Vitara. Suzuki's little off-roader has always ridden a solid platform and been a decent (if Spartan) performer, but in recent years the Grand Vitara has been looking somewhat long in the tooth.

Thankfully, the brass at Suzuki agreed, and the Grand Vitara was all-new for 2006. Suzuki's compact sport-ute enters 2007 with only detail changes. The Grand Vitara offers handsome styling and an upgraded interior above, and unibody-on-frame construction similar to that used by Range Rover beneath. Dual-range four-wheel drive and an independent suspension help to improve performance off-road and on.

The new Grand Vitara has smooth lines and a much more modern, well-built look. Glassed-in headlamps and a dramatically sloped hood give this little SUV an aggressive face; at the rear, the side-opening door and externally-mounted spare are Grand Vitara styling cues that have been with us for a while. The angular design is a new look for Suzuki, and it's even more extreme on the larger XL7 debuting for 2007.

The drastically made-over interior doesn't look like the Suzukis we're familiar with, thanks to a three-pod instrument panel and a revised, easier to use center console. The change is welcome. Cheap-looking buttons have given way to more sophisticated dials on the stereo and climate control systems. It won't be mistaken for a Mercedes, but the Grand Vitara feels much more modern than it used to. Hidden behind the panels are six standard airbags. Headroom and legroom are generous, and Grand Vitara buyers can also get a keyless entry and start system like those commonly found in high-end luxury cars. The options list includes XM satellite radio and an in-dash CD changer.

The Grand Vitara has always been a capable off-roader, and the new version hasn't lost its touch. In the dirt, the little Suzuki exhibits tenacious behavior, conquering obstacles that would stop a Honda CR-V or Toyota RAV4 cold. It's no Jeep Wrangler, of course, but the Grand Vitara will go farther into the wild than its modern lines suggest. The fully independent suspension is coupled with a unibody structure for good on-road manners as well. Anti-lock brakes and an electronic stability program (ESP) are standard equipment.

A 2.7 liter 24-valve V6 provides power to the tune of 185 horses, and the Grand Vitara's towing capacity increases as a result, to 3000 pounds. On the road, power is decent, though not neck-snapping. The 2.7 V6 features dual overhead cams with a variable intake system. A five-speed manual transmission is standard equipment, with a five-speed automatic also available. On the road, the Grand Vitara is impressively quiet, neatly bridging the gap between compact SUVs and premium compacts. Dual-range four-wheel drive is also offered, for those Grand Vitaras that are going off-road.

There aren't many body-on-frame compact SUVs around these days, and none as refined as Suzuki's. The Grand Vitara is capable and well-built, and its virtues are nicely supported by an attractively low price tag. Prices for the Grand Vitara start at just over $20,000. Our tester was a nicely-equipped four-wheel drive model and stickered for $22,899.


Specifications:
All specs are for the 2007 Suzuki Grand Vitara.
Length: 176.0 in.
Width: 71.3 in.
Height: 66.7 in.
Wheelbase: 103.9 in.
Curb weight: 3505 lb. (4x4)
Cargo space: 24.4 cu.ft. (seats up); 68.9 cu.ft.(seats folded)
Towing capacity: 3000 lb.
Base price: $22,899
Engine: 2.7 liter DOHC V6
Drivetrain: five-speed automatic, four-wheel drive
Horsepower: 185 @ 6000
Torque: 184 @ 4500
Fuel capacity: 17.4 gal.
Est. mileage: 19/23