The following review is for a 2006 Model Year. There may be minor changes to current model you are looking at.

Genuine off-roader delivers great value.

Introduction

Nowadays there are many choices among small SUVs. Most owners have no desire to ever go off-road. No problem, the front-drive Honda CR-Vs and Toyota RAV4s of the world do just fine. Some occasionally want to wander onto dirt roads, nothing serious mind you. An automatic four-wheel-drive system works fine, and there's the Hyundai Tucson and Kia Sportage for them. 

Then there are those who really dig an SUV for what it was originally intended. They want to get down and dirty and go where low gear and a locked differential is a necessity, not a luxury. Their choices are limited to Jeeps and a few others. 

The all-new 2006 Suzuki Grand Vitara has just expanded this latter category. 

Unlike the previous Grand Vitara, this is no small toy-like off-roader. Finally befitting of its grand name, the 2006 Grand Vitara is a grownup, five-seat, V6-powered SUV with enough sophistication that it's just as much at home on the highway as it is way off the highway. 

Lineup

Technically, the 2006 Grand Vitara comes in just one trim level, but several variants are available, featuring two-wheel drive or four-wheel drive, automatic or manual transmissions, cloth or leather, and other features. All are well equipped. 

The 2.7-liter V6 engine comes standard on all models. Also standard: automatic climate control with a micron air-filtration system, cruise control, digital clock with outside temperature and fuel consumption indicators, power door locks with a remote key, power mirrors and power windows. The standard sound system features an AM/FM/CD/MP3/WMA unit that is XM Satellite Radio-ready and features steering-wheel-mounted controls. 

The base Grand Vitara 2WD ($18,999) uses rear-wheel drive and a five-speed manual transmission. (All prices are manufactured suggested retail and do not include the destination charge.) A five-speed electronically controlled automatic transmission is optional ($1,000). 

The base Grand Vitara 4WD model ($20,199) uses a full-time single-mode four-wheel-drive system. 

A Premium Package ($900) includes alloy wheels, privacy glass and six-disc in-dash CD changer. 

The XSport ($21,099) includes the Premium Package along with the five-speed automatic and a SmartPass keyless entry and start system. The XSport 4WD model ($22,499) features a full-time four-mode four-wheel-drive system. 

The Luxury model ($22,999) adds leather seating surfaces, woodgrain trim, electric sunroof, 17-inch alloy wheels, a HomeLink wireless control system and some other minor upgrades. The 4WD Luxury model ($24,399) features the full-time four-mode system. 

Textured fender flares are available as a dealer-installed accessory (about $400). 

Safety features that come standard on all models include an Electronic Stability Program with traction control, anti-lock brakes with electronic brake-force distribution. That's an impressive array of active safety features, which work together to reduce the chance of skidding and help drivers avoid accidents. Passive safety features include six airbags: advanced dual-stage front airbags, seat-mounted side-impact airbags for torso protection for driver and front passenger, and front and rear side-curtain airbags for head protection for the four passengers in the outboard seats. 

Walkaround

The all-new 2006 Grand Vitara is bigger all around than the previous-generation (pre-2006) models. In fact, it has gone from being the second smallest (just ahead of the Jeep Wrangler) to among the largest of the compact SUVs, which has become a highly competitive segment. 

Based off a striking concept shown a year ago, the Grand Vitara has a pleasant modern look that effectively combines the style of an off-road vehicle with that of a sedan. 

It has large fender flares covering wheels that are located near the four corners for a good stance. The headlights blend nicely into the top edge of the front bumper, grille surround and front edge of the full width hood. From the side there is a gentle curve that runs back as a wedge shape along the lower edge of the windows to blend in nicely with the rear tail light cluster that then leads the eye down to the low, rear bumper. 

The tailgate opens from the side and has a full-width window. The spare tire is mounted on the tailgate under a body color-matched plastic cover, which obstructs rearward visibility for the driver somewhat. 

Unlike some small SUVs, the Grand Vitara is not based off a sedan platform. Instead, it has a unibody construction (as found on a sedan) with a built-in ladder frame (as found on a truck). 

Interior

The 2006 Suzuki Grand Vitara is roomy and comfortable. Suzuki claims it has class-leading interior space and we believe it as there is a decent amount of space inside for passengers and cargo. Our first impressions of the Grand Vitara's interior were positive as the quality of materials was better than expected. 

