Kelley Blue Book ® - 2003 Suzuki Grand Vitara Overview

Here's a cool little SUV that is stylish, rugged and affordable. The Grand Vitara is Suzuki's answer to such vehicles as the Hyundai Santa Fe, Honda CRV and Toyota RAV 4. What the Grand Vitara offers over its competitors is the combination of a truck-like body-on-frame chassis with a powerful V6 engine. The term "body-on-frame" means just that; the body of the vehicle is lowered and bolted onto a heavy-duty steel frame that bears the lion's share of the vehicle load. A body-on-frame vehicle is a much better platform for people who do serious off-roading as well as heavy towing. Most of the Grand Vitara's competitors use a more car-like structure called unit body that forms a single shell of sheet metal with the suspension and drivetrain attached directly to it.

Beyond its truck-like construction, you'll find much to like about the Grand Vitara, beginning with its handsome exterior. Though compact in dimension, Suzuki designers have managed to create a very attractive vehicle that looks much more expensive than it really is. We think you'll like the Grand Vitara's looks for the same reason we do; nothing about the design seems too space-age or futuristic. The heavy-duty urethane side panels have been shaped so that they do not stand out but rather complement the Grand Vitara's design; a sporty set of thick, five spoke alloy wheels, flush-mounted head lamps and dark privacy glass all around complete the package.

Open the door to the Grand Vitara and you're in for a real treat; this is not a stripped down son of the Samurai, the Grand Vitara is one thoroughly equipped vehicle. Last year's Limited model has been phased out and much of its most desirable content has been transplanted to the 2003 model, leaving only one well-equipped trim level. Slip inside and you'll immediately notice the firm feel of the seats and be dazzled by the all-new dash with its soft-touch plastics and brushed aluminum trim. Directly in front of you is a large hooded binnacle housing a new electroluminescent instrument cluster containing the speedometer, tach, fuel and temperature gauges. To your right reside the controls for the automatic air conditioning (complete with pollen filter) and a powerful 7-speaker AM/FM/CD stereo with subwoofer. Other interior niceties include power windows, power door locks, tilt wheel, cruise control and steering-wheel-mounted controls for the audio and cruise.

Passenger comfort overall is very good for those upfront, but somewhat cramped if you're placing two adults in the rear seat. The front seats are a bit on the narrow side, so your overall comfort will of course be relative to your shape and size. You'll find plenty of small storage areas including a small flip-up center armrest console. Cargo room behind the second row seat is not huge, but you can certainly fit five or six bags of groceries or a small cooler and some beach chairs. Lay flat the split-folding rear seat and you'll find a vastly improved cargo hold that can carry just about all the gear two people will need for a weekend adventure. Suzuki has even taken your pets into consideration, teaming up with the ASPCA to provide tips and accessories to safely strap in your pooch or kitty carrier.

Lest you get the idea that the Grand Vitara is more luxury oriented than outdoorsman, we direct your attention to the little SUV's off-road and towing ability. The Grand Vitara is powered by a sturdy 165- horsepower V6 that provides plenty of low-end torque necessary for towing and four-wheeling. The V6 seems to be geared more for pulling than performance and you'll notice its acceleration and passing ability rate about average for this class; you may also find the sound of the V6 to be a bit course, but its not disturbingly rough and the engine's demeanor seems to fit the Grand Vitara's image; this is an SUV after all, not a Lexus.

Power is run through a five-speed manual transmission, but you can opt for Suzuki's dependable four-speed automatic if you'd rather not shift your own gears. The Grand Vitara comes standard with rear-wheel drive and offers the option of four-wheel drive for just a bit more money. The Grand Vitara's four-wheel system is a true off-roaders dream; it features a shift-on-the-fly lever that allows you to engage the four-wheel drive while the vehicle is in motion at speeds up to 60-mph. However the Grand Vitara's four-wheel drive is designed for off-road or driving only; it is not like an all-wheel-drive system that can be left on in all driving conditions. The upside to this system is that it features a two-speed high/low transfer case that allows you to take the Grand Vitara places no all-wheel-drive vehicle ever could.