Our Suzuki Grand Vitara review took place over a long weekend. While this was a good bit shorter than our typical review time frame, we were able to put more than two hundred miles on the Grand Vitara and still get in a bit of off-road adventure time.

Needless to say, with the clock ticking, this one drove off a tad muddy …

When doing research, it’s best to rely on a number of resources. Our modus operandi is to deliver the driver’s point of view in a tight segment. While this approach might miss some of the less obvious features, our goal is provide a real world review from the driver’s seat, rather than a checklist … there are other sources for that, and hence, we’ve included one of the best in this mashup of Grand Vitara reviews.

driverTV’s Grand Vitara review highlights the features of the little Suzuki in a thorough and methodical fashion …

AutoMotoTV’s Grand Vitara review gives us the eye-candy, with a pair of European Grand Vitara motoring through a variety of dirt roads, packed with scenic views:

And finally, CarAdvice.com.au’s Grand Vitara review teases us with what we can’t buy here in the States, the forbidden fruit: the Suzuki Grand Vitara Diesel. With fuel mileage of 7.6 liters per 100 kilometers (roughly 31 miles per US gallon) and plenty of torque, the turbo-diesel would be sure to win a legion of American fans, if Suzuki chose to undertake the emissions work to achieve 50-state compliance.

“If you’re thinking about buying one of these, you’d have to be mad not to consider the diesel” …

While the Suzuki Grand Vitara competes most closely with the Honda CR-V, Toyota RAV4, and Jeep Patriot, the Grand Vitara’s available true four wheel drive (4WD) and low-range transfer case make Suzuki’s little SUV more Jeep-like then the CR-V or RAV4.

Under the hood, our top of the line Grand Vitara Luxury review unit was fitted with a 16-valve DOHC 3.2-liter V6 engine, producing 230 horsepower (HP) and 213 foot pounds of torque. (A 16-valve DOHC 2.4-liter inline four producing 166 HP and 162 foot pounds of torque is available in the base and premium models.)

The official gas mileage estimates for the 2009 Grand Vitara Luxury edition are 17 city / 23 highway miles per gallon (MPG) with the five-speed automatic transmission. (The inline four and five-speed manual transmission are rated at 19/25 in 4WD and 19/26 in rear wheel drive.)

We slipped past the official estimates in our White Water Pearl Grand Vitara Luxury review unit. In over two hundred miles of driving, we scored an average of 24.6 MPG on the Interstate highway, an 21 MPG combined. Test period temperatures ranged from the thirties through fifties, with freeway speeds between 60 and 70 miles per hour (MPH).

The Grand Vitara provides both Average and Instant Fuel Economy displays beneath the speedometer. The Instant Fuel Economy display is well-designed, helping to make light-footed driving all the more pleasant. While keeping your foot out of it is key for the best mileage, the Grand Vitara’s V6 delivers when you need to stomp on the pedal.

(MPGomatic’s Rule of Thumb Toe: the further you can drive with your foot completely off the pedal, the higher you’ll score with regard to MPGs.)

While it does just fine on the open road, the Grand Vitara is at its best off the beaten path.

Point the Grand Vitara at a muddied pot-holed trail and it’ll do just fine.

The 4WD Grand Vitara is always in 4WD drive. In normal conditions, you’ll use 4H mode. The dash mounted dial allows you to select between the 4H, 4H Lock, and 4L Lock transfer case settings. In order to switch modes, you need to have the brake on, the accelerator off, and the gearshift in neutral. (The neutral transfer case setting is for those occasions when you need to tow the Grand Vitara.)

All-in-all, we found the 4WD Suzuki Grand Vitara to be quite competent, both on and off the road, with the only downsides being the lack of standard iPod integration and the lower fuel economy that one has to expect with an honest-to-goodness 4WD.

While on the road, the Grand Vitara’s gas mileage is merely par for the class; off the beaten path, the little truck shines. This is not a poseur’s SUV. With the Grand Vitara, gas mileage is secondary to competence off road. Folks in the know buy this one to get it dirty.

The four-banger produces 166 horsepower (HP) and 162 foot pounds of torque, with the V6 delivering 230 HP and 213 foot pounds. The entry-level base 2WD 2.4-liter is rated at 19 city / 26 highway miles per gallon (MPG) when fitted with the five-speed manual transmission, topping the Grand Vitara range with regard to gas mileage. The fully decked-out 4WD V6 in either Xsport or Luxury trim is the most thirsty, at 17 city / 23 highway, with the five-speed automatic.

