But sadly the compact SUV gets less love than its Toyota Urban Cruiser production sibling.
After five months and just about 5 000km, we bid farewell to our long-term Suzuki Grand Vitara 1.5 GLX automatic this week.
In contrast to the usual one-week periods we spend in test cars, living with one model for almost half a year afforded us the rare opportunity to experience it like your typical owner would. Being a compact SUV wearing the second most loved badge in the South African market, we are happy to report that the GV ticks every box its sets out to do. It turned out to be as comfortable, dependable and easy to operate as you’d expect from a Suzuki product.
But it misses another Suzuki-renowned trait. The value aspect. With the hybrid all-wheel drive Suzuki Grand Vitara quietly discontinued locally, the GLX auto has become the flagship GV. But its price tag of R453 900, a R72 000 premium over the GL auto, is not doing it any favours and this reflect in its slow sales.
ALSO READ: Honest Suzuki Grand Vitara needs no gimmicks to bowl you over
Joint venture bragging rights
On the other hand, its aggressively priced production sibling the Toyota Urban Cruiser has gone from strength to strength. Figuring out why is easy when you see the flagship Toyota Urban Cruiser 1.5 XR auto’s price of R373 800, a sticker even less than GV GL auto. The Toyota’s spec sheet is much shorter and does not include the likes of a panoramic sunroof, head-up display and 360-degree camera. But is clear that buyers are willing to forgo these comforts on the price sensitive side of the market.
One of the reasons the GV’s smaller sibling the Suzuki Fronx is so successful is that it fights in the lower R300k segment, low enough on the scale to keep it fairly Chinese proof. And by undercutting its Toyota Starlet production sibling, it is the one model in the two manufacturer’s alliance that has managed to outsell the Toyota locally.
Speaking of the joint venture between the two Japanese carmakers, the Suzuki Grand Vitara is power by the KB15B 1.5-litre naturally aspirated petrol engine. This trusty mill powers most of the models assembled in India by Maruti Suzuki regardless of which badge they wear.
Bulletproof powertrain
The four-pot free-breathing engine produces 77kW of power at 6 000rpm and 138Nm of torque at 4 400rpm which is sent to the front wheels. Weighing in 150kg heavier than the Fronx, you do need to rev the GV slightly higher to keep it on the boil, but it nonetheless still does what it says on the box.
The four-speed automatic gearbox is not everyone’s cup of tea as it can be a tad lethargic to shift and drone under hard acceleration. But for those blessed with a bit more patience, it goes about its business just fine in everyday traffic sparing the driver from having to operate a clutch. Or those horrible dual-clutch or CVT configurations in lower end Chinese cars.
Speaking of products from the People’s Republic, the GV does not suffer from any throttle calibration issues.
ALSO READ: Grand Vitara GLX excels as the brand’s flagship offering
Suzuki Grand Vitara easy on the juice
Another win is this department is the fuel consumption. We averaged 7.2 litres per 100km in real-world conditions with very little open road driving which we think is very good. The average 1.5-litre turbocharged engine from China and even more refined 1.0-litre turbos from heritage brands just won’t match this in similar conditions.
The GV’s steering is light and direct and a pleasure to drive. A turning circle of just 10.8 metres also makes it very easy to manoeuvre in tight parking spaces. Here the 360-camera comes into its own is one of our favourite features.
The Citizen Motoring thought the Suzuki Grand Vitara’s styling is a good fit for its position as the brand’s largest SUV. Multi-level grille flanked by three-point LED daytime running lights, a three-dimensional LED light bar at the rear and 17-inch machine-polished alloys create a more mature fit-and-finish than the Fronx’s more playful styling. Our tester was finished in bicolour which combines Splendid Silver paintwork with black roof and side mirrors.
Well-appointed interior
The GLX-specific interior featured full leatherette trim, 9-inch infotainment system with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, 360-degree surround view camera, wireless charging tray, head-Up display, keyless start/stop, ambient lighting and panoramic sunroof.
Leg and headroom are decent in the rear seat, which also have access to USB ports and air vents. Boot space of 310 litres is decent enough to get through life on a daily basis.
What we did not like – but got used to – is the lack of a physical volume knob for the audio controls. And the hot sun baked through the sunroof’s rather thin roller blind.
Six airbags, electronic stability control, ABS with EBA, hill-hold assist and rear parking sensors are the system in place to keep the occupants safe.
Suzuki Grand Vitara deserves more love
The Suzuki Grand Vitara was a solid part of our fleet. It is a pity that it gets less love from the buying public than other Suzuki products. But we reckon a slight price tweak and/or specification tweak should warrant it the attention it richly deserves.
The Suzuki Grand Vitara comes standard with six-year/90 000 km service plan and five-year/200 000 km warranty.
