Suzuki calls its Grand Vitara an "offroad athlete." The SUV is based on a purely Suzuki design, and competitors include the Honda CR-V, Hyundai Tucson and Toyota RAV4. Changes for 2008 are minimal.The Grand Vitara was designed with nearly 50/50 weight distribution and a fully independent suspensi... Read Full Report
What We Like
What We Don't Like
Notable Features
The Grand Vitara's current generation made its debut for the 2006 model year, and we weren't impressed overall. Now, with the class of compact SUVs and wagons continuing to evolve and gas prices so high they can barely be seen with the naked eye, I've taken another look at the Grand Vitara and can barely see how it would appeal to any buyer.The Grand Vitara is designed as an off-... Read full review for the 2008 Suzuki Grand Vitara
Great small SUV. Very comfortable, great gas mileage (currently my GV is getting 19mpg city and 26mpg highway). Acceleration is quite good, i drive the automatic 5-speed transmision with rear-wheel dr... Read Full Review
Recalls
There is currently 1 recall for this car.
Safety defects and recalls are relatively common. Stay informed and know what to do ahead of time.
Service & Repair
Bumper-to-Bumper
36mo/36,000mi
Powertrain
84mo/100,000mi
Roadside Assistance Coverage
36mo/36,000mi
What you should get in your warranty can be confusing. Make sure you are informed.
Bumper-to-Bumper
Often called a basic warranty or new-vehicle warranty, a bumper-to-bumper policy covers components like air conditioning, audio systems, vehicle sensors, fuel systems and major electrical components. Most policies exclude regular maintenance like fluid top offs and oil changes, but a few brands have separate free-maintenance provisions, and those that do offer them is slowly rising. Bumper-to-bumper warranties typically expire faster than powertrain warranties.
Powertrain
Don't be misled a 10-year or 100,000-mile powertrain warranty doesn't promise a decade of free repairs for your car. It typically covers just the engine and transmission, along with any other moving parts that lead to the wheels, like the driveshaft and constant velocity joints. Some automakers also bundle seat belts and airbags into their powertrain warranties. With a few exceptions, powertrain warranties don't cover regular maintenance like engine tuneups and tire rotations.
Roadside Assistance
Some automakers include roadside assistance with their bumper-to-bumper or powertrain warranties, while others have separate policies. These programs cover anything from flat-tire changes and locksmith services to jump-starts and towing. Few reimburse incidental costs like motel rooms (if you have to wait for repairs).
Free Scheduled Maintenance
Some automakers include free scheduled maintenance for items such as oil changes, air filters and tire rotations. Some include consumables including brake pads and windshield wipers; others do not. They are typically for the first couple of years of ownership of a new car.
