- Doors and Seats
5 doors, 5 seats
- Engine
2.5i, 6 cyl.
- Engine Power
106kW, 208Nm
- Fuel
Petrol (91) 9.7L/100KM
- Manufacturer
4XD
- Transmission
Auto
- Warranty
3 Yr, 60000 KMs
- Ancap Safety
NA
1998 Suzuki Grand Vitara V6 review: Quick drive
Date of publication: May 24, 1998
The Sun-Herald
CAR: Suzuki Grand Vitara V6
PIGEONHOLE: Compact four-wheel-drive.
PHILOSOPHY: Weekday commuter, weekend escape machine.
WHO'S BUYING IT: Previous Vitara owners, Colorado boot wearers and would-be tree-huggers.
WHY YOU'D BUY IT: Best ability in the light 4WD class thanks to a low-range gearbox and full-frame chassis.
WHY YOU WOULDN'T: Not best in class for refined on-road manners, less interior space than some rivals, lacks security and some safety equipment.
STANDARD EQUIPMENT: Air conditioning, power windows and mirrors, central locking (but no remote).
SAFETY: Dual air bags and anti-skid brakes not available for three months when they will cost an extra $2,400 as a package. Seat belt pre-tensioners not fitted.
CABIN: A bit too cosy, although good quality plastics fit well and are rattle free. Grab handles and map pockets abound. Two child restraint anchorage points on the rear cargo floor limit load space if child seats are fitted.
SEATING: Rear leg room tightest in class but seats are covered in a durable, comfortable fabric. Lap-sash centre rear seat belt only.
ENGINE: Highly refined and powerful 2.5-litre V6 (106kW/208Nm) makes Grand Vitara the Falcon XR6 of RVs.
TRANSMISSION: Five-speed manual or four-speed automatic. The manual has a solid, slick shifter.
STEERING: Thick-grip wheel fits snugly and power assistance makes parking light work, but rugged 4WD underpinnings mean a broad (10.6m) turning circle.
RIDE: Like a Lipton teabag, jiggly - especially on back roads. Good for a 4WD but average for a car.
HANDLING: A full-frame chassis combined with suspension and tyres designed to get seriously off the beaten track mean compromised road manners. More stable in corners than its predecessor but not as confident as its newer rivals from Subaru, Honda and Toyota.
FUEL: Expect 11.5L/100km running errands and 8.6L/100km on long trips (average). Tank's capacity is 66 litres.
BRAKES: Front discs, rear drums.
No complaints, apart from the lack of anti-skid brakes.
BUILD: A big step forward for Suzuki but not in the same league as Toyota, Honda or Subaru. Spare-wheel carrier on test car rattled.
WARRANTY: Three-years/60,000km.
ANTI-THEFT: None, apart from door locks.
AUDIO SYSTEM: AM/FM radio-cassette. Acceptable sound through four speakers.
COST: The V6 is $29,950 plus on-road costs (add $2,000 for auto), although the 2.0-litre four-cylinder starts from $27,950.
VERDICT: A big improvement on its predecessor but the goalposts have moved since the original Vitara triggered the RV boom 10 years ago. The most rugged 4WD in its class but it's an advantage marketers admit most buyers will not use. Compromised road manners, therefore, make it less enjoyable around town than rivals.