31.01.2017

Suzuki Grand Vitara 2 (SUZUKI Grand Vitara)- the most popular car in the Suzuki lineup. This model, according to many experts, is considered the best among crossovers in terms of price-quality ratio and off-road capabilities, plus, the car boasts a real Japanese assembly. Many owners classify this car as unkillable, arguing that it is unpretentious and durable. But now we’ll try to find out how things are with the reliability of a used Suzuki Grand Vitara in reality and what you should pay attention to when choosing this car on the secondary market.

A little history:

The debut of the first generation Suzuki Grant Vitara took place in 1997. Initially, this car was a rear-wheel drive frame SUV with rigidly connected front-wheel drive. The second generation of the car was introduced in 2005. Unlike the previous version, the new product has lost the standard frame body structure (the frame is integrated into the body), and all-wheel drive has become permanent with the presence of reduction gears and center differential locks. In 2008, the car underwent restyling, as a result of which the front bumper, radiator grille, front fenders and mirrors were changed. But the main innovations affected the technical part - drum brakes were replaced with disc brakes, the transmission was modernized, and two new engines appeared. In 2010, the car underwent a slight modernization, as a result of which the trunk lid lost the spare wheel, thanks to which the Vitara became 200 mm shorter, and the diesel engine was upgraded to comply with Euro 5 level. This model was available for purchase in three and five-door body styles. In 2015, the production of this crossover was finally discontinued.

Problem areas and disadvantages of the Suzuki Grand Vitara

Body elements of the Suzuki Grand Vitara are fitted with high quality. Also, there are no significant comments on the quality of the paintwork and anti-corrosion coating, and if a used vehicle has a large amount of rust, then this is the first sign that the car was restored after an accident. Among the shortcomings of the body elements, one can highlight only thin metal on the hood (even minor contact leaves dents) and sagging of the rear door, this is due to the impact of the heavy spare wheel that is installed on it. In order to fix the problem, you need to adjust the hinges.

Engines

Suzuki Grand Vitara, as for a Japanese-made car, has a fairly wide range of power units: petrol - 1.6 (106 hp), 2.0 (140 hp), 2.4 (166 hp) 3.2 (233 hp). With.); diesel 1.9 (129 hp). Operating experience has shown that all engines are quite reliable, but some characteristic problems in them have nevertheless been identified. So, in particular, the 1.6-liter engine is afraid of overheating, and it also suffers from oil starvation. The engine is equipped with a timing chain drive; as a rule, up to 100-120 thousand km, this unit does not cause any problems; to increase the life of the chain, you must use high-quality oil; also, try to warm up the engine well in severe frosts. After 200,000 km, oil consumption increases, and if you like to “light up” the car, then oil consumption may be unpleasantly surprising (up to 400 grams per 1000 km). In order to fix the problem, it is necessary to change the rings and valve stem seals.

Among the disadvantages of 2.0 and 2.4 liter engines, one can note the short service life of the drive belt rollers (40-50 thousand km). Also, on some copies the chain stretches quite early and its tensioner fails. A signal that there is a problem will be diesel rumble and metallic ringing when starting a cold engine. All four-cylinder engines are not equipped with hydraulic compensators, which is why it is necessary to adjust the clearances in the valve drive every 40,000 km. All engines are quite sensitive to fuel quality; when using low-quality fuel, the spark plugs, fuel filter (included with the fuel pump) and catalyst are the first to suffer. A car with the most powerful 3.2 liter V6 engine has established itself as the most reliable, but has very high fuel consumption (in the city 20-22 liters per hundred).

The 1.9 diesel engine is a development of the French manufacturer Renault. This engine does not have outstanding characteristics and has a number of disadvantages. In our realities, most often, the short service life of the turbocharger, pump, and DPF filter causes complaints from owners. Also, the disadvantages include high fuel consumption (8-10 liters per hundred) and high maintenance costs.

Transmission

This model is equipped with two types of gearboxes – a five-speed manual and a four-speed automatic. No matter how paradoxical it may sound, an automatic transmission is much more reliable than a manual transmission. One of the significant shortcomings of the mechanics is the deterioration of the performance of the box (unclear engagement of 1st, 2nd and 3rd gears). There can be several reasons for incorrect transmission operation - failure of the bearings or gear selection mechanism; also, the problem manifests itself when the clutch is partially worn. Despite this, the clutch lasts quite a long time - 100-120 thousand km. Automatic transmissions, as a rule, do not require intervention for 200-250 thousand km, but only under the condition of proper maintenance (oil change every 60,000 km) and operation. The disadvantages of automatic transmission include long delays when changing gears.

