2006 Grand Vitara V6

[Wilko76]

Hi All

My missis wants to buy a grand vitara V6. Does anyone have any opinions on them? specifically economy, comfort, power and how they handle.

It will mostly be for around town but occassionally off road. Any serious 4x4 work will be in my cruiser.

thanks all

[Gwagensteve]

Buy a car for the same money.

V6 vitaras are OK as far as they go, but if there is no real requirement for a low range or articulation, a car (even something like a subaru, if there is a dirt road component to its use) will be more economical, handle and ride better and generally be a more sophisticated (and better to drive) car.

IMHO the only real advantages in a Vitara are exactly the reasons they don't make as good a road car as all the "soft roaders" in comparison, they are slower, heavier, less space efficient, use more fuel and don't handle as well.

I get in trouble in the club for having this view, but if it's not going off road face facts and buy the best car for the job. Odds are, it won't be a vitara.

Steve.

[Wilko76]

thanks. Appreciate your opinion. any to the contrary?

[cj]

I'd agree with Steve on the earlier GV's but the new GV isn't quite that bad for daily use. With the fulltime 4wd and IFS and IRS it handles pretty well but the motors seem very tight in them initially and take some km's to free up. Also for economy I'd say the Subaru or the X-Trail would be better. If you want true fulltime 4wd then the Subaru or the GV are your choices and if you want a proper low range then the GV is it. The newly updated GV Prestige now has or is about to get traction control as well which will be a plus. At the end of the day if it's for the other half then get her to drive them all and let her decide. Life will be easier

[cj]

Almost forgot the other fulltime 4wd without low range is the Mitsubishi Outlander but there is a new larger version of that due for release soon.

[robsjimny]

If talking about fuel economy What about the rav4. toyota have always been great. The new vitara I think will be a soft offroader like the ones everyone has listed. Will have to wait awhile for mods too. aftermarket parts. Personally I would test drive a few cars. At the end of the day you will be drive it. Sale men people on here all have different thoughts The choice is yours. I would wait a few months till the GV Prestige is out for six months. By them suzuki will know of any problems and have fixed on first service.

My 2 cents
Rob

[cj]

I would wait a few months till the GV Prestige is out for six months. By them suzuki will know of any problems and have fixed on first service.

The traction control has been available in other markets but Suzuki Australia didn't specify it originally for here. Shouldn't be any problems in that respect.

[Momo]

Hi All

My missis wants to buy a grand vitara V6. Does anyone have any opinions on them? specifically economy, comfort, power and how they handle.

It will mostly be for around town but occassionally off road. Any serious 4x4 work will be in my cruiser.

thanks all

I have an older style GV and I love it. Its the second one I've owned.
In regard to all the factors you mentioned the new one will be better on each count.

For occasional off-road use I would think the GV would be superior to it's competitors because of its strength, dual-range transfer and chunky suspension (no flimsy links hanging down ALA Honda CRV and Ford Escape).
With a cheap coil spring lift now available and a one size upgrade in tyres, a decent gain in ground clearance can be had if needed.

I believe the best rating shopping trolley of the moment is the CRV, but it is the last one I would go offroad with.

The Suzi V6 does require a few revs to get it moving, and the auto has been criticized for excessive hunting but that may have been fixed by now.

Anyway I'm biased toward Suzukis so take some test drives and let us know what you think.