The Suzuki Grand Vitara is loaded with extras in its standard package. (Photo by Len Ingrassia)

By Len Ingrassia
CNHI News Service

Although you could find more refined compact SUVs, you’d be hard-pressed to find a more affordable car than the Suzuki Grand Vitara with so many extras included as standard equipment.

The base SUV, starting under $20,000 comes standard with navigation, climate control, XM compatible audio system, stability and traction control systems.

Premium, Ultimate Adventure and Limited Edition models round out this year’s offerings. And even with the Limited, loaded with options, the price is around $26,000 including leather, hands-free Bluetooth calling, a backup camera and all-wheel drive. A definite advantage for the price conscious consumer.

The Grand Vitara is unchanged from its 2011 and 2010 model. A V-6 engine available as an option prior to this year, has been dropped from the lineup and replaced with a 2.4-liter, four-cylinder engine developing 166 horsepower.

The test car I drove for a week was the Ultimate Adventure Edition, presumably aimed at the outdoors crowd. One of its more interesting features includes synthetic, water resistant seats for easy cleaning. Also on board are 18-inch smoked alloy wheels, fog lamps, heated front seats and side view mirror turn signals.

Inside cabin room is adequate, front to back, with 70 cubic feet of cargo space with rear seats folded. The width seems a little cramped with less hip, shoulder and leg room. Interior trim is appointed with satin nickel accent.

Engineers crafted a pop-up compartment to house the detachable Garmin navigation unit mounted atop the center console on each Grand Vitara.

Electronic stability control and traction control; 4-wheel anti-lock brakes and Electronic brake force distribution come standard on all models.

Fuel economy is not as good as you might expect with a 4-cylinder power plant. Tougher EPA fuel ratings claimed 19 city and 23 miles per gallon on the highway. My average fuel economy during a week of test driving was 18.5 miles per gallon due in part to its full-time, 4-wheel drive gearbox.

I found the small four cylinder engine under-powered the SUV. It seemed to be laboring in city driving and mostly high-revving and loud in highway use. Perhaps dropping the V6 as an option was premature.

Another glitch I ran into was feedback and not the good kind. This feedback came through the speakers as a loud, medium-pitch, pulsating buzz that may have been caused by interference between audio and Bluetooth settings.

While not constant the buzzing repeated randomly throughout the week.

On the U.S. scene since 2001, the Grand Vitara sold fewer than 5,000 vehicles during 2011 compared with the KIA Sportage with more than 47,000.

Still, the Grand Vitara is a good choice for the consumer looking for value in a small SUV loaded with options that would cost extra with the competition.

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Len Ingrassia is an automotive columnist for CNHI News Service. Contact him at editor@ptd.net.

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Stats:
2012 Suzuki Grand Vitara, Ultimate Adventure Edition
Engine: 2.4-liter DOHC
EPA rated mileage: 19 city, 23 highway
Base price: $23,949
As tested: $24,569
Assembled: Iwata, Japan; U.S./Canadian parts, 1 percent; major source of foreign parts, Japan, 88 percent; country of origin / engine – Japan; transmission - Japan.
Crash test ratings: Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) its highest overall value of “good” for frontal and side impact; National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) scores it at 4 out of 5 for rollover resistance.
Warranty: 7 year/ 100,000-mile powertrain limited warranty; 3 year/36,000 roadside assistance.

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The console of the Suzuki Grand Vitara is a sight to behold. (Photo by Len Ingrassia)