Category: Small 4x4s 
Price Range: £13,600 to £18,475
Genuine off-road capability, well-equipped.
Limited on-road ability, coarse 2.4, plasticky interior, fragile ride.
Refreshed, value-packed Suzuki still feels its age against more modern alternatives.
For those in the know Suzuki has fine reputation for making tough off-roaders with the ancient SJ earning an almost legendary status among the muddy tyre brigade.
Strange then, that the more modern ones aren't a hit when it comes to reliability or indeed owner satisfaction. The Grand Vitara is a particularly poor example. In the most recent JD Power survey owners rated the Grand Vitara an appalling 99th out of 100 for satisfaction.
When it comes to perceived quality the Suzuki fares better. The interior feels old-school - plasticky but built impeccably. Shame it lacks some of the Nissan Qashqai's fine plastic and attention to detail.
Latest Readers' Drives About the Suzuki Grand Vitara
wrote on 16 10 2008