A 1.9-liter DDiS diesel engine, producing 221 foot pounds of torque is available in the Grand Vitara overseas. The DDiS equipped Grand Vitara is rated at 30.4 urban / 42.8 extra-urban MPG in the UK, roughly the equivalent of 25 city / 35 highway here in the States.

Suzuki Grand Vitara/Vitara Gas Mileage: 1999-2009

The Suzuki SX4 Crossover competes primarily with the Toyota Matrix and Pontiac Vibe, along with a host of Subarus in the entry-level AWD market. The five-door hatchback SX4 Crossover is billed as the most affordable AWD in America.

Under the hood, the SX4 Crossover is fitted with a 2.0 liter DOHC 16 valve four cylinder engine, producing 143 horsepower (HP) and 136 foot pounds of torque.

The official gas mileage estimates for the base 2009 Suzuki SX4 Crossover are 21 city / 28 highway miles per gallon (MPG) when fitted with the standard 5-speed manual transmission.

In hundreds of miles of driving, we were able slip past the official estimates with our Quicksilver Metallic SX4, scoring an average of 32 MPG on the Interstate highway, with 26.6 MPG combined. Test period temperatures ranged from the forties through sixties, with freeway speeds between 60 and 70 miles per hour (MPH).

The little SX4 clearly has sporting intentions, despite the Crossover badge. While the four-cylinder engine provides adequate power for an enjoyable run through the gears, we found the shifter to be less then precise. Regardless, this little critter is fun to throw through the curves, with more of a rally, rather than a sports car feel. And although it’s not one for the drag strip, there’s enough juice to chirp the tires off the line and make that highway merge.

The weather teased us during the SX4’s stay in our driveway, with an afternoon of intermittent snow and sleet. Lacking any significant snow to play in, we found that the SX4 shines on the backroads, especially those of the gravel variety.

As much fun as it is to drive with gusto, the SX4 responds well to light-footed driving.

Two tried and and true techniques were used to surpass the official gas mileage estimates. We shifted carefully and quickly through the gears, while limiting revs for fuel efficiency. Just as importantly, a watchful eye was kept on the instant fuel consumption display (atop the dashboard) to get a better feel for the engine, with the goal of keeping the lightest possible pressure on the accelerator pedal, at all times. (The further you can drive with your foot completely off the pedal, the greater your fuel efficiency.)

The SX4’s cabin is well designed and appointed. The rear sixty/forty fold down and roll forward seats provide ample cargo capacity.

Our test unit was equipped with the Technology option package, which includes air conditioning and a leather wrapped steering wheel with integrated cruise and audio controls. All SX4 Crossovers come with a removable Suzuki-branded Garmin navigation unit. The Technology package adds real-time traffic, MSN Direct, and Bluetooth.

The one downside to the SX4? Standard digital music integration is lacking, as it oddly relies on memory cards or USB downloads to the Garmin navigation unit … unless you spring for an optional input jack or iPod integration kit. This is a situation that’s easily remedied.

All-in-all, we found the Suzuki SX4 Crossover to be a solid choice for folks on a budget with the need for a small AWD vehicle that delivers good fuel economy and a sporting character.

Assembly/Parts Content: The Suzuki SX is assembled in Kosai, Japan. Both the engine and transmission are of Japanese origin. 0% of the parts are produced in North America.

Hold onto your hats. Suzuki is offering up to $470 of “free gas” to folks who buy a new Suzuki car or SUV.

That’s on top of 0% financing.

FREE GAS PROVIDED IN FORM OF A VISA® DEBIT CARD. AMOUNT VARIES BY MODEL AND IS BASED UPON A 3-MONTH ESTIMATE. SEE DEALER FOR DETAILS. SUMMER GAS CARD PROMOTION BASED ON EPA, ENERGY INFORMATION ADMINISTRATION AND GAS PRICE STATISTICS.
0% APR Financing is for 60 months. Monthly payment of $16.67 per every $1000 financed. Subject to credit approval from American Suzuki Financial Services (ASFS). This offer is available in lieu of customer cash incentives. “Free gas” provided in form of a Visa debit card and only available in conjunction with 0% financing as offered by ASFS. Offer ends 6/30/08.

$470 just might be enough to fill up the Suzuki SX4’s 11 gallon gas tank ten times … depending on where you live and how high the price of gas goes this summer.

