Driving the 2010 Suzuki Grand Vitara feels like going back in time. Its boxy shape hearkens back to truck-based SUVs, before all this crossover-madness hit. A simple knob on the dashboard switches the four-wheel drive between high and locked high and locked low, just a step beyond locking hubs. And the price, at just over $27K for the highest trim, loaded version, takes us back a couple of decades.
But the Grand Vitara isn't being consciously retro like the Chevy Camaro; it just hasn't been aggressively updated to modern standards. The stereo has features that were current 10 years ago, and the automatic transmission only has five gears. To give the car a tech edge, Suzuki integrates a Garmin Nuvi 765T GPS unit into the dashboard, giving it navigation and Bluetooth phone features.
Cabin tech by Garmin
The cabin's hard plastics indicate that the Grand Vitara is an economy SUV, and the Limited trim version's fake wood trim in the door handles, perforated leather, and manually adjustable seats do little to change that perception. Although the rear seat is big enough for three people, legroom becomes nonexistent with the front seat pushed back, which could be a problem for tall drivers with families. Cargo space seems ample, and we like the rear cargo cover.
The Grand Vitara's rear door is side-hinged.
The stereo doesn't deviate from the economy theme, using a mere four speakers set into the doors. A single-disc player reads MP3 CDs, an auxiliary input sits near the tuning knob, and Satellite Radio is an option. There is no disc changer or USB port, and certainly no onboard hard-drive storage.
Audio quality from this stereo didn't upset our viewpoint of the car; the four speakers sent their muddled sound washing around our feet, with the only saving grace being an amp that could spit out some reasonable bass. Just forget about qualities such as clarity or separation.
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Speaking of saving graces, the Grand Vitara, at least in Limited trim, offers a few. Audio controls on the steering wheel keep it from resting on the bottom of the barrel, and a smart key raises it another rung.
A Garmin GPS device, branded as Suzuki Trip, serves for navigation and Bluetooth.
But the inclusion of the Garmin GPS unit, standard in our Grand Vitara and branded as Suzuki Trip, keeps the car from being a total tech failure. For a complete rundown of the Garmin's features and performance, read our review of the Nuvi 765T. Suffice to say that it earned 3.5 stars out of 5 in our review, and not only brings navigation and a phone system into the car, but also Bluetooth streaming to the stereo and a digital music player.
What is worth talking about is how Suzuki integrates the device with the Grand Vitara. Set into a plastic binnacle on the dashboard, it pops open on a spring-loaded hatch. The Nuvi 765T rests in a Garmin dock, and can be easily removed, although we found the hatch subtle enough that it wouldn't readily attract thieves. With a second dock, or just a power cable, you could use the Nuvi 765T in other cars.
All audio from the device plays through the Grand Vitara's stereo. We were impressed that, when it played route guidance directions or a phone call came in, the CD paused rather than simply muted. But call quality through the Grand Vitara's speakers wasn't particularly good, with plenty of breaks in the signal.
Off-road scrambler
With its independent suspension, the Grand Vitara should have a carlike ride, but it still leans toward economy. It rocked and rolled us driving along rough asphalt, making every fault in the road felt.
The steering is tight and responsive, but we almost wish it were dialed down. As the suspension reacted to rougher pavement we had to make constant corrections, not something we want to do for hours at a time driving down the freeway.
Although the Grand Vitara is not particularly tall, it does feel a little tippy when going around corners, so we wouldn't recommend if for lead-footed drivers. That said, it does have stability control standard, which should help keep it upright
A dial on the center stack lets you choose the four-wheel drive mode.
Suzuki opted for a relatively small engine in the car, a 3.2-liter V-6 making 230 horsepower and 213 pound-feet of torque. Though it's no powerhouse, it proved perfectly adequate for the Grand Vitara, with reasonable fuel economy at an EPA-rated 17 mpg city and 23 mpg highway. During our testing on city and mountain roads, and freeways, we came in at 20.3 mpg, right in the middle of the EPA range.
That engine is mated to a five-speed automatic, a slightly primitive gearbox that occasionally hunted for the right gear. This transmission doesn't allow manual shifting, but it does have three low ranges.
The only place where the Grand Vitara gets interesting is in its four-wheel-drive system. With a dial on the dashboard, you can lock the center differential and choose between high and low modes. Descent control is also available at the push of a button.
Locking the four-wheel drive and descent control helps the Grand Vitara out off-road.
We put the Grand Vitara through a small dirt course that incorporated mud puddles, deep ruts, descents, and ascents. With highway tires, we didn't expect it to climb walls, and the suspension isn't built for serious articulation, but the four-wheel drive did what it was supposed to.
Even with partial traction loss in a mud puddle, the loose wheel continued to dig in as the other wheels helped push the Grand Vitara through. Up a dry, rutted road, the car scrambled, maintaining traction reasonably well. Using the descent control, the Grand Vitara built up a little more speed than we would have liked, but it stopped without much slip when we put on the brakes.
In sum
We had the top trim 2010 Grand Vitara, a Limited model with 4WD and a V-6 engine. At the bottom of the lineup is a rear-wheel-drive model with a 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine, starting at $18,999. As the fuel economy improvement is only minor with the smaller engine, we would recommend the V-6, and there is little point to the car unless you get it with 4WD.
As for cabin tech, the Grand Vitara would have scored very low if it wasn't for the borrowed tech of the Garmin 765T. However, that Garmin unit isn't the best we've tested. It is well integrated with the Grand Vitara, although we still favor true in-dash systems. The stereo was mediocre, and this SUV really could have used a backup camera.
