2013 Suzuki Grand Vitara Vs 2012 Suzuki Grand Vitara

2013 Suzuki Grand Vitara

2006-2012 Suzuki Grand Vitara

Here’s a quick comparison between the 2012 Suzuki Grand Vitara and the 2013 Grand Vitara released in the last week of August 2012. We haven’t written or updated anything for a little while about the relatively forgotten compact SUV. The updated  2013 Grand Vitara does not change the formula very much and has only effected the front end design, to make it more aggressive – which works quite well. There are equipment upgrades as well and price adjustments to make it better value.

This Grand Vitara model has been around since late 2005 but only world wide in 2006 but it has definitely held its age really well. The exterior with it sharp edges make it stand out form the crowd and make it look quite classy. It is also completely different to its small SUV competitors since it has genuine off road ability. Unless you get the new 2WD version which has another unique selling point of being rear wheel drive. The Grand Vitara has a re-enforced frame and chassis with a low range gearbox and proper 4WD systems. The interior is cleanly laid out and still modern with a conservative but likeable design and materials which only other manufacturers have recently caught up with. As a result the Grand Vitara is inherently tougher than any of the existing small SUVs on the market.

Overall the one thing that only the Grand Vitara has is that it feels more substantial on the road than any of the compact SUVs we’ve tried. If you like this traditional feel of what we describe as off-road quality than this is the one to get. It’s road handling is also not too bad if you ignore the leaning.  The gearbox has clearly been design for off road work in it ratios and relatively crude but clearly heavy duty use. The automatic is the best option for most drivers. The engine characteristics are also different being high on torque in the low to mid range rather than say the CR-V. You could also get a reasonable 3.2 litre V6 engine up until the 2011 models but has been deleted for 2012 since it was a poor seller. The other bonus of is that the engines uses the much cheaper 91 octane unleaded.

We like the Grand Vitara but it is showing its age in the engine department and transmission. However it is balanced out by a heavy duty chassis and parts and definitely reliable.

2013 Suzuki Grand Vitara	Suzuki Grand Vitara
Engines
J24B Petrol 4 cylinder EFI VVT 2.4 Litre (2393cc) Claimed 122Kw @ 6000RPM Claimed 225Nm @ 4000RPM F9Q Diesel 4 cylinder turbo charged inter-cooled 1.9 Litre (1870cc) Claimed 95Kw @ 3750RPM Claimed 300Nm @ 2000RPM V6 (N32A) V6 Cylinder petrol DOHC Dual VVT EFI 3.2 Litre (3195cc) Claimed 165Kw @ 6200RPM Claimed 284Nm @ 3500RPM
Weight
FROM 1605Kg (5 door) Towing capacity up to 2000kg (Diesel)
Fuel capacity & consumption
Up to 66 litres IL4 Petrol 8.9Lts per 100km AVG (Manual) IL4 Petrol 8.7Lts per 100km AVG (Auto 2WD version)  IL4 Petrol 9.9Lts per 100km AVG (Auto) V6 Petrol 10.5Lts per 100km AVG (Auto)
Other specifications
5 speed manual or 4 speed Auto Overall height/Overall width 1695/1810 Overall length/Wheelbase 4470/2640 4WD system: AWD ANCAP Safety: 4/5 Tyre size: 225-65-17 or 225-60-18
Capability
Angle of: (degrees) Approach 29 Departure 27 Breakover 19 Ground clearance (unloaded) 200mm Water Fording depth xxmm Max
Performance
Pricing
2012 $24,990 – 37,490 AUD 2011 $25,990 – 41,490 AUD 2010 $25,990 – 40,490 AUD *Always check with the dealer for up to date pricing, specifications, on-road costs, accessories and specials etc.. everything as usual is subject to change!