Five whole months and some change spent with this vehicle. The Grand Vitara is currently Suzuki's flagship vehicle. Previous generations were that sort of go-anywhere SUV, but the current Grand Vitara has matured and is geared more toward urban use. I've been in and out of the Grand Vitara during our tenure and have put it through its paces. Here's what I've found:
Related: Suzuki Grand Vitara 1.5 GLX Auto (2023) Video Review
A well-sorted cabin
The Grand Vitara's cabin, I can confidently say, is suitable for the daily family grind. There is plenty of head and legroom in the front and rear of the vehicle. The rear-occupancy space is solid, and your passengers won't be shortchanged here. The boot space is rated at 310 litres of capacity and can be extended to 1 147 litres when you fold down the 60:40 split rear seats. From carrying groceries and event equipment to, recently, two bicycles, the Grand Vitara was up to the task.
For the price point, the interior is pretty plush. In our GLX variant, the seats are trimmed in leather and are well supported for South African bodies. Suitable for road trips? Yes. Any particular back pains? At least for me, no. The driving ergonomics, such as the driving positions, button placements, and what have you, are well laid out, making this car easy to live with.
Infotainment-wise, the system has been reliable, and I haven't, in my time, discovered any weird glitches or anything of that sort. It works as it should. Though a tailor-made sound system would elevate the flagship experience in this vehicle, something from Sony, Clarion, or even a lesser-known brand that delivers a solid listening experience would work.
Is it well put together? Decently enough, I did notice an odd creak here and there from the centre console. Still, it's held up to the demanding daily grind, and the only other electrical gremlin was a notice requesting that the Parking Sensors be serviced, which showed up periodically.
Do we need a powertrain revision?
Our unit had the 1.5-litre naturally aspirated petrol engine paired with a 4-speed automatic. Total power output is rated at 77 kW / 138 Nm, and this propels a 1 170 kg shell. Relatively light for an SUV.
The thing is, though, the Grand Vitara feels underpowered, and that's exacerbated by the 4-speed automatic, which tends to hunt, and by its taller gearing, which doesn't lend itself well to the revvy nature of the K15B powerplant. I've differed with my colleagues about this, but a bigger displacement engine, like a 1.8-litre at minimum, and an extra cog on the automatic transmission will make this vehicle feel more effortless. This vehicle doesn't need a turbocharger, because the charm of simplicity works well here.
The current powertrain is frugal enough. Claimed fuel consumption is 6.0L/100km, but we were averaging around 7.0L/100km, which isn't bad for the size of this vehicle, but it could be better.
Blissful Ride Quality
Thanks to the rainy season, Johannesburg's roads haven't been stellar, but the Grand Vitara hasn't been bothered much. The ride quality in this vehicle is exceptional. Plus, it handles decently and garners some engagement from the driver. It's no sports car, yes, but it makes the Grand Vitara pleasant to pilot.
The thicker Apollo tyres improve ride quality, and the overall NVH in the Grand Vitara is well sorted. On family trips in this vehicle, the Grand Vitara often received compliments on how comfortable it felt.
To Conclude
The Grand Vitara wouldn't be a bad choice for someone looking at getting a family SUV. There's beauty in the simplicity of this vehicle that makes it easy to live with. It has everything you need, with no fluff to complicate the experience. I just wish it had a more potent powertrain, much like its predecessors and with what the competition is cooking up, perhaps it would be good to spice things up a bit. Try out the Grand Vitara with your family and see if it's a good fit.
