One good thing I can say about the Grand Vitara is that it's relatively distinctive looking. It has some similarities to earlier-generation Saturn Vues, and whether you like it or not is for you to determine, but standing out in today's market is uncommon. Suzuki's play on the ubiquitous fender vent is an element notched into the trailing edge of the hood where it wraps over the fender. The Grand Vitara is one of the few remaining SUVs that carries its spare tire on the outside below the rear window. This keeps the tire from robbing interior space without taking up residence in the undercarriage, which diminishes the car's departure angle. But I'll get to that aspect in a moment.
Plain (Petite) Jane
Shop the competition, and the first thing you'll notice about the SX4 is its
diminutive size. A family friend who owns a Honda Fit said my test car looked
tiny. Technically, it isn't: The SX4 has ...
Driving on Hills
Driving on Hills
• When climbing steep hills, the car may
begin to slow down and show a lack of
power. If this happens, you should shift
to a lower gear so that the engine will
again be opera ...