The power train doesn't take advantage of any new technologies, but we do like that Suzuki went with a smallish V-6, to optimize fuel economy. A five-speed transmission is almost difficult to find in this era of six gears and beyond. We give the Grand Vitara credit for its four-wheel-drive system, which goes beyond merely shunting torque between front and rear axles, actually giving you control for rugged terrain.
Spec box
| Model | 2010 Suzuki Grand Vitara |
| Trim | Limited V6 4WD |
| Power train | 3.2-liter V-6 |
| EPA fuel economy | 17 mpg city/23 mpg highway |
| Observed fuel economy | 20.3 mpg |
| Navigation | Standard, Flash-based |
| Bluetooth phone support | Standard |
| Disc player | MP3-compatible single CD |
| MP3 player support | n/a |
| Other digital audio | Satellite radio, auxiliary input, SD card reader in navigation unit |
| Audio system | Four speaker |
| Driver aids | n/a |
| Base price | $26,999 |
| Price as tested | $27,523 |
5.4
2010 Suzuki Grand Vitara
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Score Breakdown
Cabin tech 6Performance tech 5Design 5
Specs
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FAQs
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 ...
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.
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 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 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.
Is Suzuki Grand Vitara fuel efficient? ›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 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 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.
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.
Who makes the Suzuki Vitara engine? ›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 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.
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”
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.
Is Suzuki Vitara from Japan? ›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.”
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.
Are Suzuki cars worth buying? ›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 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.
Is the Suzuki Vitara a 4x4? ›The short answer is yes, the Suzuki Vitara is a 4x4.
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.
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.
What is the top speed of Suzuki Grand Vitara? ›We managed a top speed of 135 kmph with this version and it felt quite comfortable at this point.
Is the Vitara underpowered? ›That variant has a CVT gearbox, total power output from the petrol engine, and batteries of 114PS. The K15-equipped variants have a power output of 103PS. Truth be told, it felt a bit underpowered on the hills, especially compared to the fact that even the lower output engines from their rivals have a minimum of 115PS.
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.
Which engine does Grand Vitara use? ›The Maruti Suzuki Grand Vitara only gets a 1.5L Hybrid engine, which is available with a 0-speed Automatic, 5-speed Manual and a 6-speed Automatic transmission. The Hybrid engine makes 116PS of power at 5500rpm and 122Nm of torque at 4800rpm. The ex-showroom prices of the 2022 Grand Vitara start from Rs.
Is Grand Vitara a turbo? ›
None of the 15 versions of Maruti Suzuki Grand Vitara has turbocharged engine option.
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.
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.
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.
What was the last year of the Suzuki Vitara? ›2013 Suzuki Grand Vitara Review
2013 was the last model year that new Suzuki vehicles were sold in the U.S.
Maruti Grand Vitara Alpha AWD DT.
How many gears does a Suzuki Grand Vitara have? ›The mild-hybrid engine is paired with either a five-speed manual or an optional six-speed automatic transmission and the strong-hybrid engine is only offered with an e-CVT gearbox. The top-spec mild-hybrid manual variant can also be had with AWD (all-wheel drive).
How does Suzuki Vitara 4WD work? ›When in 4WD, the system directly connects the front and rear wheels, making it possible to distribute engine power to all four tyres evenly and without loss.
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.
Are Suzuki cars made by Toyota? ›Toyota and Suzuki are promoting mutual supply of vehicles globally, which is one of the collaborations in the business partnership, and the two companies will now start production of a new SUV model developed by Suzuki at Toyota Kirloskar Motor Pvt. Ltd.
Is a Suzuki Vitara a big car? ›
It's a cracking small SUV with a big boot, low running costs and generous standard equipment, plus competitive savings available off the list price and on finance deals.
Does Grand Vitara have Toyota engine? ›The Grand Vitara gets a mild-hybrid K15C engine that makes 103HP and 137nm. The engine is paired with a 5-speed manual or a 6-speed automatic transmission. Toyota Hyryder has a 1.5L strong hybrid petrol engine that makes 115HP and 122nm and is paired with Toyota's e-CVT gearbox.
Is Suzuki Vitara a reliable vehicle? ›Suzuki Vitara reliability
Suzuki owners were happy with running costs, acceleration, handling and value, but the brand came 21st out of 29 manufacturers in our Driver Power manufacturer poll – a drop from 14th place in 2021.
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.
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.
Is Suzuki Vitara AWD or 4WD? ›6.2L/100km fuel economy. ALLGRIP 4WD technology. Hill Descent Control. Panoramic sunroof.
Is Grand Vitara permanent 4x4? ›And of course unlike systems that operate in two-wheel drive and then rely on differences in front and rear wheel speeds to automatically engage four-wheel drive via a centre clutch arrangement, there is no delay in the Grand Vitara's system; four-wheel drive is doing its work all the time.
Is Suzuki Grand Vitara a 4x4? ›Engines are available with either a 5-speed manual or 5-speed automatic transmission. The Grand Vitara is available in both rear-wheel drive only models (for the Australian market) or with full-time 4WD.
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 Suzuki as good as Toyota? ›Following Suzuki at the top of the reliability rankings was Lexus (97.5%) and Toyota (96.8%), with Kia, Mitsubishi and Subaru all tied for fourth place with a score of 95.8%.
Are Suzuki cars better than Toyota? ›
Toyotas generally have a higher brand value and perception than a Maruti Suzuki, which could weigh in your favour; 4) Both companies offer good aftersales service, and although Maruti Suzuki is more widespread, Toyota has a reputation for its service quality.
Is Suzuki more reliable than Honda? ›Suzuki and Honda are tied for second place according to the Consumer Reports survey. However, Honda has a much stronger reputation for reliability.