Suzuki Grand Vitara - Driven !!!

shuvc · 15th July 2007, 00:18

Continuing from @shuvd's initial report here
http://www.team-bhp.com/forum/indian...-launched.html

Yipeeeee !! I love the GV. Period.

GV vs new CRV - well @razor has first hand experience of both and would be the better person to comment. I haven't driven the CRV yet. But I'd say it may not be a fair comparison. I would look at the GV and judge it on its merits/demerits. Some observations from my side.

# Looks real good. Love the tail lamp design. (They aren't LED)
# I don't fancy beige either. Hence loved the interiors. Plastic quality did feel better than the SX4. Black door fabric trim felt real nice.
# Driving position is lovely. (@razor says CRV's is better). Steering is smallish and feels great.
# Lots of cubbyholes here and there. Most open softly and slowly. Nice.
# The chrome lining of the central console is kinda more of a matt finish compared to the SX4.
# Stereo is OK. Nothing spectacular. At least I would not need to change it.
# Yokohama (made in Japan) tyres. Guess that's expected since it's a CBU.
# Loved the front passenger seat too. Very comfy.
# Doors close with a reassuring thunk. Verry unlike Maruti.
# Power window switches looked pretty ordinary. Though felt good to operate.
# The key too impressed me. A lot better than normal Maruti/Nippon keys.
# Indicator stalk is on the LEFT !!!!!
# Dashboard meters light up like the Hondas when the ignition is switched on.

# Started the engine. Pretty silent.
# AC quite effective. No rear AC vents though.
# Standing outside, the exhaust note is very s**y. Kinda low volume deep throated.
# Slot it into D. Was expecting a sloth. Surprise surprise ! It turned out to be quite peppy. There is probably a more than desired lag in gear selection. But once it latches on, it does move quickly. This was felt by all of us. The manual must be quite a package. I'd say the power is pretty good and belies the on paper figures.
# Ride is good & so is the handling. Felt very little roll. Though I must say there weren't many fast cornering opportunities.
# Steering felt very well balanced. Didn't feel overassisted. Not 'rubberband-ish', as in the SX4/Swift.
# Brakes are reassuring. It probably doesn't have the vice like bite of the civic, but stops where and when you want it to. Did not feel inadequate.
# Reverse ratio - as shuvd has mentioned in the other thread - is pretty odd. One jab and it takes you off guard !

Overall - Would have been a no brainer at say 13 L OTR.
But even at 15 OTR (for the manual); even though it's a petrol which might at most give 8ish (my guess) - given that it's backed by MUL service and the NICE driving experience, I'd seriously consider this vehicle.

After a long time drove something and really loved it.

Pics from @razors album

Picasa Web Albums - razor4077 - Misc

@shuvd, @blackpearl, @razor & rajarshi (do you have a handle here ?) - please do add your bits.

anandpadhye · 15th July 2007, 00:31

any discounts?
what abour warrantee/service package?

BUSA · 15th July 2007, 00:36

Nice pictures and nice review.

The instrumentation design looks straigh out of the NHC

Doesnot it have 16inchers or is it 15? CRV runs on 17inchers?

BTW which engine series is, its M but whats the exact code?

shuvc · 15th July 2007, 00:42

Quote:

Originally Posted by BUSA

Doesnot it have 16inchers or is it 15? CRV runs on 17inchers?

BTW which engine series is, its M but whats the exact code?

I believe it does have 16's. Probably @razors typo in the caption. 225 tyres. From the rear, I felt that 225s looked a tad thin. It would look lovely with 245s though. (The feeling you get looking at the new Endy vis-a-vis the old Endy).

Didn't check engine series. 5 excited guys with around 1 hr of time in hand. You do tend to miss out on some stuff

CrAzY dRiVeR · 15th July 2007, 01:46

So...

We have indeed been mislead (specs) into believing it as a slouch! Guess the manual will be even better!

Suzuki is on a roll. Swift/Swift DDiS/SX4/Grand vitaraV. Moving up the ladder and how!

shuvd · 15th July 2007, 01:58

@ Busa - GV 16" and CRV 17".
@ anandpadhye - No discounts. I think the sales rep said 3yrs.

The GV has permanent all wheel drive and hence shuvc's guess of 8kpl is spot on I think. The 15L sticker price is the only thing holding me back from buying this vehicle. 12.5-13 would have hit the sweet spot.