The all-wheel drive system is one of the advantages of the Suzuki Grand Vitara. There are center differential locks and a reduction gear. Among the disadvantages, one can note the noisy operation of the front axle gearbox (it starts to hum at 60-80 thousand km, if you often go off-road, it can hum even after 30,000 thousand km). Often, changing the oil helps eliminate the hum. Once every 100-120 thousand km, the front gearbox oil seals need to be replaced; a little earlier, at 60-80 thousand km, the transfer case oil seal begins to leak; it is better not to delay replacing it, since a decrease in the oil level in the transfer case will, over time, lead to expensive repair of the unit.

Weak points of the Suzuki Grand Vitara suspension

The Suzuki Grand Vitara is equipped with a fully independent suspension, despite this, the car is not a standard of comfort and handling. If we talk about the reliability of the chassis, then it is quite durable, even despite the short service life of some elements. Most often, bushings and stabilizer links require attention; on average, they last about 30,000 km, but they can begin to creak even after 10000 km. If, after replacing the bushings, there is still a knocking sound when driving on an uneven road, then it is necessary to install rubber spacers between the bracket and the bushing or replace the brackets. The front shock absorbers are quite weak and on most models they last no more than 80,000 km, and in harsh operating conditions their service life is halved. Camber arms, wheel bearings and ball joints can please owners with a mileage of 120,000 km.

The rear wheel bearing is less durable and lasts only 60-80 thousand km (changed together with the hub). The remaining elements of the rear suspension last about 100,000 km, but many owners recommend regularly checking the wheel alignment and changing tires every 15,000 km. The steering does not cause any special comments, the only thing that owners have complaints about is the howling power steering pump, it is worth noting that with the onset of cold weather the hum intensifies (in some cases, replacing the power steering fluid helps eliminate the problem). Also, on cars of the first years of production, the power steering cooling system tubes are not famous for their reliability (fluid leaks appear at the connection points). Front brake pads, on average, last 30-40 thousand km, rear brake pads up to 60,000 km, discs - twice as long.

Salon

Despite the fact that the interior trim of the second generation Suzuki Grand Vitara is made of simple materials, it is assembled with very high quality, thanks to which extraneous squeaks and knocks rarely bother the car’s owners. The main sources of squeaks are: the front seats, the trunk shelf, and the plastic lining of the pillars. Electrical equipment is quite reliable and, even after many years of operation, does not cause any trouble. The only thing that might bother you is the heater fan motor (the brushes and relays fail).

Result:

The Suzuki Grand Vitara is a fairly reliable car with good off-road potential, and if you use only original spare parts, it will not often cause trouble. But, if you are looking for a comfortable, family crossover with good cross-country ability, then it is better to pay attention to another car, for example.

If you are the owner of this car model, please describe the problems that you encountered while using the car. Perhaps your review will help the readers of our site when choosing a car.

Best regards, editor AutoAvenue

When creating the Suzuki Grand Vitara 2, they abandoned the frame and solid axles, but retained full-fledged all-wheel drive. Therefore, when reading the “paper” characteristics of a car, it is not always clear which class it belongs to. Either at the price of a crossover, or with the appetite of an SUV. In this article we will break down all the pros and cons of the used model.

A little history

The Japanese Vitara family began its history back in 1988. The frame, connected front axle, small size and weight made the model popular in certain circles of off-road enthusiasts. Low-power engines slightly limited off-road capabilities, but made the price of the car affordable for most people.

The second generation (1998-2005) became larger, more powerful and received the Grand prefix. Therefore, in fact, Suzuki is reviewing the third generation, but taking into account the “grandness” of the second. Vitara was not the first to go off-road, and was generally not suitable for urban conditions, so the second reincarnation was not particularly popular.

In the third generation, Suzuki decided to take into account previous mistakes and made a radical change in priorities. In 2005, the fashion for crossovers was just gaining momentum. Therefore, the model received a nice appearance, permanent all-wheel drive with low gearing and a monocoque body instead of a frame. Combined with an affordable price, this has ensured fairly stable popularity.