Get ready for a slew of crazy free gas promotions …

The SX4 has an Italian heritage … its handsome lines were penned by Turin-based Italdesign (perhaps best known for their work with Maserati and Lamborghini) while the vehicle itself was developed in conjunction with Fiat. By the looks of the SX4, un’unione bella! While we don’t usually get hung up on Manufacturer Suggested Retail Prices (MSRP), we’ll make an exception for the SX4 Crossover. At a base price of $14,270, the five-door hatchback SX4 is the least expensive four wheel drive vehicle sold in America today. Chart-topping all wheel drive gas mileage at entry-level prices make the Suzuki SX4 worth a look for budget-minded folks in colder climates.

In America, the SX4 is equipped with a five-speed manual transmission, mated to a 16-valve DOHC 2.0 liter four cylinder engine, producing 143 horsepower (HP) and 136 foot pounds of torque. A 4-speed electronically controlled automatic transmission is optional.

While a diesel engine is not currently offered in the States, two diesel front-wheel-drive SX4 variants are sold internationally. With a five-speed manual transmission, the 1.6 liter DDiS four-cylinder pumps out 215 foot pounds of torque and delivers 44.1 urban miles per British gallon / 61.4 extra urban, equating to roughly 36.7 city / 51.1 highway in US gallons. Equipped with a six-speed tranny, the more powerful 1.9 liter DDiS four-banger cranks out 280 foot pounds of torque, while providing 36.2 urban miles per British gallon and 51.4 extra urban. This is roughly 30.1 city / 42.8 highway in US gallons.

Suzuki SX4 Crossover Review

Suzuki SX4 Gas Mileage – 2007-2009

Note: the EPA tweaked their testing procedure, starting with the 2008 model year, with the end result being that the 2008 MPG estimates are now lower than previous years. As always, YMMV.

Simply put, the aerodynamics and vehicle weight of the bulkiest SUVs cause gas mileage to suffer, leading to many a painful transaction at the pump. The trick is to get small(er), lighter, and more slippery. Credit Subaru for getting the ball rolling with popularizing economical 4WD drive passenger cars in the early days. Since 1997, every vehicle Subaru’s offered in America has been all wheel drive.

These days, it’s not just Subaru. There are plenty of four wheel drive choices that are neither truck nor SUV. And forget the notion of pint-sized economy cars. You’ll find a generous helping of 4WD luxury from manufacturers including Audi, Volvo, Cadillac, and Lexus … in fact, you’ll find many of their offerings in the 2008 list of best gas mileage four wheel drives.

Purists will gladly share that there’s a difference between four wheel drive and all wheel drive (AWD). And surely there is … but for a great many folks, it comes down to two simple questions: will it go in the snow and will I go broke feeding it?

At the other end of the spectrum, the little Suzuki SX4 delivers plenty of bang for the buck, by combining the best four wheel drive gas mileage with a low sticker price (for those who don’t just think miles per gallon … but miles per dollar.)

Along with its corporate cousins, the Ford Escape Hybrid proves the exception to the rule as the highest all around mile per gallon (MPG) four wheel drive vehicle. If you can’t get a great deal on an Escape Hybrid at your local Ford dealer, take a look at the Mercury Mariner Hybrid. And if you happen to live in Southern California, the Mazda Tribute Hybrid HEV might be an option … as long as you’re able to snag one of the 350 Tribute HEVs built for this test market.)

2008 Best Gas Mileage Four Wheel Drives

• Audi A4
• Suzuki SX4
• Subaru Legacy
• Subaru Impreza
• Subaru Outback
• Jeep Compass
• Ford Escape Hybrid
• Jeep Patriot
• Subaru Forester
• Mazda Tribute Hybrid
• Mercury Mariner Hybrid
• Honda CR-V
• Volvo S60
• Volvo V50
• Volvo S40
• Toyota RAV4
• Cadillac CTS
• Cadillac STS
• Lexus IS 250
• Nissan Rogue

1979-1981 High MPG Cars 1982 High MPG Cars 1983 High MPG Cars 1984 High MPG Cars There’s no denying that there were some real clunkers in those big lists. But there’s one thing for sure. While the list of today’s 30 MPG cars might be shorter, the improvement in overall quality cannot be denied. Passing a federal law to raise the automakers’ overall fuel efficiency to 35 MPG by 2020 is just goofy when you get right down to it. With the natural shift that is currently underway, that goal may well be met in half the time purely through market forces. As the public more fully understands the choices that are currently available – and are soon to come to market – the shift will accelerate. The 2009 model year may very well prove to be the tipping point, as 1985 was in the opposite direction. A 30 MPG car might be considered by some (many?) Europeans to be a gas guzzler. The cars sold abroad are not all that different. Yes, there are differences in environmental and safety systems, but the facts remain. A great many of the cars that our very own American automakers sell in Europe far exceed their domestic models when it comes to fuel-efficiency.

