Photo gallery:2007 Suzuki Grand Vitara
There is nothing particularly grand about the 2007 Suzuki Grand Vitara--it's a small SUV (more properly called a crossover these days) in the same class as the Honda CR-V and the Mitsubishi Outlander. Simply calling it a Vitara would make more sense, especially with Suzuki's larger XL7 in the model lineup. But aspirations aside, the Grand Vitara feels like a well-built little truck.
We had a few complaints about the construction of the XL7, but found no issues with the Grand Vitara. The styling of the Grand Vitara follows the XL7 in its bland but functional theme. Although the Grand Vitara lacks the angular headlights of the XL7 that we liked, it does have the same hood design, which we don't like. The hood sits over the front of the car like an ill-fitting cap. The interior configuration is typical for a small crossover, with two rows of seating including rear seats that fold down to maximize cargo space.
Very little in the way of tech is available in the Grand Vitara. Our test car came with top-of-the-line Luxury trim, which includes a premium audio system. Neither navigation nor Bluetooth cell phone integration is available. However, the vehicle does come with keyless start, a controversial feature we are seeing more frequently, even on low-end cars.
Test the tech: A day at the races
Because we had the Grand Vitara during our local automotive journalists' association media event, we decided to test out the car by taking it to the Laguna Seca racetrack. To clarify, we wouldn't be driving the Grand Vitara on the track, just using it for the three-hour drive down and back. During the trip, we would evaluate whether it's the right kind of car to bring to races or sporting events.
The most grueling part of our run down to Laguna Seca from San Francisco was Highway 17, a heavily trafficked, four-lane divided road winding through the hills between San Jose and Santa Cruz. The Grand Vitara proved very capable in climbing the grades and taking the hard corners on this stretch. With a heavy foot on the gas, we were never wanting for power and could easily keep up with traffic.
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Because navigation isn't available on the Grand Vitara, we relied on road signs and our incomplete memory of how to get to the track. Unfortunately, this meant missing the entrance to Laguna Seca and having to backtrack a bit.
When we tried to set a barbecue on the tailgate, it slid off and hit the pavement.
During the day at Laguna Seca, we tried the Grand Vitara out as a vehicle for a parking-lot tailgate party, but because the rear door swings out to the side instead of swinging down, it was inappropriate for this purpose. And at high volume, its stereo makes the speakers rattle and hum, further evidence that it's not really the car for a tailgate party.
For this road trip, the Grand Vitara got us to our destination just fine, although a paper map might have helped. But once there, the Grand Vitara didn't add anything to the event. We were more inclined to use it as storage for our bags and leave it parked.
In the cabin
The interior of our Luxury trim Grand Vitara looked better than we expected for a car in this price range. The materials seemed nice, and the fit was good. With the Luxury trim, the car gets seats with some leather panels. The stereo is nicely integrated into the center stack, as are the cruise and audio control buttons into the spokes of the steering wheel.
One of the two tech features available in the cabin is the stereo, a seven-speaker system with a six-disc changer, a premium upgrade in our test car from the standard four-speaker system. Along with MP3 and WMA capability, the stereo is prepped for XM Satellite Radio. An iPod interface is available as a separate option.
We found the interface for navigating MP3 and WMA CDs serviceable but basic. We could easily choose folders by turning the right-hand knob, but any tracks at the root directory of a CD can't be accessed. Also, the display cuts off track and artist information, with no means of scrolling.
While the audio quality was decent, it didn't blow us away. Separation was good, but this system didn't really reach the highs or the bass we would have liked. Its subwoofer was subtle, barely making itself known. What disturbed us most was how the speakers hummed and rattled at high volume.
This key never had to leave our pocket during our week with the car.
The other tech feature in the cabin is the keyless start feature. Similar to other cars we've seen lately, you can keep the plastic key fob in your pocket. The doors unlock with the push of a button on the handle, and the car starts by turning a plastic handle where the key would normally go. We found this system very convenient, especially when we had our arms full of luggage. But there are security concerns with this type of key, as CNET security editor Robert Vamosi points out in his column, "Gone in 60 seconds--the high-tech version".