Body and equipment

In addition to the standard five-door modification, it is not so common, but there is also a three-door version - a good option for urban conditions with bad roads. The body of the Grand Vitara is galvanized on both sides, but after damage it begins to rust very quickly. Therefore, it is better to eliminate chips and scratches immediately after they occur.

The list of additional equipment is much shorter than that of German premium brands. But for comfortable movement there is everything you need even in the “base”. All Suzuki Grand Vitara 2 have:

• full electrical package;
• climate control (not everyone, however, likes the algorithm of its operation);
• heated front seats;
• two airbags (driver, passenger);
• ABS and EBD brake force distribution system.

In more expensive trim levels, directional stability is monitored by the ESP system. The “goodies” may include a leather interior, cruise control, keyless entry, parking sensors and more expensive music with a changer. Top-end Vitaras with a 3.2-liter engine were also supplied with electronic assistants for descent and ascent.

The salon is spacious and simple. The panel plastic is hard, but the door panels are soft. Crickets and rattling most often occur in the area of ​​the dashboard and rear seats. Noise insulation is at an average level, after restyling it was slightly improved.

There were two restylings in total. In 2008, they changed the radiator grille, a couple of little things in appearance, and put an information display in the front panel. It became possible to choose a gasoline engine. To the only two-liter one they added an improved 2.4-liter and a top-end V6 3.2 liter, which was not officially supplied to our region and is therefore rare. In 2012, the appearance was slightly tweaked and the six-cylinder engine was discontinued.

Off-road and transfer case

Permanent all-wheel drive is good, but you shouldn’t count on “super” cross-country ability. It is higher than that of the average SUV, but do not exclude the factor of the “correct” rubber and gasket between the steering wheel and the driver’s seat. Additional features always require additional costs, or at least attention.

When choosing a used Suzuki Grand Vitara, it is better not to take copies with leaking front axle seals. Without oil, the gearbox quickly fails, and it is not known how long the car has already been driven with a leak. Most often, the right-hand drive oil seal leaks and is replaced without any problems. If the front one leaks, you will have to disassemble the entire transfer case. In this case, change all the other seals at the same time, so as not to return to this issue for the next 70-80 thousand mileage.

Even if there are no oil leaks, be sure to change the oil in the front gearbox after purchase. Due to the location of the breather, water gets into it. And for this it is not necessary to drive through deep fords. There is a solution to the problem:

1. Original set of extended hose (27891-65D10) breather and clamp (27892-65D00).
2. Construction of a gas-resistant Zhiguli hose, two clamps and a filter.

In the rear gearbox, the breather is routed into the bridge, so such problems do not arise. But if you “park” in a deep puddle for a long time, then moisture can still penetrate inside. Therefore, extreme off-road enthusiasts are advised to change the lubricant in the rear gearbox twice as often as during normal use.

If you change the seals and oil in both transfer cases in time, then the all-wheel drive system of the Suzuki Grand Vitara will properly serve 250+ thousand km. Unfortunately, not all owners pay due attention to regular diagnostics.

Suspension

The chassis of the Grand Vitara is reliable, but there are several weak points:

1. 1. Silent blocks of front levers.In the original, the front levers are replaced only as an assembly. At the same time, the ball joint lasts much longer than the rear silent blocks, which last 70-100 thousand km. Solvable in two ways:
      1. replacing the lever assembly;
      2. replacing the silent blocks themselves with alternative ones. For example: Hyundai 54584-2E000 or Sidem 877611.
   2. Rear camber bolts. They are supplied without any anti-corrosion protection, so over time they become one with the rear silent blocks. Because of this, it is impossible to adjust the rear axle camber. This is fraught with accelerated wear of the rubber and can be “treated” by replacing all rear silent blocks along with the bolts. To prevent this situation, regular (every 20-30 thousand km) maintenance of bolts (graphite lubricant) is recommended.
   3. Front stabilizer bushings. Almost a consumable with a service life of 10-30 thousand km. Depending on driving style, quality of bushings and roads. For owners of two-liter Vitars, we can recommend using bushings and brackets from the 2.4-liter version. Catalog numbers: 42412-78K00 - bushing and 42415-78K00 - mounting bracket.