The dashboard has character with a large center stack containing well-integrated sound system controls that are just to the right of the steering wheel. The large buttons for controlling the all-wheel-drive system and climate controls also fall easily to hand and the labeling is comprehensible. The instruments are located in three large deep pods in front of the steering wheel. All models include redundant audio controls as well as cruise control buttons on the steering wheel; learning to use them can reduce distraction while driving. 

Rear-seat passengers will find plenty of legroom and a decent amount of headroom, although slightly less than in some competitors. The rear seat splits 60/40 for carrying different load combinations. The rear cargo floor is lower than in many SUVs so there is a reasonable amount of storage space even when the rear seat is in use, but the distance from the rear seat back to the tailgate is relatively shallow. 

Driving Impression

On the highway, the Grand Vitara handles as grandly as a car-based SUV. That's to say it has a smooth ride. It may not be as smooth as a Ford Escape or Honda CR-V, but it's comfortable enough and easy to drive. The Grand Vitara absorbs potholes well. Thanks to a low center of gravity, the handling seems better than most SUVs. The steering is fine, not like that of a sports car but not sloppy or over-assisted. We tried 2WD and 4WD models on the highway and found no discernable difference in ride or handling. 

Performance from the V6 engine is good, if not scintillating. It's responsive and easy around town. It's enough to tow up to 3000 pounds, which is a more than reasonable for a compact SUV. The Grand Vitara itself takes kindly to being towed, which is important for RV owners; a Neutral setting on models with the AWD four-mode system disconnects the entire drivetrain; this lessens wear and tear on the drivetrain and avoids putting non-driven miles on the odometer. 

Two all-wheel-drive systems are offered in the Grand Vitara. The full-time single-mode four-wheel drive, available in the base and Premium Package models, has a transfer case with a differential for full-time operation in 4H mode. The full-time four-mode four-wheel drive offered with the XSport and Luxury Packages has a transfer case with a locking differential and a low range. The operating modes are: 4H, 4H locked, 4L locked, and Neutral for flat-towing behind an RV. The transfer case ratio is 1.97:1. 

We drove off highway in a Grand Vitara with the Luxury package, which includes the four-mode 4WD system, and it proved to be a stellar performer. It rode smoothly while traversing a graded dirt road, taking ruts in stride. Nothing surprising there, as a car could have tackled the dirt road. 

But then we headed off the graded track to an uphill section strewn with boulders that was nothing much more than a dry streambed. No way could any vehicle without a low gear tackle this. We tried it in 4H but within yards a boulder stopped our forward movement. After gingerly backing down, we shifted the automatic transmission into neutral and turned and pushed the knob to engage Low gear. Gently easing the gas pedal we inched up the steep mountain trail, crawling from rock to rock as we tried hard to avoid hitting the undercarriage. We weren't entirely successful, as we did misjudge one maneuver and left a small ding in the passenger side doorsill. One driver said this exercise, directed by Suzuki, was too much. Maybe it was too much for that driver, but it certainly wasn't too much for the Grand Vitara. We thought it proved that this SUV has true off-road capabilities with good ground clearance, approach, departure and break-over angles as well as short front and rear overhangs. Good off-road maneuvering might not be a trait required by most SUV buyers nowadays, but surely it is still desired by some. 

Summary

The Suzuki Grand Vitara is a solid choice among compact SUVs. It's particularly suitable for someone who wants some off-road capability or needs a vehicle to hook up behind a 36-foot motor home. It's smooth enough to take you to dinner at the fancy restaurant down town. Yet it's rugged enough to include a low gear and locking differential for tackling rugged trails and unimproved roads. 

New Car Test Drive correspondent John Rettie filed this report from somewhere north of Vancouver, British Columbia. 

Model Lineup

Suzuki Grand Vitara 2WD Manual ($18,999); 2WD Automatic ($19,999); XSport 2WD Automatic ($21,099); Luxury 2WD Automatic ($22,999); 4WD Manual ($20,199); 4WD Automatic ($21,199); XSport 4WD Automatic ($22,499); Luxury 4WD Automatic ($24,399). 

Assembled In

Japan. 

Options As Tested

none.