Under the hood
Behind the wheel, the Grand Vitara feels pretty solid to drive, but it doesn't distinguish itself in any appreciable way. Its 2.7-liter V-6 engine makes 185 horsepower, enough to push the car easily along and even attack long highway grades with vigor. But the fuel economy isn't anything to write home about; the EPA gave our two-wheel-drive version with automatic transmission 19mpg in the city and 24mpg on the highway. In our testing, which was biased heavily toward freeway driving at speeds around 70mph, we got 19.5mpg.
The shifter has nice wood accents that we wouldn't expect to see in a Suzuki, but we would have preferred a sixth gear.
Our test car came with a five-speed automatic transmission; a five-speed manual is also available, as is all-wheel drive. These transmission choices seem a little archaic by today's standards and account for the mediocre fuel economy during freeway driving. Although the automatic transmission doesn't have a manual gear selection mode, it does feature a couple of low-range options.
We didn't expect great handling from this car; it quickly feels top-heavy in hard cornering and is tuned with a bit of understeer. But it exhibits similar characteristics in this area to its Outlander and CR-V competitors. It does have a good range of road-holding gear, including stability and traction control.
For emissions, it meets California's Air Resources Board's minimal LEV II requirement.
In sum
At the Luxury trim level, our 2007 Suzuki Grand Vitara came standard with the seven-speaker premium stereo and the keyless start, all for $23,599. With a $650 destination charge, the total was $24,249. The low price and the solid feel of the Grand Vitara make a good argument for it, but the Honda CR-V and the Mitsubishi Outlander represent very stiff competition. For a little more money, the CR-V can be had with an excellent navigation system. The Outlander comes with Bluetooth cell phone integration standard for the same money as the Grand Vitara, along with all-wheel drive and an excellent optional navigation and audio system.
6.0
2007 Suzuki Grand Vitara
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Score Breakdown
Cabin tech 6Performance tech 6Design 6
Specs
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FAQs
Is Grand Vitara 2007 reliable? ›
The Grand Vitara is largely reliable, but as with most proper 4x4s, you'll need to check for damage caused by off road work.
Is the Suzuki Grand Vitara a reliable SUV? ›Based on the results reported in the model-specific JD Power consumer survey, it is safe to say that the Suzuki Grand Vitara is indeed a reliable vehicle. However, should you consider a used model, be sure to do a thorough inspection as the condition greatly depends on how the vehicle was used throughout its lifespan.
What problems does a Suzuki Vitara have? ›- DPF problems.
- Clutch problems.
- Air conditioning problems.
- Timing chain problems.
- Engine problems.
Grand vitara 2022 is a good beginning for all medal class family's and also good for pricing and i suggested to buy people who are planning to buy car under 10 lakes then coming to mileage in city 18kmpl mileage and highway 21kmpl mileage and it is very easy to maintain and maintenance is under 6000 per service… and ...
Why was Grand Vitara discontinued? ›Imported as a completely built-up (CBU) unit, the Grand Vitara XL-7 didn't find buyers. In four years, the carmaker could sell only 335 units. In 2007, the carmaker launched the new-generation of the SUV, this time called the Grand Vitara. But it could sell only 1,291 units and discontinued it in 2013.
Is a 2007 Suzuki Grand Vitara a 4x4? ›The Used 2007 Suzuki Grand Vitara comes with four wheel drive, and rear wheel drive.
Is a Grand Vitara a real 4x4? ›The Suzuki Vitara is a compact and inexpensive 4x4 that has been designed from the ground up to be an affordable, inexpensive and incredibly practical SUV that does what it's supposed to.
Are Suzuki Grand Vitaras good on fuel? ›The Vitara is a relatively inexpensive car to run, and the mild-hybrid engine brings good fuel economy, with an official WLTP figure from 49.7mpg.
What is the difference between Suzuki Vitara and Grand Vitara? ›With a length of 4345mm, a width of 1795mm, and a height of 1645mm, the Grand Vitara is longer, wider, and taller. Wheelbase, on the other hand, comes in at 2600mm which makes it 100mm more than the Vitara AllGrip.
What year did Grand Vitara avoid? ›According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), the problem is caused by the leather seat upholstery, which can shrink over time because of exposure to high humidity and temperatures. As a result, Suzuki has recalled certain 2006 to 2013 Grand Vitara models.