Hub p The bearings are supplied assembled with the hub, but their service life is usually enough for 100+ thousand km during normal city use. The rear brakes on the Grand Vitara are drum brakes and the pads usually last for at least 80 thousand km. The front ones will have to be replaced twice as often.

Engines

Suzuki has minimal variety in this section. From 2005 to 2008, there was actually the only option - a two-liter gasoline engineJ20A, 140 HP With.It is not enough for the weight of the car and all-wheel drive, so consumption in the city rarely drops below 14 liters.

Cars with a faster six-cylinder engine were brought from America2.7 liters (H27A, 185 hp). Reliable and unpretentious, a good option for a purchase, but finding a Grand Vitara 2 in good condition with such an engine is difficult. Found only on pre-restyling Vitars.

From the exotic category you can find Vitara with1.9-liter dieselfrom Renault. Of the one and a half thousand advertisements for the sale of SGV on AvtoRu, there are as many as 16 diesel ones. The engine with a turbine is not very reliable and with age the fuel equipment becomes prohibitively expensive. To save on fuel, it is better to choose a gasoline engine with an installed LPG system.Gas equipmentpays off quickly, but there isrisk of burning out exhaust valvesif the fuel mixture is configured or adjusted incorrectly.

The second most common is gasolineJ24B ​​2.4 liters. Additional 29 l. With. increased consumption by 2 liters. Appeared after the first restyling and is, in fact, a bored two-literJB420. In terms of dynamics, a two-liter engine with a manual can be equated with a 2.4 with an automatic.

JB series motors have their own weaknesses/features:

1. Timing chain drive.Its service life rarely exceeds 80-90 thousand km, almost the same as on belt-driven machines. The chain stretches, the tensioners become loose, so the first signs of future repairs can be easily determined by ear. Before purchasing, do not forget to open the hood and listen carefully to the sound of the engine - there should be no metallic knocking or rattling sounds.
2. Binge on butter.Usually it begins to appear after 100 thousand mileage. Up to 2 liters from replacement to replacement is nothing to worry about. If you regularly drive with the oil level below the minimum, engine repair is guaranteed. Replacing valve stem seals and piston rings helps. First, you can try changing the viscosity of the engine oil.
3. Oil pressure sensor.Another source of lubrication loss. Oil starts to run through it, just replace it.
4. Adjustment of valves.These engines do not have hydraulic compensators, so according to the regulations it is necessary to adjust the valves every 40 thousand km. In fact, rarely does anyone perform such maintenance more often than once every 100 thousand miles.

It remains only to mention the most powerful V6 3.2 liters (N32A, 233 hp) and the weakest 1.6 (M16A, 106 hp). The first one comes from General Motors and, if in good working order and maintained, will not cause any problems. The Suzuki Grand Vitara 2 has the only engine with hydraulic compensators and does not require valve adjustment. In case of repair, a six-cylinder engine will, in principle, be expensive.

The younger 1.6-liter engine was installed only on three-door SGV2, also with a simplified transmission. Reliable, but frankly weak unit. Suitable only for smooth movement around the city.

Gearboxes

The manual transmission of the Grand Vitara 2 is generally reliable, but problems with first gear are quite common. It does not turn on when the car is warm or it “sticks” very tightly. There may be several causes and solutions to the problem:

• “dying” clutch - treated with replacement;
• bad oil in the box - change to 2 liters Castrol Syntrans Transaxle 75W-90;
• airing the hydraulic system - replacing and pumping brake fluid;
• synchronizer - repair with gearbox disassembly.

All Grand Vitara 2s were equipped with a rather ancient but reliable four-speed Aisin automatic transmission. There are fewer problems with it than with mechanics. It shifts thoughtfully, but smoothly, while increasing average consumption by a couple of liters (compared to manual transmission).

The only exceptions were SGVs with V6 engines. They came with the same Japanese automatic transmission, only with five steps. In terms of operation algorithm and reliability, they do not differ.

Bottom line

The second generation Suzuki Grand Vitara attracts with its affordable starting price. For reasonable money you can get an almost full-fledged SUV with an adequate maintenance cost.

The popularity of the Suzuki Grand Vitara is so great that for many years it was produced around the world and under different names.

