The Suzuki Grand Vitara can feel like an orphan in the compact SUV segment. While competitors such as the Honda CR-V, Toyota RAV4, Ford Escape and Hyundai Tucson sell in droves, Suzuki’s lone SUV often falls off buyers’ radar – if they even know about its existence in the first place. Without significant updates since 2006 and its reliance on an outdated powertrain, it’s easy to see why the Grand Vitara is in this predicament. Yet the GV is not without its merits. The 2012 Grand Vitara has a starting price below $21,000 and remains among the few compact SUVs that are capable off-road, especially when equipped with a 4-wheel-drive (4WD) system that has low-range gearing. The Suzuki Grand Vitara is also a friend to RV owners, since certain models can be flat-towed.
Used 2012 Suzuki Grand Vitara Pricing
A base 2012 Suzuki Grand Vitara with rear-wheel-drive and manual transmission starts around $20,500. A top-of-the-line Limited model with 4-wheel-drive and a few accessories can reach over $27,000. At these prices the Grand Vitara is competitive, but not the screaming deal it used to be. The base Subaru Forester and the Mazda CX-5, for a couple of examples, are only about $1,000 more. The ever-popular and better-equipped Honda CR-V starts just over $23,000, as does the Toyota RAV-4. The Kia Sportage, meanwhile, undercuts the Grand Vitara with a base price of just over $19,000, as does the Hyundai Tucson with a base price just under $20,000. Be sure to check the Kelley Blue Book Fair Purchase Price to see what buyers in your area are paying for the Suzuki Grand Vitara. Down the road, the Grand Vitara’s resale value is among the lowest in this segment.
Driving the Used 2012 Suzuki Grand Vitara
Suzuki’s Grand Vitara is a suitable partner for short commutes or longer journeys that involve off-pavement excursions. The GV’s integrated unit body and strong ladder frame create a solid platform, and its independent suspension feels well-controlled. Athletic it’s not, and with only one engine option good for just 166 horsepower, it’s near the bottom of its class in terms of power output. Technically the Mazda CX-5 has less horsepower but, unlike the Grand Vitara, that small SUV is a hoot to drive. The GV does have precise steering and a relatively tight turning radius of 36 feet, which means better access to parking spaces and less of those embarrassing 3-way turns. One of the Grand Vitara’s few high points is the 4-mode 4-wheel-drive system in top-of-the-line models. The system makes the SUV suitable for rolling over snow, mud and rocks.
Interior Comfort
The 2012 Grand Vitara has a pleasant, functional interior that can seat up to five in its two rows. The cabin is not overly exciting, but neither is it complicated. Large dials make it easy to turn up the air conditioning or dial down the volume when that annoying commercial comes on the radio. Cloth seating is standard, with leather available in Limited versions. Hard plastic remains, but gauges and dials are easy to read. Fold-and-tumble rear seats help create plenty of space for groceries or for hauling home that flat-screen TV.
Exterior Styling
Suzuki’s Grand Vitara has traditional SUV looks: Boxy, confident and exuding strength. The vehicle’s sharp angles stand in contrast to the curvy looks of modern crossovers, but still hold up relatively well in the half-dozen years it’s been since the GV was redesigned. The vehicle features 7.4 inches of ground clearance, decent for off-roading but well short of the 8.7 inches found on the Subaru Forester. An old-fashioned swing-out rear door can make loading cargo a hassle if parked in a tight space. Base and Premium models come with 16-inch wheels, while Limited versions ride on larger 18-inchers that help sharpen the vehicle’s handling.
Favorite Features
4-MODE FULL-TIME 4WD NAVIGATION SYSTEM
Available only on the highest-trim (and thus most expensive) version of the Grand Vitara, this system stands out among the current crop of small SUVs and "soft-roaders" because it has low-range gearing. Low-range gearing is usually reserved for serious off-road vehicles, as it helps them traverse steep, rugged terrain.
