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Suzuki Grand Vitara 2006 through 2008

1048 messages,  Last post on Jan 14, 2012 at 11:29 AM

You are in the Suzuki Grand Vitara/Vitara Forum.

What is this discussion about? Suzuki Grand Vitara, SUV

Messages Page 1 of 105

#1 of 1048 Suzuki Escudo by rsholland

May 16, 2005 (7:24 am)

It has a fully independent suspension, unibody construction with ladder-frame chassis (like Honda Ridgeline), full-time 4WD with a locking center differential and low range. In Japan HIDs, NAV and an electronic stability program are standard. a 5-speed auto is standard with the V6 model. In Japan the V6 is 2.7L, but I think we will get a larger engine. Not sure if it has 3-row seating?
 

 

 

 

 

 
I saw the concept that was shown at the NY show, and was VERY impressed! Should be on sale here next fall.
 
Bob

#2 of 1048 More on Escudo by rsholland

May 16, 2005 (8:18 am)

From NY auto show:
 
http://www.suzukiauto.com/about_suzuki/concepts/concept_x2/
 
From Japanese Suzuki web site:
 
http://www.suzuki.co.jp/escudo/
 
Looks like it could be a poor man's mini Touareg.
 
Bob

#3 of 1048 looks good by carlisimo

May 16, 2005 (1:13 pm)

Together with the new Swift, Suzuki has a good design language going.
 
Funny that Japan can't get over the forward-placed rearview mirrors...

#4 of 1048 More on next Grand Vitara (Escudo) by rsholland

May 23, 2005 (7:20 am)

http://www.autoweek.com/news.cms?newsId=102429

#5 of 1048 Nice by jchan2

Jun 09, 2005 (10:03 am)

From the back, it looks a lot like a RAV4.

#6 of 1048 Just spotted it by navigator89

Jul 10, 2005 (4:53 am)

Today while at the shopping mall I just spotted this vehicle. I wasn't too sure what it was, but the badge said it was a Grand Vitara. I didn't expect to see it too soon.
 
Anyway, it was in royal blue, and it looked great. Much better than the bland/boring design of the current XL7 and Grand Vitara. It looks a whole lot bigger, even more than the XL7. Apparently it's 12 inches longer.
 
It must have been imported from Japan, but it had RHD! It started selling May 16 in Japan according to Autoweek.
 
I didn't even know these were out!

#7 of 1048 Re: Just spotted it [navigator89] by rsholland

Jul 10, 2005 (7:42 am)

Replying to: navigator89 (Jul 10, 2005 4:53 am)
RHD? Or did you mean LHD?
 
Are you near Suzuki's American headquarters? It could be a pre-production model being tested by a Suzuki employee . Did it have "manuafacturer's" license plates?
 
Bob

#8 of 1048 Re: Just spotted it [rsholland] by navigator89

Jul 10, 2005 (4:11 pm)

Replying to: rsholland (Jul 10, 2005 7:42 am)
Sorry, I meant LHD.
 
I'm in the Middle East, so maybe the model will be released here before being released in America. It had normal plates, as far as I can remember.

#9 of 1048 Re: Just spotted it [navigator89] by rsholland

Jul 10, 2005 (5:33 pm)

Replying to: navigator89 (Jul 10, 2005 4:11 pm)
Maybe it's already on the market there.
 
Bob

#10 of 1048 Drove a '06 Grand Vitara (Escudo) today by rsholland

Aug 30, 2005 (8:53 pm)

It was a pretty base model, but with full-time AWD. This vehicle will go a long way towards changing Suzuki's image here, and for the better. I was very impressed. The power is good; not great but good, and certainly seemed more powerful than the non-turbo Forester 2.5. It seemed very well made, and is about as roomy as a CRV. It lacks the height of the CRV, so the CRV may have more "total" space. Either way it's much roomier than the Forester. The rear seats fold like the CRV, meaning split-fold and tumble.
 
The ride is not as good as the Forester, mainly because it appears to be a bit more rugged, and you can feel that going over bumps. It's weight is around 3600 lbs, which is in the Outback H-6 neighborhood. The steering seemed to be pretty quick, and quicker than the Forester I think.
 
The one I drove had the 5-speed automatic. All new Grand Vitaras have a 185 HP 2.7L V6 (w/timing chain), fully independent suspension, choice of 2WD, full-time 4WD, or 4-Mode 4WD (Neutral, 4-hi full-time, 4-hi lock, 4-lo lock), stability control, ABS, fullsize spare and 3K towing. They start around $19K. The one I drove was around $22K. It's a very nice package.
 
Bob

Messages Page 1 of 105

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