24-08-2013:
Cracked cylinder head reported on 24k mile 2008 1.6L VVT (same problem as older Vitaras).
13-02-2014:
Problems with 91k mile 2008 Suzuki Grand Vitara 1.9DDIS. Engine cutting out at 60mph in cruise. DPF needed replacing (quoted £3,280 by Suzuki, £1,200 by Renault and £360 by an independent who apparently fitted a Chinese made DPF). Problem possibly caused by injector seals.
04-09-2014:
Waterpump seized, shredding timing belt of 2010 Grand Vitara 1.9 diesel (Renault F9Q engine). Resultant damage to engine to cost £4,500 to fix. TMING BELT, TENSIONER AND WATERPUMP NEED CHANGING EVERY 4 YEARS OR 40K MILES.
09-07-2016:
2007 Suzuki Grand Vitara (no mention petrol or diesel) used 5 litres of oil between 79,000 miles and 84,000 miles. Reason could be failure of rear crankshaft main seal.
February 2006
All new Vitara launched
Monocoque rather than ladderframe build. SWB or LWB. All on 17-inch wheels and with have climate control a/c. LWB 5-door 4,470 long x 1,810mm wide x 1,695mm high.
Has centre diff lock and low range gears. 1,995cc 16v engine with 140PS and 135lb ft torque. Manual does 108mph, 0-60 in 12.2, 31mpg combined, 220g/km CO2. Kerb weight 1,580kg. Max braked towing weight 1,850kg. Auto does 106mph, 0-60 13.3, 30.1mpg combined, 228g/km CO2. Kerb weight 1,595kg. Max braked towing weight 1,700kg. All have alloy wheels.
Diesel LWB 5-door from December 2005. Has centre diff lock and low range gears. 1,870cc Renault engine with 129PS at 3,750rpm and 221lb ft torque at 2,000rpm. Manual only. Does 106mph, 0-60 in 12.9, 36.7mpg combined, 205g/km CO2. Kerb weight 1,660kg. Max braked towing weight 2,000kg. All have alloy wheels. Prices from £16,999. All Group 14 insurance.
5-door 2.0-litre 16v 5-speed manual £15,499.00
5-door 2.0-litre 16v 4-speed automatic £16,449.00
5-door 1.9 litre diesel 5-speed manual £16,999.00
NCAP 4 stars passenger safety, 3 stars child safety, 3 stars pedestrian safety.
November 2007
Grand Vitara X-EC high spec model launched
Either 2.0-litre petrol or 1.9-litre diesel power. Unique Azure Grey Pearl metallic paintwork, silver roof rails, exclusive 17 inch 10-spoke alloy wheels, silver front bonnet trim, black side mouldings and X-EC badging. Inside, leather-trimmed steering wheel, Alcantara upholstery, cruise control and Trafficmaster’s Smartnav navigation system. Also an electric sunroof.
140 PS 2.0-litre petrol engined Grand Vitara XE-C is £16,999 on-the-road with manual transmission. Automatic extra £1,000. 129 PS intercooled and turbocharged 1.9 DDiS 5-speed manual model is £18,499 OTR.
Combined cycle fuel consumption is 32.1 mpg for the 2.0-litre model (automatic 31.0 mpg), while the 1.9 DDiS is capable of 37.2 mpg. CO2 emissions are 208, 217 and 195 g/km respectively. Luggage area - 758 litres.
September 2009
Suzuki introduces 1.9 DDiS engine
Improvements to NVH and refinement levels. Priced from £17,975 OTR. Two specification levels are available: SZ4 and SZ5 grades, both including; 18-inch alloy wheels, front fog lamps, in-dash 6CD changer with radio, MP3 audio-compatibility and seven speakers, heated leather seats and automatic climate control air conditioning.
July 2010
Latest models now feature "a cleaner and more sophisticated bodyline at the rear without the door mounted spare wheel. This change gives Grand Vitara a more urban look together with a 200mm reduction in overall length. In place of the spare wheel is a tyre repair sealant and inflationary device."
Grand Vitara retains its full off road capability though and is one of the few compact 4x4’s in it’s class to include electronically switchable high and low gear ratios and differential lock as standard equipment.
Available on five door models only, the 1.9 DDiS engine has been revised to meet Euro 5 regulations which has resulted in fewer emissions than before at 179g/km (down from 185g/km). Economy has been improved too with the five-door now achieving 41.5mpg on the combined cycle. 1.6 and 2.4-litre petrol engines are available for three door models and 2.4 petrol for the five door.
January 2012
Special Edition Grand Vitara model, SZ-T goes on sale
SZ-T is based on the popular five door 1.9DDiS model and offers a unique enhanced specification with just 500 cars available.
The SZ-T model is available for £22,315 including metallic paint and has a comprehensive list of standard equipment including new design front grille, new design 18-inch alloy wheels, unique contrasting seat fabric, Silver coloured roof rails and bonnet side vents, built in turn signal lamps for the door mirrors and, for this Special Edition, a tailgate mounted spare wheel. Cruise Control and keyless entry and start are also included.
The Euro 5 emissions 1.9-litre DDiS engine has a power output of 129PS with torque of 300Nm from just 2,000rpm offering strong flexibility when overtaking or driving off road. In combined cycle driving, the DDiS model returns 41.5mpg with emissions of 179g/km. SZ-T is available in five metallic colours: Quasar Grey, Silky Silver, Blueish Black Pearl, Phoenix Red Pearl and Nocturne Blue Pearl.
December 2012
Grand Vitara receives a mild facelift for 2013
New front and rear bumpers, lightly revised interior and a cleaner 1.9-litre diesel engine for £15,995. The new bumpers are more angular, with new front foglamps, and the 17- and 18-inch alloy wheels have a new design. Haters of puncture repair systems will love the move to a proper spare wheel - in this case a temporary use 16-inch spare wheel with 225/70 mounted on the rear door.
New seat trims and a 6.1 inch touchscreen Colour Navigation System also reinvigorate the interior of the SZ5 range-topper. The infotainment system now has CD, radio, SD card, media player compatablity, and USB/Bluetooth music streaming/phone connectivity.
The 1.9 DDiS models have had the emissions control system revised, resulting in a CO2 decrease from 179 g/km to 174 g/km – which means the VED band for the 1.9 DDiS engine has been reduced by one band to H. Fuel consumption improves from 41.5 to 42.8mpg.
December 2014
Suzuki Grand Vitara 2005-2014 shown to be the 3rd most reliable SUV in Warranty Direct's claims records.