2007 Suzuki Grand Vitara 2.0 petrol from Italy

Faults:

Air conditioning fault. Have had to replace twice. Total cost 2000 euros!

Engine oil consumption of 1L every 6.000 km.

General Comments:

Very expensive running cost. Average fuel consumption is 12l/100km!

Performance is terrible. I guess the reason is that the 2.0L petrol engine is underpowered for an automatic transmission. Should be at least 2.4L or more... RPM are always 3.000 or more. Engine oil consumption of 1L every 6.000 km.

My previous Kia Sportage, 2.0L diesel with automatic transmission (latest model made in Korea for EU) lasted almost 300k km and never saw the car shop!

First and last experience with Suzuki, sorry...

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No

Review Date: 2nd June, 2016

2007 Suzuki Grand Vitara DDiS 1.9 turbo diesel from Australia and New Zealand

Summary:

Sturdy, reasonably reliable workhorse

Faults:

Starter motor failure while on holiday, requiring towage, repair and return home in a rental vehicle.

The auto-electrician was disparaging about the engine (a Renault), and recommended getting rid of the vehicle before it had done another 50,000 km.

Otherwise no problems.

General Comments:

I bought this on an impulse - I live rurally and thought a 4WD would be a good idea. Cost me $24k second hand from a dealer - two years old.

Not a terribly refined vehicle in diesel form, but an honest worker. Does the basics well.

Good economy - overall 35 mpg, 40 mpg on a long run. Economy gauge was in km/l, not l/100km as is the norm.

Moderately noisy engine, quite peppy - 300 Nm from a 1.9 turbo diesel, which is more than some of the old 3 litre Prado diesels.

Handling was reasonably good, but being a high ride (which I enjoyed), there was always a reluctance to take corners too quickly.

I would have loved cruise control for long journeys, but this is not available in the diesel Vitaras.

I took it off-road out on a farm with some steep hills, and it coped well with five people aboard.

A good looking vehicle in my opinion. After the starter motor failure, I sold it privately for $18k and bought a 1995 Lexus LS400, which because of its low purchase price (less than $8k) will be cheaper to own than the Vitara (which needs road user charges and more expensive maintenance).

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 27th August, 2011

12th Jan 2012, 06:59

There is a cruise control on the diesel Grand Vitara 2007 I have! Probably the difference is I am in Europe...

26th Sep 2015, 21:31

You can change the units of the fuel economy from Km/L to L/100km to MPG.

2007 Suzuki Grand Vitara X-EC 2.0 from UK and Ireland

Summary:

Capable and comfortable

Faults:

Nothing.

General Comments:

Only had car 2 weeks and and my first impressions are very good.

No rattles or squeaks, comfortable and spacious after our outgoing RX-8.

Not the most powerful engine, the 2.0 petrol, and being auto, first mpg not very good, around 28 mpg, but after 18-20 mpg from the RX, it's a welcome relief.

Nice features on the X-EC; cruise, electric sunroof, alcantara seats etc. Very pleased with car, it seems to do what it says on the label.

Seems a well put together safe car, changed it mainly as wife has an ongoing back problem and this car is ideal with seats you can get straight into at the right height, and being an auto, it's a dream to drive.

The auto box, even though it is only 4 speed, changes very slickly, unlike the lurching of a few X-Trails we tested.

Amazed that a lot of the controls and layout seems to replicate the Mazda!

Only oddity is the fuel gauge takes ages to go up after you fill up, about 45 minutes, but OK after it reaches the top. Will get the dealer to check it out under warranty.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 15th November, 2009

7th Feb 2010, 17:40

Follow up to my above post.

Now had car just over 3 months, and apart from a joke of a dealer who seem little interested in me as a customer or my car, the 3 months have shown that this car is very capable in the recent snow, and it felt sure footed whatever was thrown at it.

Only down side of what is a great car is the average mpg seems to be a poor 23.

Bottom three rear window elements not heating, and on a 25 mile trip, which was booked in at the dealers, I was fobbed off with being told they cannot issue a warranty claim as the master technician needs to check it over, and guess what.. it's his day off today!! Have had three other trips before this to get a second remote programmed, as the previous owner had lost it and Suzuki say they are ordering the right part, but they come faulty, three times!! They tell me now it's in hand with Suzuki Germany. Don't know why as I'm in the UK, probably a dealer fob off.

Bubbling on chromed front trim, dealer takes photos and 6 weeks later no decision whether it will be a warranty job.

But apart from dealer gripes, it is a good car, transported 4 adults and 4 very large cases and other luggage without the need to lose any rear seating.

Would I buy another, probably not due to the bad dealership around me.