Success and international recognition are objectively deserved - the versatility of the model in its totality of qualities has no equal.

ATTENTION! A completely simple way to reduce fuel consumption has been found! Don't believe me? An auto mechanic with 15 years of experience also didn’t believe it until he tried it. And now he saves 35,000 rubles a year on gasoline!

For a long time, the compact SUV remained the best-selling, and on the Russian market the car took its rightful place, and on a par with its right-hand drive twin brother Suzuki Escudo.

Those who have traveled know and will understand

The Grand Vitara is interesting and unique in that it is the most off-road in its class. Because there is permanent all-wheel drive, a ladder-type frame is built into the body, there is a center differential between the front and rear of the transfer case, there is a differential locking system and a reduced speed, which gives improved off-road qualities. The interior of the model is not particularly outstanding, solid, laconic, simple, not attracting attention, but not old-fashioned.

In the Japanese's constant all-wheel drive on the highway, even in bad weather conditions - ice, rain, winter roads, there is a feeling of complete safety and reliability. If you happen to get into more serious off-road conditions, a differential lock and a lower gear will come to the rescue.

Of course, we must remember that this is not a classic all-terrain vehicle, but an urban crossover and its suspension is low, the ground clearance is only 200 mm, but the car honestly works on it and passes where most of its classmates would get stuck.

Add to this reliability, does not break, unsurpassed quality and indestructibility along with an excellent price tag, you get the most honest car in terms of hardware, cross-country ability and functionality.

A little history

In fact, 1988 can be considered the starting point of creation, when the first Suzuki Escudo was released. But it officially rolled off the assembly line under the name Grand Vitara in 1997. In Japan it is called Suzuki Escudo, in the USA - Chevrolet Tracker. In Russia, sales began along with everyone else and ended with the end of production in 2014. Replaced by Suzuki Vitara until 2016.

The debut of the new generation is planned for 2020 - 2021, says the top manager of the Russian representative office of the brand, Takayuki Hasegawa, due to the continuing demand from the division’s customers and dealers, who confirm that there is a shortage of such a car in Russia. Most likely, it will be built on its own original base, and not inherited from the Vitara cart.

1st generation (09.1997-08.2005)

On sale are three (an open-top version is available) and a five-door frame crossover with rear-wheel drive and the Part Time 4FWD system, the essence of which is the ability to rigidly connect/disconnect the front axle by the driver manually at a speed of no more than 100 km/h, and engage a downshift only at a complete stop.

In 2001, the model range was replenished with an extended modification (the wheelbase increased by 32 cm) XL-7 (Grand Escudo) with a three-row cabin for seven people. The giant is equipped with a 2.7-liter V6 power unit, developing up to 185 hp.

The first Grand Vitara was equipped with 1.6 and 2.0 petrol in-line fours producing 94 and 140 hp. and V-shaped six-cylinder engines producing up to 158 hp. A 2-liter diesel engine, developing up to 109 horsepower, was exported to some countries. A five-speed manual or four-zone automatic transmission is paired with an internal combustion engine.

2nd generation (09.2005-07.2016)

This is the most popular generation, it was produced for 10 years without radical changes, and a huge army of car owners became the happy owners of it. What’s great is that all cars for domestic consumers were assembled in Japan.

The second Grand Vitara received a frame integrated into the body and permanent all-wheel drive with a differential lock and reduced speed. In Japan, the new product is available in four design solutions - Helly Hanson (especially for lovers of active recreation), Salomon (chrome body trim), Supersound Edition (for music lovers) and FieldTrek (luxury equipment).

In 2008, the manufacturer carried out the first minor modernization - the front bumper was changed, the front fenders became new and the wheel arches and radiator grille were highlighted, sound insulation was strengthened, and a display appeared in the center of the instrument panel. The restyled version has two new engines - a 2.4 liter 169 hp and the most powerful 3.2 liter 233 hp. The latter was not officially supplied to Russia, just like the diesel 1.9 liter Renault, which was exported to other markets. The transmission for all cars is a five-speed manual or a four-speed electronically controlled automatic with two modes - normal and sport.

