Johannesburg – Jaco Van Der Merwe, Head of Motoring at The Citizen, shares his experience after living with the Suzuki Grand Vitara 1.5 GLX automatic for five months and nearly 5,000 km. This compact SUV from Suzuki has proven to be as reliable, comfortable, and easy to operate as one would expect from the brand. However, despite its many positive attributes, the Grand Vitara is not receiving the same level of attention as its sibling, the Toyota Urban Cruiser.
Priced at R453,900, the Grand Vitara comes with a host of features, including a panoramic sunroof, a 360-degree camera, and a head-up display. But, according to Van Der Merwe, its higher price tag has made it less appealing to South African buyers, especially when compared to the Toyota Urban Cruiser, which starts at a more affordable R373,800. While the Urban Cruiser lacks some of the Grand Vitara’s premium features, its lower cost has made it a favorite among price-sensitive buyers, contributing to its success in the market.
The Grand Vitara is powered by a 1.5-litre naturally aspirated petrol engine, producing 77 kW and 138 Nm of torque. While the engine performs adequately for everyday driving, the four-speed automatic gearbox can be a bit sluggish, especially when accelerating hard. However, Van Der Merwe found that the Grand Vitara’s steering is light and responsive, with a turning circle of just 10.8 metres, making it easy to maneuver in tight parking spaces.
Fuel efficiency is another highlight, with the Grand Vitara averaging 7.2 litres per 100 km in real-world driving conditions, even with minimal open-road driving. Van Der Merwe points out that this is impressive, especially when compared to similar vehicles with smaller turbocharged engines.
Inside, the Grand Vitara offers a well-appointed cabin with leatherette trim, a 9-inch infotainment system featuring wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and a spacious 310-litre boot. While the lack of a physical volume knob and the thin roller blind on the sunroof may be minor drawbacks, Van Der Merwe found the overall interior experience to be comfortable and practical for daily use.
Safety features include six airbags, electronic stability control, ABS with EBA, and rear parking sensors. These provide peace of mind for both the driver and passengers. Despite the Grand Vitara’s solid performance and feature-rich interior, Van Der Merwe believes its higher price and premium features are putting it at a disadvantage in the highly competitive compact SUV market.
As the Grand Vitara struggles to gain traction, Van Der Merwe suggests that a slight price adjustment or specification tweak could help the vehicle stand out in a crowded market and garner the attention it truly deserves.
Discussion about this post