Every trim level of the Grand Vitara comes with an integrated touch-screen navigation system that also relays traffic information, gas prices, flight times and other useful, up-to-the-minute information.
Standard Features
The biggest surprise about the 2012 Grand Vitara is that even base models come with a touch-screen navigation system that is an asset for not just finding the best route to your destination, but for obtaining movie times, the weather forecast and more. All GVs also come with automatic climate control, automatic head lights, keyless entry and 4-speaker AM/FM/CD/satellite radio. All new Suzuki autos come with a transferable 7-year/100,000-mile powertrain warranty.
Factory Options
Most options for the Grand Vitara are bundled with trim levels. Premium trim models add cruise control, Bluetooth and available full-time 4-wheel drive. Top-of-the-line Grand Vitaras in Limited trim have a power sunroof, leather seats, premium 7-speaker audio system with subwoofer and 18-inch wheels. Limited models are the only versions available with the 4-mode 4-wheel drive system.
Engine & Transmission
Since dropping the V6 option after the 2010 model year, the Grand Vitara retains just one engine choice: A 2.4-liter 4-cylinder with 166 horsepower; this engine is now among the least-powerful in the segment and further shows its age by being connected to a 4-speed automatic transmission. Base models are linked to a 5-speed manual transmission that earns a respectable 26 mpg on the highway. 2.4-liter inline-4
166 horsepower @ 6,000 rpm
162 lb-ft of torque @ 4,000 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 19/26 (RWD, manual), 19/25 (RWD, automatic),
19/23 (4WD, automatic)
KBB Vehicle Review and Rating Methodology
Our Expert Ratings come from hours of both driving and number crunching to make sure that you choose the best car for you. We comprehensively experience and analyze every new SUV, car, truck, or minivan for sale in the U.S. and compare it to its competitors. When all that dust settles, we have our ratings. We require new ratings every time an all-new vehicle or a new generation of an existing vehicle comes out. Additionally, we reassess those ratings when a new-generation vehicle receives a mid-cycle refresh — basically, sprucing up a car in the middle of its product cycle (typically, around the 2-3 years mark) with a minor facelift, often with updates to features and technology. Rather than pulling random numbers out of the air or off some meaningless checklist, KBB’s editors rank a vehicle to where it belongs in its class. Before any car earns its KBB rating, it must prove itself to be better (or worse) than the other cars it’s competing against as it tries to get you to spend your money buying or leasing. Our editors drive and live with a given vehicle. We ask all the right questions about the interior, the exterior, the engine and powertrain, the ride and handling, the features, the comfort, and of course, about the price. Does it serve the purpose for which it was built? (Whether that purpose is commuting efficiently to and from work in the city, keeping your family safe, making you feel like you’ve made it to the top — or that you’re on your way — or making you feel like you’ve finally found just the right partner for your lifestyle.)
We take each vehicle we test through the mundane — parking, lane-changing, backing up, cargo space and loading — as well as the essential — acceleration, braking, handling, interior quiet and comfort, build quality, materials quality, reliability.
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FAQs
What is a 2012 Suzuki Grand Vitara worth? ›
2012 Suzuki Grand Vitara Value - $2,420-$9,586 | Edmunds.
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.
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.
What problems does a Suzuki Vitara have? ›- DPF problems.
- Clutch problems.
- Air conditioning problems.
- Timing chain problems.
- Engine problems.
A lasting and tough look for an SUV at that price range (not sissy looking). CBU build quality. This car has really enjoyable ride and handling for an SUV that weights 1.5ton! No car in this price range has REAR WHEEL DRIVE and Unibody on Ladder Frame Chasis.
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.
Which model of Vitara is value for money? ›Best mild-hybrid variant of Grand Vitara – Delta
Maruti offers the Grand Vitara mild hybrid in four variants. However, the most value-for-money and well-equipped variant becomes the 'Delta'.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
6.2L/100km fuel economy. ALLGRIP 4WD technology. Hill Descent Control. Panoramic sunroof.
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 Suzuki 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.
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.