Is Suzuki Vitara a reliable car? ›
Suzuki Vitara reliability
And Suzuki has a very good reputation for building SUVs that are both rugged and long-lasting. The Suzuki Vitara was rated average for reliability in our 2022 Driver Power owner satisfaction survey, and finished a respectable 52nd out of the top 75 cars currently on sale in the UK.
The vehicle was developed by Suzuki using the Global C platform shared with the SX4 S-Cross and the Vitara. The mild hybrid model, marketed as "Smart Hybrid" by Suzuki and "NeoDrive" by Toyota, uses Suzuki's 1.5-litre K15C four-cylinder engine and the Smart Hybrid system developed by Suzuki.
Is Grand Vitara engine good? ›The Grand Vitara, powered by Suzuki's 1.5 Dualjet, puts out 103hp – a fair amount. It is down on torque, however, when compared to rivals, and what torque there is, a maximum of 137Nm, only comes in fully at 4,400rpm. What skews performance even further is that it is clearly tuned for fuel efficiency.
Is Grand Vitara good for long drive? ›This is a comfortable car for a long drive with good features. The best car in India at this price with good mileage, cooling and a sunroof view in the front.
Is a Suzuki Grand Vitara a 4x4 or an AWD? ›Maruti has announced that its upcoming Creta-rivalling mid-size SUV based on the Toyota Hyryder will be called Grand Vitara and will come with an AWD configuration.
Do Suzuki Vitaras hold their value? ›The Vitara isn't known for holding its value well compared with key rivals, which is good news if you're buying used.
How much is a Suzuki Grand Vitara worth? ›Maruti Grand Vitara price starts at ₹ 10.45 Lakh and goes upto ₹ 19.65 Lakh (Avg. ex-showroom). Grand Vitara comes in 15 variants. Grand Vitara model price in mild hybrid(electric + petrol) is ₹ 10.45 Lakh.
What does Grand Vitara mean? ›Grand - “Great" Vitara - "way of life”
Does Suzuki Grand Vitara 2007 have Bluetooth? ›The Grand Vitara doesn't distinguish itself on the tech front, offering neither navigation nor Bluetooth cell phone integration. Its transmission options only offer five speeds.
What is a Suzuki Vitara comparable to? ›Maruti's new hybrid SUV rivals the Toyota Hyryder, Hyundai Creta, Kia Seltos, Volkswagen Taigun, Skoda Kushaq, MG Astor and the Nissan Kicks.
Does Suzuki Vitara use Fiat engine? ›
Suzuki offered only one diesel engine, the Fiat-built 1.6-litre DDiS, with just two models – the Vitara and SX4 S-Cross.
What does Vitara mean? ›In Japan the Vitara is sold as the Escudo, while in North America the first generation was known as the Sidekick. The choice of the name ”Vitara” was inspired by the English word “vital,” as in “vitality.”
How do you put a Suzuki Grand Vitara in 4wd? ›Lift your foot off the accelerator pedal, push in on the selector knob and rotate the selector from 4H to 4H Lock. Slowly reapply pressure to the accelerator and resume driving. The 4H Lock will provide more traction to all four wheels.
Is 2007 Suzuki Grand Vitara front wheel drive? ›A rear-wheel-drive Grand Vitara with a 185-hp, 2.7-liter V-6 (the only engine offered), a five-speed manual transmission, and seating for five. That's right: rear-wheel drive.
Is Suzuki Vitara a 4x4? ›The short answer is yes, the Suzuki Vitara is a 4x4.
Are Suzuki reliable cars? ›Suzuki is celebrating some great news from the results of the 2021 What Car? Reliability Survey. Following reports from over 16,300 readers about their car ownership experience for vehicles up to five years old, Suzuki ranked joint third out of the 30 car brands measured with a score of 97.1% reliability.
Are Suzuki automatics reliable? ›As we said, Japanese car manufacturers are renowned for their reliability and Suzuki are no different. ... Suzuki scored a reliability index of just 50, which is well above the industry average of 118.
Is Grand Vitara made by Toyota? ›The biggest change is that it is the first vehicle manufactured by Toyota at its Bengaluru plant and delivered to Maruti Suzuki's showroom. In other words, a Suzuki with Toyota quality and Maruti price. The Grand Vitara is a vehicle that combines the capabilities of both Toyota and Suzuki.
