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Consumer Test Drive - 1999 Suzuki Grand Vitara
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| Overall Rating: |
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| Updated |
Jun 10, 2004 21:07:57 |
| Rating |
 71 ( -10 -14.08% ) | | Author | Daniel Ramirez |
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Description:
Comfort Rating:
Performance Rating:
Quality Rating:
Appearance Rating:
Favorite Feature:
Great, quiet V6 that shames the competition. Great ride. Head-turning good looks. Solid build quality to take on anything, be it inclement weather, city driving, or off-roading. And- value, value, VALUE.
Least Favorite Feature:
Cramped backseat for 5. Adequate cargo space at best for a small family, but excellent for a single person or couples.
Advice to Buyer:
Opt for the V6 over the base Vitara. Test drive its competitors first, then the Grand Vitara. Also note- it is easier to negotiate prices on a Grand Vitara because it is not as well-known. Use that to your advantage.
Detailed Review:
I have extensively test-driven this vehicle, and have come away very impressed. Here's why:
POWER: The V6 engine is great. The Grand Vitara is not a racehorse, but it moves the little truck easily onto the highway and makes passing drama free. The competition was downright scary.
RIDE: The suspension feels sporty, and keeps the truck's tires firmly to the ground. The engine is remarkably quiet for a vehicle in this class- much quieter than the Honda CR-V. There is a bit of wind noise when speeds pass 65 mph, but again quieter than its competitors.
COMFORT: The front seats are very comfortable- they provide excellent support for long rides and yet you still feel like you are sitting IN them, not ON them. The rear seat is a bit small, but could still accomodate two adults comfortably for a long drive. Add a third and you'll have people asking for 'shotgun' at every gas stop.
BUILD QUALITY: It is amazing for me how far Suzuki has come with this product. The build quality was right on par with its competitors (head and shoulders above the Kia Sportage). In addition, the Grand Vitara is built to take on more than the CR-V or RAV4. It is not just a compact car raised up on bigger tires. It is a small truck that rides like a car- just what people in this segment are looking for. The doors shut with a solid 'THUD', and the interior was rattle free, even through bumpy terrain. This is a well put-together vehicle.
VALUE: The Grand Vitara comes loaded to the gills for just under $20,000- less than the CR-V and RAV4. The Grand Vitara feels like a car costing a couple of thousand bucks more. It is worth paying a little more to avoid the Kia Sportage.
Also Considered:
1999 Honda CR-V
1999 Toyota RAV4
1999 Kia Sportage
Vehicle Purchased:
1999 Suzuki Grand Vitara
Reviewer Information:
Location - Corpus Christi, Texas |
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