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2012
Suzuki Grand Vitara

Starts at:
$19,649
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New 2012 Suzuki Grand Vitara
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Safety rating
NHTSA tested vehicle score
Consumer rating
Owner reviewed vehicle score
Not rated
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NHTSA tested vehicle score
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Available trims

See the differences side-by-side to compare trims.
  • 2WD 4dr Man
    Starts at
    $19,649
    19 City / 26 Hwy
    MPG
    5
    Seat capacity
    Gas I4
    Engine
    Rear Wheel Drive
    Drivetrain
    See all specs
  • 2WD 4dr Auto Premium
    Starts at
    $21,549
    19 City / 25 Hwy
    MPG
    5
    Seat capacity
    Gas I4
    Engine
    Rear Wheel Drive
    Drivetrain
    See all specs
  • 2WD 4dr Auto Ultimate Adventure
    Starts at
    $22,449
    19 City / 25 Hwy
    MPG
    5
    Seat capacity
    Gas I4
    Engine
    Rear Wheel Drive
    Drivetrain
    See all specs
  • 4WD 4dr Auto Premium
    Starts at
    $22,999
    19 City / 23 Hwy
    MPG
    5
    Seat capacity
    Gas I4
    Engine
    Four Wheel Drive
    Drivetrain
    See all specs
  • 2WD 4dr Auto Limited
    Starts at
    $23,899
    19 City / 25 Hwy
    MPG
    5
    Seat capacity
    Gas I4
    Engine
    Rear Wheel Drive
    Drivetrain
    See all specs
  • 4WD 4dr Auto Ultimate Adventure
    Starts at
    $24,099
    19 City / 23 Hwy
    MPG
    5
    Seat capacity
    Gas I4
    Engine
    Four Wheel Drive
    Drivetrain
    See all specs
  • 4WD 4dr Auto Limited
    Starts at
    $25,399
    19 City / 23 Hwy
    MPG
    5
    Seat capacity
    Gas I4
    Engine
    Four Wheel Drive
    Drivetrain
    See all specs

Photo & video gallery

2012 Suzuki Grand Vitara 2012 Suzuki Grand Vitara 2012 Suzuki Grand Vitara 2012 Suzuki Grand Vitara 2012 Suzuki Grand Vitara 2012 Suzuki Grand Vitara 2012 Suzuki Grand Vitara 2012 Suzuki Grand Vitara 2012 Suzuki Grand Vitara 2012 Suzuki Grand Vitara 2012 Suzuki Grand Vitara 2012 Suzuki Grand Vitara 2012 Suzuki Grand Vitara 2012 Suzuki Grand Vitara 2012 Suzuki Grand Vitara 2012 Suzuki Grand Vitara 2012 Suzuki Grand Vitara 2012 Suzuki Grand Vitara 2012 Suzuki Grand Vitara 2012 Suzuki Grand Vitara 2012 Suzuki Grand Vitara 2012 Suzuki Grand Vitara 2012 Suzuki Grand Vitara 2012 Suzuki Grand Vitara 2012 Suzuki Grand Vitara 2012 Suzuki Grand Vitara 2012 Suzuki Grand Vitara 2012 Suzuki Grand Vitara 2012 Suzuki Grand Vitara 2012 Suzuki Grand Vitara 2012 Suzuki Grand Vitara 2012 Suzuki Grand Vitara 2012 Suzuki Grand Vitara 2012 Suzuki Grand Vitara

Notable features

2.4-liter four-cylinder
Manual or automatic
Available low-range 4WD

The good & the bad

The good

Good looks
Composed ride
Steering feel and response
Standard navigation system

The bad

Outdated interior styling
Snug backseat

Expert 2012 Suzuki Grand Vitara review

our expert's take
Our expert's take
By Cars.com editors
Full article
our expert's take

Vehicle Overview

Suzuki calls its Grand Vitara an “off-road athlete.” The five-seat SUV is based on a purely Suzuki design, and competitors include the Honda CR-V, Hyundai Tucson and Toyota RAV4. Base, Premium, Ultimate Adventure Edition and Limited versions are offered.

New for 2012
The 2012 Grand Vitara is available in a new trim level — the Ultimate Adventure Edition —  which is offered on rear- and four-wheel-drive versions. This new trim features 18-inch black chrome wheels, fog lamps, side mirrors with integrated turn signals, three-tone water-resistant seats and a leather-wrapped steering wheel. Later in the model year, all versions of the Grand Vitara except for Limited trims are scheduled to get a new tailgate that eliminates the outside-mounted spare tire. A new navigation system is standard.