Can Vitara go off road? ›After coming out in 1988, the Vitara transformed into the redesigned Grand Vitara by the third generation in 2005. Though the compact SUV is capable of handling some light off-roading adventures thanks to standard features like stability and traction control, serious off-roaders might want to look elsewhere.
Did Suzuki stop making Grand Vitara? ›Whispers of a new Grand Vitara have circled for years, ever since production of the four-wheel-drive ended in 2019, however this is the first official confirmation of a new 'GV'. The 2023 Suzuki Grand Vitara will be unveiled on 20 July 2022.
Is Suzuki Grand Vitara made in Japan? ›
The 4-cyl. Tracker and Vitara are virtual twins built at the CAMI assembly plant, a Suzuki-GM joint venture in Ingersoll, Ont. The Grand Vitara is made in Japan.
Is Grand Vitara 2008 a good car? ›Despite a less-than-impressive standard V6 engine, the 2008 Suzuki Grand Vitara remains a viable choice for those in the market for a small crossover SUV, thanks to abundant standard features, above-average off-road ability and a price point below its top-of-the-line competitors.
Are Suzuki engines good? ›While Suzuki isn't as well-known for its outboard motors, people who own one and use them regularly have only good things to say about these motors. Suzuki has been increasing in popularity because they produce high-quality, reliable engines at an affordable price.
Which Vitara engine is best? ›Our chosen engine in the Suzuki Vitara is the 1.4-litre petrol engine that produces 127bhp and uses mild-hybrid technology to give it a little extra performance without sacrificing fuel-efficiency. In fact, you won't notice the extra assistance but that's not to say it's slow.
What is the best Suzuki Vitara engine? ›When the Vitara was facelifted in 2019, Suzuki dropped the 1.6-litre engines (not replacing the diesel) and introduced the 1.0 BoosterJet engine. For us, this is by far the best engine choice.
Is Grand Vitara all wheel drive? ›The new Grand Vitara will be available in two 1.5-litre engines, multiple transmission options, and the first vehicle in its category that will be equipped with an all-wheel-drive-system and a full hybrid technology.
Is Grand Vitara a turbo? ›None of the 15 versions of Maruti Suzuki Grand Vitara has turbocharged engine option.
Is Suzuki Grand Vitara V6? ›Starting at $25,990 for the three-door petrol variant, the five-door V6 Grand Vitara Prestige retails for $40,490. Suzuki's competitive pricing outdoes the Outlander, Rav4, X-Trail and Forester which are its main rivals.
Does Grand Vitara have low range? ›Each and every version of the Vitara, Grand or otherwise, could be had with low-range four-wheel drive, a full-frame chassis, and coil springs front and rear, and two-door models offered a soft convertible top.
Are Suzuki Vitaras reliable? ›Suzuki Vitara reliability
And Suzuki has a very good reputation for building SUVs that are both rugged and long-lasting. The Suzuki Vitara was rated average for reliability in our 2022 Driver Power owner satisfaction survey, and finished a respectable 52nd out of the top 75 cars currently on sale in the UK.
How long is a Suzuki Grand Vitara 2007? ›
The new Grand Vitara is powered by a 1.5-litre engine along with strong and mild hybrid technology which produces 122Nm@4400-4800rpm. It comes in a 5-speed manual and 6-speed automatic transmission and delivers 27.9 km per litre mileage for the hybrid model. It will be the most fuel-efficient SUV in India.
Is Suzuki Vitara AWD or 4WD? ›6.2L/100km fuel economy. ALLGRIP 4WD technology. Hill Descent Control. Panoramic sunroof.
What is the engine of Vitara? ›The Maruti Grand Vitara has 2 Petrol Engine on offer. The Petrol engine is 1462 cc and 1490 cc . It is available with Manual & Automatic transmission.Depending upon the variant and fuel type the Grand Vitara has a mileage of 19.38 to 27.97 kmpl .
Is Grand Vitara good for off road? ›After coming out in 1988, the Vitara transformed into the redesigned Grand Vitara by the third generation in 2005. Though the compact SUV is capable of handling some light off-roading adventures thanks to standard features like stability and traction control, serious off-roaders might want to look elsewhere.