The short three-door four-seater little one has only a 1.6 liter engine with 106 hp, its wheelbase is 2.2 meters, a small trunk and rear seats that fold separately. In the five-door configuration, five passengers are quite comfortable, and the two-liter engine with 140 hp. enough for full-fledged everyday driving in the city. To transport large luggage, the rear row is folded out in parts, and the volume of the cargo compartment increases from 275 to 605 liters.

The second change to the Grand Vitara in 2011 affected cars for the foreign market. The spare wheel was removed from the cargo compartment door, thus reducing the length of the vehicle by 20 cm. The environmental level of the diesel engine was brought to compliance with Euro 5. All basic configurations received an electronic drive in the transfer case for enabling/disabling the reduced speed and a self-locking differential. The force lock button is located on the center console.

An additional option is available - a driver assistance system when driving downhill. It maintains a speed of 5 or 10 km/h according to the transmission mode. And also when starting uphill and the ESP skid prevention system. The three-door car did not receive an improved transmission, so it does not have increased cross-country ability.

What engines are on the Suzuki Grand Vitara?

Engine model	Type	Volume, liters	Power, hp	Version
G16A	gasoline R4	1.6	94-107	SGV 1.6
G16B	inline four	1.6	94	SGV 1.6
M16A	in-line 4-cyl	1.6	106-117	SGV 1.6
J20A	in-line 4-cylinder	2	128-140	SGV 2.0
RF	diesel R4	2	87-109	SGV 2.0D
J24B	Benz row 4	2.4	166-188	SGV 2.4
H25A	petrol V6	2.5	142-158	SGV V6
H27A	petrol V6	2.7	172-185	SGV XL-7 V6
H32A	petrol V6	3.2	224-233	SGV 3.2

More advantages

Among the advantages of the Suzuki Grand Vitara, in addition to the main thing - the transmission, along with cost, dynamism and reliability, good handling, one can note a high level of safety with the highest scores in crash tests.

An important advantage on the exterior is the spacious interior, both for legs, overhead and to the sides, which most in the class do not have. Excellent visibility. The plastic, although hard, is of high quality, with plenty of space for every little thing.

...And the cons

There are disadvantages, like everyone else. One of the important ones is high fuel consumption, as a price to pay for all-wheel drive. In the city, a 2.0 liter with a manual transmission consumes up to 15 liters per 100 km. What can we say about more powerful ones and with an automatic machine. It’s a rare case that on the highway it’s possible to achieve 10 l/100 km. Most car owners note a low level of aerodynamics. The car is noisy and rough. The trunk volume is not small, but the shape is not convenient - high and narrow.

Is it worth buying, if so, with which engine?

After weighing all the pros and cons, most likely yes. Because there are few good, reliable, durable cars now. Manufacturers have not been interested in playing the long game for a long time. They need units, parts, mechanisms, and machines to be replaced more often with new ones. Suzuki Grand Vitara is not like that. There are many timeless classics here that will serve well for decades.

No turbocharged internal combustion engines, no robots, no CVTs - beautifully smooth and imperceptibly working hydromechanics with a long service life. The most important thing when purchasing a commercial vehicle is to avoid expensive repairs or frequent replacement of expensive items. If you choose this Japanese one, the price will be more than adequate.

Objectively, for a 5-door car, two liters and with passengers on a trip out of town and beyond will not be enough. Around the city, from work, home, to the shops - enough. Therefore, 2.4 liters with a power of 166 hp. - just right, and the 233 horses that the 3.2 liter produces is too much. For such power the car is light, it becomes dangerous, maneuverability is lost.

In general, the car is a real Japanese prude, which has everything you need to feel calm and safe on the road, to know and be confident, and not to guess, whether it will work or not on the off-road section. When creating the Grand Vitara, Suzuki did not waste time on creating a super-fashionable design, placing emphasis on the main thing.

The secondary market mostly features cars sold in the Russian Federation, but there are also “American” ones, but their condition much more often turns out to be much worse.

The car was supplied in two body styles – three- and five-door. All cars can boast of build quality - cars from Japan have always been in the forefront in this regard. The only thing that's possible note- this is on the fifth door. It often happens that on cars with high mileage, it sags under the weight of the spare tire.