The website and the brochure says that the GV has a sub setup. But, I couldn't locate it.

mclaren1885 · 15th July 2007, 09:51

I am asked to believe that the Vitara is running a J20! The older one used to run on a 2.7L V6 coded H27.

Rudra Sen · 15th July 2007, 10:25

Hey, this car comes with rear drum brakes?

Vid6639 · 15th July 2007, 10:28

Yes Rudraji it does indeed come with rear drums.

theMAG · 15th July 2007, 10:40

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rudra Sen

Hey, this car comes with rear drum brakes?

Yes - front ventilated discs; rear Leading & trailing drums

Rudra Sen · 15th July 2007, 10:46

Car of that cost should come with disk brakes.
I have the same issue with Optra when I bought. Within two months after I got they switched to rear disks.

BUSA · 15th July 2007, 12:15

I know Rudra Sir how it feels, now 4 wheel discs are standard on all the Optra Diesel, obvisouly GM realise that with that much power they need loads of stopping power.

How good is GV's offroading? If its AWD then if you need to switch to 4L or 4H then what? Is it going to adjust on it own?

shuvd · 15th July 2007, 12:25

@ BUSA - The way we were ripping the GV, the sales rep had become quite pale. So, we didn't have the heart to take it off road

But the car does have a separate low and high ratio selector on the center console. But as I said on the other thread, the sales guy didn't know how to engage it properly and neither could we. But, with just 17kgm of torque serious mud plugging would be difficult if not impossible na?

@ Rudra Da - Even with rear drums, the stopping power is adequate and surefooted.

Rudra Sen · 15th July 2007, 12:31

Quote:

Originally Posted by shuvd

@ Rudra Da - Even with rear drums, the stopping power is adequate and surefooted.

I'm not for a moment questioning it stopping power. Frankly, I don't have any issue with my Optra also. But I should expect certain things as given. Especially when one pays that kind of price.

herculesksp · 15th July 2007, 12:44

Nice... The package definitely looks great. Still, I would prefer a (pseudo)SUV that has more butch looks. This looks too mild. The key looks awesome (no console hanging from key) and the dash also looks pretty interesting.

15th July 2007, 00:18	#1
shuvc Senior - BHPian Join Date: May 2005 Location: Kolkata Posts: 2,911 Thanked: 359 Times View My Garage	Suzuki Grand Vitara - Driven !!! Continuing from @shuvd's initial report here http://www.team-bhp.com/forum/indian...-launched.html Yipeeeee !! I love the GV. Period. GV vs new CRV - well @razor has first hand experience of both and would be the better person to comment. I haven't driven the CRV yet. But I'd say it may not be a fair comparison. I would look at the GV and judge it on its merits/demerits. Some observations from my side. # Looks real good. Love the tail lamp design. (They aren't LED) # I don't fancy beige either. Hence loved the interiors. Plastic quality did feel better than the SX4. Black door fabric trim felt real nice. # Driving position is lovely. (@razor says CRV's is better). Steering is smallish and feels great. # Lots of cubbyholes here and there. Most open softly and slowly. Nice. # The chrome lining of the central console is kinda more of a matt finish compared to the SX4. # Stereo is OK. Nothing spectacular. At least I would not need to change it. # Yokohama (made in Japan) tyres. Guess that's expected since it's a CBU. # Loved the front passenger seat too. Very comfy. # Doors close with a reassuring thunk. Verry unlike Maruti. # Power window switches looked pretty ordinary. Though felt good to operate. # The key too impressed me. A lot better than normal Maruti/Nippon keys. # Indicator stalk is on the LEFT !!!!! # Dashboard meters light up like the Hondas when the ignition is switched on. # Started the engine. Pretty silent. # AC quite effective. No rear AC vents though. # Standing outside, the exhaust note is very s*y. Kinda low volume deep throated. # Slot it into D. Was expecting a sloth. Surprise surprise ! It turned out to be quite peppy. There is probably a more than desired lag in gear selection. But once it latches on, it does move quickly. This was felt by all of us. The manual must be quite a package. I'd say the power is pretty good and belies the on paper figures. # Ride is good & so is the handling. Felt very little roll. Though I must say there weren't many fast cornering opportunities. # Steering felt very well balanced. Didn't feel overassisted. Not 'rubberband-ish', as in the SX4/Swift. # Brakes are reassuring. It probably doesn't have the vice like bite of the civic, but stops where and when you want it to. Did not feel inadequate. # Reverse ratio - as shuvd has mentioned in the other thread - is pretty odd. One jab and it takes you off guard ! Overall - Would have been a no brainer at say 13 L OTR. But even at 15 OTR (for the manual); even though it's a petrol which might at most give 8ish (my guess) - given that it's backed by MUL service and the NICE driving experience, I'd seriously consider this vehicle. After a long time drove something and really loved it. Pics from @razors album Picasa Web Albums - razor4077 - Misc @shuvd, @blackpearl, @razor & rajarshi (do you have a handle here ?) - please do add your bits. Last edited by shuvc : 15th July 2007 at 00:31.*
	(2) Thanks

