2008 Suzuki Grand Vitara 4WD XSport w/Sunroof Reviewed by Susan Frissell
	Visions of the first Grand Vitara are still fresh when they held boasting rights in 1995 as the only V6 small sport-ute on the market. Grand Vitara's six-cylinder wasn't noticeably a six, with underwhelming power, but it was a nice compact SUV. Since that time, many others have entered the market surpassing Grand Vitara's offerings. The 2008 Grand Vitara is a much more refined and capable model than its predecessor, sporting a larger V6 engine and more horsepower. A compact, yet rugged SUV, the Grand Vitara is of unibody construction with built-in ladder frame to provide good collision protection. Anti-lock brakes, and Electronic Stability Program, Vitara is also equipped with such safety features as side curtain airbags, front seat-mounted side impact airbags, dual stage front airbags, tire pressure monitoring system and Traction Control System. The Grand Vitara is available in four trim levels: Base, Premium, XSport and Luxury. The Base version comes equipped with standard five-speed manual transmission (four-speed automatic available), as does the Premium trim level. XSport and Luxury models come equipped with either Rear-wheel-drive or four-wheel-drive and standard four-speed automatic transmission. The 4-speed automatic transmission is available on the Premium version, and the XSport and luxury versions offer the automatic tranny as standard. The Base model is only available in rear-wheel-drive. Our test vehicle, the XSport version with power tilt/slide sunroof, keyless entry and starting system, 6-disc CD player, 16-inch alloy/aluminum wheels, roof rack rails, fog lamps. Those XSport models equipped with the V6 engine also get the Hill Descent Control and Hill Hold Control features to assist in mountain driving. Seventeen-inch wheels and an 8-speaker audio system with subwoofer and center channel speaker is also standard in the XSport version. Door-mounted courtesy lights are very helpful when exiting/entering the Grand Vitara during night time hours. The full-spare tire cover is deleted and replaced by a matching alloy cover to give it a real SUV look. Grand Vitara gets a four-star frontal crash and rollover rating and a five-star (in a five-star point system) for side crashes. Plans for the 2009 model include a more developed 2.4-liter, four-cylinder engine with 166 horsepower, a new 3.2-liter V6 engine with 230 horsepower in the Premium in Luxury versions. The four-cylinder engine will be matched with a standard five-speed manual transmission or 4-speed automatic; the V6 matched to a standard five-speed automatic. New improvements to safety features will also be available in 2009 models.
SPECS MSRP: $23,749; no destination and handling fee. Engine: 2.7-liter V6 EFI DOHC, 185 hp., 184 lb. ft. torque Transmission: 4-mode full-time 4WD System w/Low Range Off-road Gearing; 5-speed automatic Wheelbase: 103.9 in. Height: 66.7 in. Length: 177.1 in. Width: 71.3 in. Weight: 3,876 lbs. (4WD) Tires: P225/70R16; full-size spare Wheels: 16-inch alloy EPA Fuel Economy: 17/21 mpg. Warranty: 100,000-mile/7yr. transferable powertrain limited; 24/7/365 roadside assistance; Warranty repair courtesy car; full tank of gas