Suzuki Grand Vitara
1999 is the year in which Suzuki entered the compact sport utility vehicle segment and made a splash by raising the bar in engine power no other compact utility before and then sported a V6 engine. It is not just another V6 engine though; the 2.5-liter V6 produces 155 horsepower and 160 pound-feet of torque. Even more remarkable is that this maximum torque figure is reached at a moderately low 4,000 rpm, bestowing upon drivers plenty of accelerating-power even under harsh and condescending conditions. Harnessing those 155 horses is either a five-speed manual or four-speed automatic. Totally new for that year, the Suzuki Grand Vitara is a compact Sport Utility Vehicle that was designed based on truck principles, it sported a slick power plant, live axles and two speed transfer cases.
If you think that all these rambling about the engine is because that’s all the Grand Vitara has got, think again, Suzuki has high hopes for their main entry and they didn’t want just to be another bore in the lineup. Suzuki wanted to bring the notch up to another level, this meant making a lot of optional things standard which includes power mirrors, power steering, intermittent wipers, air conditioning, power window and door locks, an AM/FM cassette with 4 speakers, cruise control, dual cup holders, and tinted glass to name a few. And that was just on the base trim the JS, the JLX trim offers more, there are also two more trims available, the upgraded JS+ and the JLX+. The Grand Vitara is also offered in two-wheel and four-wheel drives.
For a compact SUV the Grand Vitara feels like anything but it. It offers the same vantage point for the driver but doest have the going inside difficulty, it is relatively easy to clamber in, even for a compact person. You also have the cargo space that was before allotted to midsize SUV, headroom is great and rear seats can be folded to provide more cargo room. Another come on for the Grand Vitara is that it has a strong sturdy body and is basically rattle-free. Suzuki has always been known in forging a skin tight car shell. It is durable and can take a bit of a punishing and is very capable in medium off-roading.
The Grand Vitara was the replacement of the Suzuki Sidekick which used to represent Suzuki in this segment. The Grand Vitara though proved just how serious Suzuki is and has proven well. The Suzuki Grand Vitara projects itself as the urban warrior, on the weekdays it’s a daily commuter zipping past bigger SUV’s with sedan like performance while on the weekends it’s a kayak carrying, Jet Ski towing machine out to enjoy a day in the lake.
"UNIVERSAL 3-POINT RETRACTABLE SEAT BELTS, DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE, SOLD AS PAIR -- This Seat Belt May Require Modification Or Other Adjustments To Your Vehicle Upon Installation, 1-3/4 in. Width x 131 in. Full Extended Length, Comes With Center Push Buckle, Without Air Bag Sensor"
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