15th July 2007, 00:31	#2
anandpadhye Distinguished - BHPian Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Pune Posts: 3,060 Thanked: 3,347 Times	any discounts? what abour warrantee/service package?
	() Thanks

15th July 2007, 00:36	#3
BUSA Senior - BHPian Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Bombay Posts: 5,127 Thanked: 23 Times View My Garage	Nice pictures and nice review. The instrumentation design looks straigh out of the NHC Doesnot it have 16inchers or is it 15? CRV runs on 17inchers? BTW which engine series is, its M but whats the exact code?
	() Thanks

15th July 2007, 01:46	#5
CrAzY dRiVeR Team-BHP Support Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Bangalore / TVM Posts: 18,017 Thanked: 78,907 Times View My Garage	So... We have indeed been mislead (specs) into believing it as a slouch! Guess the manual will be even better! Suzuki is on a roll. Swift/Swift DDiS/SX4/Grand vitaraV. Moving up the ladder and how!
	() Thanks

15th July 2007, 01:58	#6
shuvd Senior - BHPian Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Calcutta Posts: 1,081 Thanked: 8 Times View My Garage	@ Busa - GV 16" and CRV 17". @ anandpadhye - No discounts. I think the sales rep said 3yrs. The GV has permanent all wheel drive and hence shuvc's guess of 8kpl is spot on I think. The 15L sticker price is the only thing holding me back from buying this vehicle. 12.5-13 would have hit the sweet spot. The website and the brochure says that the GV has a sub setup. But, I couldn't locate it.
	() Thanks

15th July 2007, 09:51	#7
mclaren1885 BANNED Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Bangalore (the city of modded cars) !! Posts: 4,818 Thanked: 46 Times View My Garage Infractions: 0/1 (10)	I am asked to believe that the Vitara is running a J20! The older one used to run on a 2.7L V6 coded H27.
	() Thanks

15th July 2007, 10:25	#8
Rudra Sen Team-BHP Support Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Bangalore Posts: 11,752 Thanked: 6,871 Times View My Garage	Hey, this car comes with rear drum brakes?
	() Thanks

15th July 2007, 10:28	#9
Vid6639 Team-BHP Support Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Bangalore Posts: 17,711 Thanked: 44,145 Times View My Garage	Yes Rudraji it does indeed come with rear drums.
	() Thanks

15th July 2007, 10:46	#11
Rudra Sen Team-BHP Support Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Bangalore Posts: 11,752 Thanked: 6,871 Times View My Garage	Car of that cost should come with disk brakes. I have the same issue with Optra when I bought. Within two months after I got they switched to rear disks.
	() Thanks

15th July 2007, 12:15	#12
BUSA Senior - BHPian Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Bombay Posts: 5,127 Thanked: 23 Times View My Garage	I know Rudra Sir how it feels, now 4 wheel discs are standard on all the Optra Diesel, obvisouly GM realise that with that much power they need loads of stopping power. How good is GV's offroading? If its AWD then if you need to switch to 4L or 4H then what? Is it going to adjust on it own?
	() Thanks

15th July 2007, 12:25	#13
shuvd Senior - BHPian Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Calcutta Posts: 1,081 Thanked: 8 Times View My Garage	@ BUSA - The way we were ripping the GV, the sales rep had become quite pale. So, we didn't have the heart to take it off road But the car does have a separate low and high ratio selector on the center console. But as I said on the other thread, the sales guy didn't know how to engage it properly and neither could we. But, with just 17kgm of torque serious mud plugging would be difficult if not impossible na? @ Rudra Da - Even with rear drums, the stopping power is adequate and surefooted. Last edited by shuvd : 15th July 2007 at 12:27.
	() Thanks

15th July 2007, 12:44	#15
herculesksp BHPian Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Bangalore Posts: 380 Thanked: 259 Times	Nice... The package definitely looks great. Still, I would prefer a (pseudo)SUV that has more butch looks. This looks too mild. The key looks awesome (no console hanging from key) and the dash also looks pretty interesting.
	() Thanks