What does Grand Vitara mean? ›Grand - “Great" Vitara - "way of life”
Is the Grand Vitara coming back? ›
The 2022 Grand Vitara will be offered in six variants. There will be Sigma, Delta, Zeta, Alpha, Zeta+ and Alpha+. The Smart Hybrid will be offered on Sigma, Delta, Zeta and Alpha whereas the Intelligent Electric Hybrid will be offered on Zeta+ and Alpha+.
What is the price of Vitara? ›Maruti Vitara Brezza Price: It is priced between Rs 7.84 lakh and Rs 11.49 lakh (ex-showroom Delhi).
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.
Where is Suzuki Vitara made? ›About the Vitara
The Suzuki Vitara is available in eight variants, is classed as a Small SUV and is built in Hungary.
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 Suzuki Grand Vitara full time 4wd? ›Grand Vitara II Next
Also known as Suzuki Vitara, Suzuki Grand Vitara, Suzuki Grand Vitara JP (Taiwan), Suzuki Grand Nomade, Suzuki Grand Vitara SZ. Full-time all wheel drive. Manually lockable center differential. Low range.
Anyone in the market for a compact AWD that wasn't a Subaru would have naturally gravitated to the Suzuki. Alas, with the recent news that the Vitara has been discontinued, it's the end of an era for the small-SUV genre that it helped bring about more than 20 years ago.
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.
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 long do Suzuki's last? ›
As far as reliability, Your Great Car notes that there are plenty of Suzuki cars still driving with over 200,000 miles on the odometer. What's even better is that they are relatively inexpensive to maintain as well with mostly needing simple oil changes and routine maintenance to keep running.
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.
What is the most reliable Suzuki? ›Beating stiff competition from other car manufacturers, Suzuki received an amazing reliability score of 97.7%! Plus, in the same survey, the Suzuki SX4 S-Cross was awarded joint first for the most reliable car - owners reported that in the space of a year, they experienced zero faults with the S-Cross.
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.
What is the best Suzuki model? ›- Suzuki Swift (Hatchback)
- Suzuki Escudo (SUV)
- Suzuki Carry Truck (Truck)
- Suzuki Alto (Hatchback)
- Suzuki SX4 (SUV)
- Conclusion.
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.
Why did Suzuki stop making cars? ›Its cars were too small, its safety record iffy and its branding a bit too comical (Suzuki Sidekick, anyone?). So it came as little surprise to most analysts when Suzuki announced late Monday that it would stop selling automobiles in the United States and put its American unit into Chapter 11 bankruptcy.
Does the Suzuki Vitara have parking sensors? ›You also get a rear-view camera as standard equipment, helping to make parking a doddle. To make it even easier, go for SZ5 trim and you'll also get front and rear parking sensors.
Which is the best engine in the Suzuki Vitara? ›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.
Do Suzuki make their own engines? ›This is a list of automobile engines developed and sold by the Suzuki Motor Corporation. Suzuki is unusual in never having made a pushrod automobile engine, and in having depended on two-strokes for longer than most.
What are the different types of Suzuki Vitara? ›
- 1.4 Boosterjet 48V Hybrid SZ-T 5dr. While SZ-T may be the entry-level trim, it's our preferred trim level. ...
- 1.5 Hybrid SZ-T 5dr AGS. ...
- 1.4 Boosterjet 48V Hybrid SZ5 5dr. ...
- 1.5 Hybrid SZ5 5dr AGS. ...
- 1.4 Boosterjet 48V Hybrid SZ5 ALLGRIP 5dr. ...
- 1.5 Hybrid SZ5 ALLGRIP 5dr AGS.
1999–2013 Grand Vitara.
Are Suzuki Grand Vitara reliable? ›Overall, owners don't need to worry about the Suzuki Grand Vitara, because it has no major problems. Most of its issues are easily fixed and don't involve major components like the engine or transmissions, which are the ones that are most expensive to repair.
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.
What does Vitara mean in Japanese? ›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.”
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.
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.
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.