This nuisance can easily be eliminated by adjusting the hinges.
Rust on a car can indicate that the car has been in an accident, after which was poor-quality repairs were made, or the previous owner was not very careful with his things.

electronics and Electrical equipment of this car from Japan is reliable, like all Japanese electronics, and in most cases does not cause trouble to its owner.
Engines on this model a couple were installed, the weakest of them - a 1.6-liter gasoline one, which is often seen on the secondary market. In most cases there are no problems with it, and with proper care it helps reliably and for a long time. The only thing you need to remember is to change the engine oil in a timely manner, and wait for the engine to warm up before driving.

Such precautions will allow the timing chain that was installed on this engine to last much longer.
Other motors more wonderful, and other than that they are not problematic. From time to time there are small problems, but they do not appear very often and are not constant.

Purchasing a car in order to have a Suzuki Grand Vitara with gasoline engine implies considerable waste, because, in addition, the not-so-great 2.4-liter engine will “eat” up to 20 liters of fuel in urban conditions in winter. The turbodiesel was installed in only 1.9 liters, but was not officially supplied to Russia due to the low quality of domestic fuel. We would not recommend buying such a car, because its breakdown due to domestic fuel is very possible, and not every technician will undertake to repair it.
Two types of gearboxes were installed on the cars - a five-speed manual and a four-speed automatic. Both boxes are quite reliable, but the mechanical one has more problems and fails less often. One of the reasons for clutch failure on a Grand Vitara is driving along a crossroads and crawling out of difficult places without using a lower gear.
When compared with its classmates, this jeep looks more serious - the differential lock and low gear make its purchase more attractive for fans of extreme driving.

Only an inexperienced car enthusiast can buy a used car and not check the suspension, despite the fact that with the Grand Vitara this is not such a huge need - this car has it very reliable. Yes, repairs can cost a lot of money, but they are worth it - the details go on for a very long time and do not often bother the owner.
There are no particular complaints about the brake pads or discs, but experts note the fact that the latter are prone to overheating from time to time.
In a word, the Grand Vitara is considered not only a car that is rugged in terms of cross-country ability, but also quite reliable and easy to repair, despite the fact that it is quite expensive.

• suzuki

Required reading:

Inspection of a used Suzuki Grand Vitara 2010 - deception everywhere.

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Not every SUV combines three qualities at once: excellent cross-country ability, high build quality and an affordable price. One of these was the Suzuki Grand Vitara, but, unfortunately, the car is no longer produced. A driver who chose this SUV over competitors such as the Toyota RAV4, Nissan X-Trail or Honda CR-V could not only save several thousand dollars, but also get a real SUV with excellent chassis - suspension, engine and transmission.

The legendary generation will be replaced by a new one, which has nothing in common with the previous one. Since 2015, Suzuki Grand Vitara can only be found.

History of Suzuki Grand Vitara

The Vitara line was first introduced in 1988. By releasing this model, manufacturers wanted to become the founders of a new class of cars - compact SUVs. They actually managed to be the first to introduce such a classification, but from a technical point of view, AvtoVAZ did it earlier with their Niva. The design features of the Vitara bring it closer to ordinary SUVs: a separate frame and connected front-wheel drive. At first, the new Suzuki model could be classified either as a bad crossover or as a parody of an SUV.

About a quarter of a century later, the Grand Vitara was redesigned under pressure from competitors who were ready to push the car out of the market. Manufacturers made the body load-bearing, and front-wheel drive was connected through a center differential, which worked constantly. In addition, the lower number of transmission gears turned out to be a very advantageous solution compared to the others - the Grand Vitara became very competitive.

In different countries, the car is known as the Suzuki XL7, Grand Nomade and Grand Escudo (the versions with three doors and a short body did not have the “grand” prefix). It has been produced this way since 2005. It is noteworthy that the Vitara shared a common chassis with some General Motors cars, but from a design point of view these cars were very different.

Properties of a used Suzuki Grand Vitara

It should be borne in mind that the specific ones completely depend on its operating history. It is impossible to find two identical models. Each Grand Vitara will have its own consequences of use by the previous owner. One way or another, the car has a number of common features that unite the entire Grand Vitara line.

Now the greatest demand exists for the third generation of SUV from Suzuki. It combines excellent driving properties and high quality, while having an affordable price. Thus, copies of the Grand Vitara, which were produced from 2005 to 2014, are the most desirable among the entire series. Cars 5–7 years old can be found on the secondary market at prices ranging from 400 to 900 thousand rubles.