Exterior
The Grand Vitara features accented flared fenders and a tailgate-mounted spare tire on the Limited trim. Exterior features include:

  • Standard 16-inch wheels
  • Standard front tow hooks
  • Standard body-colored side moldings
  • Available 18-inch wheels

Interior
There’s room for five in the Grand Vitara on front bucket seats and a 60/40-split folding rear seat that offers fold-and-tumble operation. The Limited version includes a seven-speaker stereo and SmartPass keyless start system, which also locks and unlocks the SUV with the press of a button on the door. Interior features include:

  • Standard navigation system
  • Illuminated steering-wheel controls
  • Chrome interior door handles
  • Standard automatic climate control
  • Standard CD stereo
  • Sun-visor extenders
  • Sliding armrest
  • Available Bluetooth connectivity

Under the Hood
The Grand Vitara comes with a 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine. Rear-wheel drive is standard and these models are available with a five-speed manual or a four-speed automatic transmission.

Full-time single-mode or four-mode four-wheel-drive systems are available, both only with the automatic. The four-mode system includes 4H, 4H Lock (slippery), 4L Lock and Neutral positions and has a limited-slip center differential. The Neutral position allows for flat towing behind recreational vehicles. Mechanical features include:

  • 166-horsepower, 2.4-liter four-cylinder with 162 pounds-feet of torque
  • Fully independent suspension
  • 3,000-pound towing capacity

Safety
Standard safety features include:

  • Seat-mounted side-impact airbags for front seats
  • Side curtain airbags with rollover sensors
  • Antilock brakes with electronic brake-force distribution
  • Electronic stability system

 

2012 Suzuki Grand Vitara review: Our expert's take

Vehicle Overview

Suzuki calls its Grand Vitara an “off-road athlete.” The five-seat SUV is based on a purely Suzuki design, and competitors include the Honda CR-V, Hyundai Tucson and Toyota RAV4. Base, Premium, Ultimate Adventure Edition and Limited versions are offered.

New for 2012
The 2012 Grand Vitara is available in a new trim level — the Ultimate Adventure Edition —  which is offered on rear- and four-wheel-drive versions. This new trim features 18-inch black chrome wheels, fog lamps, side mirrors with integrated turn signals, three-tone water-resistant seats and a leather-wrapped steering wheel. Later in the model year, all versions of the Grand Vitara except for Limited trims are scheduled to get a new tailgate that eliminates the outside-mounted spare tire. A new navigation system is standard.

Exterior
The Grand Vitara features accented flared fenders and a tailgate-mounted spare tire on the Limited trim. Exterior features include:

  • Standard 16-inch wheels
  • Standard front tow hooks
  • Standard body-colored side moldings
  • Available 18-inch wheels

Interior
There’s room for five in the Grand Vitara on front bucket seats and a 60/40-split folding rear seat that offers fold-and-tumble operation. The Limited version includes a seven-speaker stereo and SmartPass keyless start system, which also locks and unlocks the SUV with the press of a button on the door. Interior features include:

  • Standard navigation system
  • Illuminated steering-wheel controls
  • Chrome interior door handles
  • Standard automatic climate control
  • Standard CD stereo
  • Sun-visor extenders
  • Sliding armrest
  • Available Bluetooth connectivity

Under the Hood
The Grand Vitara comes with a 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine. Rear-wheel drive is standard and these models are available with a five-speed manual or a four-speed automatic transmission.

Full-time single-mode or four-mode four-wheel-drive systems are available, both only with the automatic. The four-mode system includes 4H, 4H Lock (slippery), 4L Lock and Neutral positions and has a limited-slip center differential. The Neutral position allows for flat towing behind recreational vehicles. Mechanical features include:

  • 166-horsepower, 2.4-liter four-cylinder with 162 pounds-feet of torque
  • Fully independent suspension
  • 3,000-pound towing capacity

Safety
Standard safety features include:

  • Seat-mounted side-impact airbags for front seats
  • Side curtain airbags with rollover sensors
  • Antilock brakes with electronic brake-force distribution
  • Electronic stability system

 

Safety review

Based on the 2012 Suzuki Grand Vitara base trim
NHTSA crash test and rollover ratings, scored out of 5.
Rollover rating
4/5
19.1%
Risk of rollover
19.1%
Risk of rollover

Factory warranties

Basic
3 years / 36,000 miles
Corrosion
5 years
Powertrain
7 years / 100,000 miles
Roadside Assistance
3 years / 36,000 miles

Consumer reviews

4.2 / 5
Based on 6 reviews
Write a review
Comfort 4.5
Interior 4.3
Performance 4.2
Value 4.2
Exterior 4.5
Reliability 4.0

Most recent

  • Inexpensive but problematic.

