2009 Suzuki Grand Vitara JLX Road Test Review

by
Canadian Auto Press

Count on Vancouver to receive a freak snowstorm in the middle of March! In my many years of living on the West Coast

The Grand Vitara has been around for a while, but it still looks fresh. (Photo: Canadian Auto Press)

I can’t recall when it last snowed this late in the winter, mere days from spring. Admittedly the majority the Canadians reading this might not feel much sympathy — after all, Vancouver’s climate is mild compared to most of the county — but these kinds of weather conditions throw a real curve ball into the driving equation, making for tumultuous traffic and backups galore.

But sitting in the cabin of the 2009 Suzuki Grand Vitara JLX, barely able to inch forward because of the traffic, I wasn’t too bothered by the gridlock because I had plenty of creature comforts taking my mind off the two-hour-drive-that-usually-takes-me-half-an-hour. I was nice and toasty thanks to the Grand Vitara's heated, cloth-upholstered seats and I was able to appreciate its redesigned centre stack, which is significantly more visually stimulating than the previous model. Somewhat distracted by the comedic stylings of Howard Stern on the car’s XM radio, I peered out the windshield at the snow falling from a white sky.

Given the poor road conditions I felt a comforting sense of safety thanks to the protection offered by the Grand Vitara’s rigid, integrated ladder-frame construction.

Clean lines form into impressive functionality (Photo: Canadian Auto Press)

Its rock-hard body structure not only comes equipped with multiple airbags but the strength of a thousand men! Okay, that’s maybe not quite accurate, but it is true that the Grand Vitara has a 1,360-kg (3,000-lb) towing capacity, making it the most potent 4-cylinder SUV in its class in terms of towing ability.

You’re not reading it wrong when I say the Grand Vitara comes with a 4-cylinder engine. The new-for-2009, 2.4L, 16-valve, DOHC inline-four develops 166 horsepower and 165 lb-ft of torque. With a 6,500 rpm redline the engine doesn’t really come alive until after 3,000 rpm, but it proved capable enough, picked up the pace in a reasonable amount of time and was relatively good on gas, using an estimated 11.2L/100km in the city and 8.6L/100km on the highway. Furthermore, Suzuki has added extra soundproofing materials to make the cabin as quiet as possible when accelerating quickly in the 4-banger (or the available V6, for that matter). Granted it’s not so quiet that you can’t hear what’s going on outside, but quiet enough not to sound too busy when the revs are getting up there.

What

Dial-a-drive... just spin the knob on the lower left and select the optimal 4WD setup. (Photo: Canadian Auto Press)

makes the Grand Vitara exceptionally appealing to many buyers is its off-road infused DNA. All Grand Vitara models come with Suzuki's 4WD system. The base JA model has a 5-speed manual transmission and two-speed transfer case, while the higher trim levels come with an automatic transmission and two-speed lockable transfer case. The four transfer settings in the JLX include 4-HI, 4-HI LOCK , 4-LO LOCK and NEUTRAL. Each setting is tailored to conform to various driving conditions. Selecting 4-HI enables the SUV to perform its 4x4 duties on "normal" driving surfaces including tarmac, gravel, snow and such; 4-HI LOCK is an off-road-ready mode that locks the front and rear axles together to provide increased traction on rough trails; 4-LO LOCK is used at crawling speeds and on more challenging terrain, and NEUTRAL allows the Grand Vitara to be towed. So whether I was headed out on snowy streets or up to the trails for a day of off-roading, the Grand Vitara could accommodate my driving needs without breaking the bank in fuel costs!

In addition to its impressive towing capacity and 4WD system, the Grand Vitara features a four-wheel independent suspension. This setup provides plenty of compliance over the rough stuff and a firm, stable ride in the city, but it

A really upscale interior for the compact class. (Photo: Canadian Auto Press)

feels more truck-like on the highways than competing vehicles such as the Toyota Rav4 or Mazda Tribute. The Suzuki is more trail ready than most compact SUVs and therefore the ride tends to be somewhat less accommodating at highway speeds, with a bit more bounce over dips and bumps. It still maintained composure at highway speeds, no doubt, but if you want a more car-like ride that also has a Suzuki 4WD system, the SX4 hatchback may be a better bet.

Loaded with some top-notch safety features, the Grand Vitara comes standard with ABS brakes featuring EBD and BA (Electronic Brake Distribution and Brake Assist), plus ESP (Electronic Stability Program) with traction control in case the slippery streets or trails get the better part of this tough cookie. It comes standard with P225/65R17 all-season tires for useable traction in most driving conditions. As for features that don’t involve safety, this compact SUV comes with plenty of them including air conditioning, cruise control, a SmartPass keyless entry and start system, 17-inch aluminum alloy wheels, sunroof and more.

While

The rear door can hang a tire, but it can an awkward setup for loading stuff into. (Photo: Canadian Auto Press)

I thoroughly enjoyed riding around in the ’09 Grand Vitara, I wasn’t too thrilled about the rear cargo door. Like the Toyota Rav4, the Grand Vitara's rear door opens out, not up. After grocery shopping and putting the bags in the trunk area, I went to parallel park on my street, only to realize that I couldn’t open the door wide enough to get my groceries out. I ended up folding the 60/40 split rear seats down and pulling my bags out of the trunk and through the rear passenger doors. It wasn’t a big deal this one time, but I could see it getting tedious if it happened more often.

Overall, the 2009 Suzuki Grand Vitara JLX is a great fit for anyone who wants a compact SUV that isn’t completely limited to the city streets. It’s a sturdy rig and looks nice from the inside and out. And thanks to the new 4-cylinder engine, it’s even more fuel efficient than before. With a reasonable price tag and loads of features, don’t be surprised to see the Grand Vitara gracing the streets in ever-increasing numbers.

Specifications (Suzuki Grand Vitara JLX):

• Price Range (MSRP): $25,995 (JA) to $32,695 (JLX-L V6)
• Price as Tested: $28,995
• Destination: $1,550
• Body Type: 5-door SUV
• Layout: front engine, 4WD
• Engine: 166 hp, 162 lb-ft of torque, 2.4L, 16-valve DOHC I4 (available 230 hp, 213 lb-ft, 3.2L V6)
• Transmission: 4-spd auto (5-spd manual in the base JA)
• Brakes (front/rear): disc/disc, ABS, EBD, BA
• Dimensions (L/W/H/WB): 4,500 / 1,810 / 1,695 / 2,640 mm (177.1 / 71.3 / 66.7 / 103.9 in)
• Curb Weight: 1,680 kg (3,704 lbs)
• Tires: 225/65R17
• Cargo Volume (behind 2nd row / behind 1st row): 691 / 1,951 L (24.4 / 68.9 cu ft)
• Fuel Economy (city/hwy): 11.2 / 8.6 L/100 km
• Warranty (mo/km): 36 / 60,000 comprehensive - 60 / 100,000 powertrain
• Direct Competitors: Chevrolet Equinox, Ford Escape, Honda CR-V, Hyundai Tucson, Jeep Compass / Patriot, Kia Sportage, Mazda Tribute, Mitsubishi Outlander, Nissan Rogue, Pontiac Torrent, Saturn VUE, Subaru Forester, Toyota RAV4, Volkswagen Tiguan
• Website: www.suzuki.ca