30 MPG Cars – 2008 Audi A4 Audi A4 Cabriolet Audi TT Coupe Chevrolet Aveo Chevrolet Aveo 5 Chevrolet Cobalt Chevrolet HHR Chevrolet HHR Panel Chevrolet Malibu Chevrolet Malibu Hybrid Chrysler Sebring Dodge Avenger Ford Escape Hybrid FWD Ford Focus Honda Accord 2DR Coupe Honda Accord 4DR Sedan Honda Civic Honda Civic Hybrid Honda Fit Hyundai Accent Hyundai Elantra Hyundai Sonata Kia Optima Kia Rio Kia Spectra Mazda Mazda3 Mazda Tribute Hybrid 2WD Mercedes-Benz E320 Bluetec Mercury Mariner Hybrid FWD Mini Cooper Convertible Nissan Altima Nissan Altima Coupe Nissan Altima Hybrid Nissan Sentra Nissan Versa Pontiac G5 Pontiac G6 Pontiac Vibe Saturn Aura Saturn Aura Hybrid Suzuki SX4 Suzuki SX4 Sedan Toyota Camry Toyota Camry Hybrid Toyota Solara Toyota Corolla Toyota Matrix Toyota Prius Toyota Scion XD Toyota Yaris Volkswagen EOS

2008 Cars – 30 MPG Highway

Note: the EPA tweaked their testing procedure, starting with the 2008 model year, with the end result being that the 2008 MPG estimates are now lower than previous years. As always, YMMV.

All-in-all, Honda continued to hold half the list, while GM/Suzuki’s grip slipped a bit.

A bevy of Saturn models knocked on the door with 40 mile per gallon highway ratings. The Dodge and Plymouth Neon began their run, replacing the Mitsubushi-sourced Colts.

Top Ten High MPG Cars – 1995 Model Year:

• Honda Civic HB VX 4-cyl., 1.5 liter – MPG: 47 city / 56 highway
• Honda Civic HB VX 4-cyl., 1.5 liter – MPG: 44 city / 51 highway
• Geo Metro 3-cyl., 1.0 liter – MPG: 44 city / 49 highway
• Suzuki Swift 3-cyl., 1.0 liter – MPG: 44 city / 49 highway
• Honda Civic 4-cyl., 1.5 liter – MPG: 42 city / 46 highway
• Honda Civic 4-cyl., 1.5 liter – MPG: 40 city / 45 highway
• Geo Metro 4-cyl., 1.3 liter – MPG: 39 city / 43 highway
• Ford Aspire 4-cyl., 1.3 liter – MPG: 36 city / 42 highway
• Honda Civic Del Sol 4-cyl., 1.5 liter – MPG: 35 city / 41 highway
• Nissan Sentra/200SX 4-cyl., 1.6 liter – MPG: 30 city / 40 highway

1995 High MPG Gas Mileage Rankings

The Ford Aspire was the only car to break Suzuki/GM and Honda’s firm grip on the Top Ten High-MPG list for the 1994 model year. The Aspire, a result of a collaboration between Kia and Mazda, replaced the Festiva in Ford subcompact lineup and remained a fixture through the 1997 model year.

Top Ten High MPG Cars – 1994 Model Year:

• Geo Metro – XFi 3-cyl., 1.0 liter – MPG: 53 city / 58 highway
• Honda Civic – HB VX 4-cyl., 1.5 liter – MPG: 47 city / 56 highway
• Honda Civic – HB VX 4-cyl., 1.5 liter – MPG: 44 city / 51 highway
• Pontiac Firefly – 3-cyl., 1.0 liter – MPG: 46 city / 50 highway
• Chevrolet Sprint – 3-cyl., 1.0 liter – MPG: 46 city / 50 highway
• Geo Metro – 3-cyl., 1.0 liter – MPG: 46 city / 49 highway
• Honda Civic – 4-cyl., 1.5 liter – MPG: 42 city / 46 highway
• Honda Civic – 4-cyl., 1.5 liter – MPG: 40 city / 45 highway
• Suzuki Swift – 4-cyl., 1.3 liter – MPG: 37 city / 44 highway
• Ford Aspire – 4-cyl., 1.3 liter – MPG: 36 city / 43 highway

1994 High MPG Gas Mileage Rankings