On the Russian used car market, American and Russian versions of the Grand Vitara are most often found. European options, as a rule, are rare, but they are also more expensive, which negates the availability of the model. Their condition speaks in favor of European configurations. The Russian version, which we used, is usually of lower quality, which is due to the constant exposure to salt on the roads in winter. At the same time, most Americans are characterized by a careless style of operation - they fill the Grand Vitara with cheap oil, and then drive it for several years. Due to such use, the condition of the vehicle deteriorates. In addition, such an ailment cannot be corrected by flushing the engine.

Engine

During sales, the Grand Vitara was equipped with four gasoline and two turbodiesel engines. The weakest of all had a volume of 1.6 liters and 94 horsepower (most often installed on the three-door version), while the most dynamic engine had a volume of 2.7 liters and a power of 173 horsepower. With. (installed only on the five-door version). It should be borne in mind that when purchasing a Grand Vitara on the secondary market, the driver will be deprived of the opportunity to choose an engine, so he will have to be content with what is available.

More powerful Suzuki engines allow you to quickly gain speed from the start, but they also consume a lot of fuel. One of the properties of the Grand Vitara's chassis system is that when driving on a slippery road, a powerful engine coupled with a short wheelbase makes the car slide. This is especially unpleasant for an SUV.

As for operation, all Grand Vitara engines are reliable and durable. Of course, their condition must be maintained by qualified and timely maintenance. As a rule, a Suzuki driver is forced to clean the radiator and change antifreeze when the mileage counter reaches another 60,000 kilometers.

Most often on the market you can find a Grand Vitara equipped with a two-liter gasoline engine with a capacity of 140 hp. With. The engine is relatively unpretentious and can be powered by 92-octane fuel, but it is clearly not enough to reach the full speed of a one and a half ton SUV. During dynamic trips around the city it is approximately 15 liters per 100 km.

Transmission

Regardless of the engine, the Grand Vitara was equipped with both a manual and automatic transmission. This means that any combination of engine and transmission can be found on the secondary market. The mechanical version is characterized by “tight” shifting into reverse gear - you have to take a short pause before the system, which does not have a synchronizer, allows you to shift. The automatic transmission has no complaints about shifting and copes well not only with movement, but also with the transportation of large trailers.

The disadvantage of the Grand Vitara’s transmission is the “part-time” system. The front axle is rigidly connected, which allows you to use all-wheel drive only on slippery roads and for a short time. So, the Suzuki front axle must always be in a disabled state. When choosing a used model, you should pay attention to this - if the engaged drive is accompanied by shocks, it means that the gearbox is “killed” and it is better not to buy the car.

Suspension

The suspension of the Suzuki Grand Vitara is excellent for use in Russian conditions. Even on a used car, it needs repairs no more often than every 80,000 kilometers. However, there is still a small drawback - the front stabilizer mounts need to be changed every 25,000 kilometers. Their life expectancy cannot be increased even by installing original units.

Body

In five-door versions of the Grand Vitara, the trunk door occasionally sags. The reason for this is the heavy spare wheel. This problem can be corrected with a simple adjustment. Also, over time, the engine fan fails. You can either repair it or buy a new one - such expenses occur no more than once every 2 years. These small flaws are not critical, so the Suzuki body is highly reliable.

Equipment

In the minimal version of the Grand Vitara you can find quite good functionality: six airbags, which, together with the rigid body of later versions, provide reliable protection, climate control, anti-lock braking system and central locking.

The most equipped version, in addition to everything, has ESP, curtain airbags, cruise control, a built-in computer with navigation, power steering, xenon/bi-xenon and fog lights, leather upholstery, full power accessories and a media system.

Bottom line

Each driver must answer the question of whether to buy a used Suzuki Grand Vitara individually. Many car enthusiasts consider this SUV model to be a family model and purchase it for the corresponding needs, but there are also fans of extreme driving who. One way or another, for its price, the Grand Vitara provides the buyer with excellent cross-country ability and high reliability. The disadvantage is the part-time transmission, which is not the best choice for a real SUV. If this is critical, then you should take a closer look at the more expensive Toyota RAV4, Nissan X-Trail or Honda CR-V.