    They have a lot of issues. There have been a few recalls. Some of the problems are expensive to repair. No dealer networking the US. Parts are difficult to find.
    • Purchased a Used car
    • Used for Commuting
    • Does not recommend this car
    Comfort 4.0
    Interior 3.0
    Performance 2.0
    Value 4.0
    Exterior 3.0
    Reliability 2.0
    8 people out of 9 found this review helpful. Did you?
    Yes No
  • Great First Car

    Loved it at first sight, took very good care of it and had a great feel nice test drive. Very dependable car extremely reliable durable
    • Purchased a Used car
    • Does recommend this car
    Comfort 4.0
    Interior 4.0
    Performance 5.0
    Value 5.0
    Exterior 5.0
    8 people out of 9 found this review helpful. Did you?
    Yes No
  • The car is a comfortable drive

    The car met all my needs, I was looking for a third row seat The interior was nice, it had good pick up and great color
    • Purchased a Used car
    • Does recommend this car
    Comfort 4.0
    Interior 5.0
    Performance 4.0
    Value 2.0
    Exterior 4.0
    0 people out of 2 found this review helpful. Did you?
    Yes No
  • Most reliable car I've owned

    It has all I expect of a car & so pitchy for my likening. Rated excellent by me to any SUV buyer. Great product and highly reliable vehicle
    • Purchased a Used car
    • Used for Commuting
    • Does recommend this car
    Comfort 5.0
    Interior 4.0
    Performance 5.0
    Value 5.0
    Exterior 5.0
    Reliability 5.0
    2 people out of 2 found this review helpful. Did you?
    Yes No
  • Very good vehicle for my wife

    This the third Suzuki Grand Vitara, the other two were the XL-7. We have never had a problem. I had owned two Toyota 4-runners which cost 10 to 15 thousand more and for my money the Grand Vitara is superior when it comes to room, handling, power, and gas mileage.
    • Purchased a New car
    • Used for Commuting
    • Does recommend this car
    Comfort 5.0
    Interior 5.0
    Performance 5.0
    Value 5.0
    Exterior 5.0
    Reliability 5.0
    5 people out of 5 found this review helpful. Did you?
    Yes No
  • small suv owner

    got the limited edition, inside is leather and very nice, rides smooth. stereo sounds good. dont drive everyday so i dont know about alot of wear and tear
    • Purchased a New car
    • Used for Having fun
    • Does recommend this car
    Comfort 5.0
    Interior 5.0
    Performance 4.0
    Value 4.0
    Exterior 5.0
    Reliability 4.0
    6 people out of 6 found this review helpful. Did you?
    Yes No

Latest news from cars.com

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FAQ

What trim levels are available for the 2012 Suzuki Grand Vitara?

The 2012 Suzuki Grand Vitara is available in 4 trim levels:

  • (1 style)
  • Limited (2 styles)
  • Premium (2 styles)
  • Ultimate Adventure (2 styles)

What is the MPG of the 2012 Suzuki Grand Vitara?

The 2012 Suzuki Grand Vitara offers up to 19 MPG in city driving and 26 MPG on the highway. These figures are based on EPA mileage ratings and are for comparison purposes only. The actual mileage will vary depending on vehicle options, trim level, driving conditions, driving habits, vehicle maintenance, and other factors.

Is the 2012 Suzuki Grand Vitara reliable?

The 2012 Suzuki Grand Vitara has an average reliability rating of 4.0 out of 5 according to cars.com consumers. Find real-world reliability insights within consumer reviews from 2012 Suzuki Grand Vitara owners.

Is the 2012 Suzuki Grand Vitara a good SUV?

Below are the cars.com consumers ratings for the 2012 Suzuki Grand Vitara. 83.3% of drivers recommend this vehicle.

4.2 / 5
Based on 6 reviews
  • Comfort: 4.5
  • Interior: 4.3
  • Performance: 4.2
  • Value: 4.2
  • Exterior: 4.5
  • Reliability: 4.0
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