Suzuki Grand Vitara

Name: 2012 Suzuki Grand Vitara
Brand: Suzuki

EPA MPG: 21 mpg

Owner Reported MPG:

EPA MPG: 21 mpg

Owner Reported MPG:

RECALL ALERT: There are 2 recalls on this vehicle. Learn More.

There are 2 recalls on this vehicle. Learn More.

RECALL ALERT: There are 2 recalls on this vehicle. Learn More.

There are 2 recalls on this vehicle. Learn More.

Reliability Details

Owner Satisfaction Details

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Road Test

Though this version of the Suzuki Grand Vitara falls far short of the best in this class, it does have some virtues. Equipped with its standard four-cylinder engine, the powertrain is sluggish, lacks refinement, and is not very economical with fuel. The ride is stiff and choppy, and handling lacks agility. Despite its everyday clumsiness, emergency handling is very secure. Other good points include a spacious rear seat and a generous list of standard amenities.

2012 SUVs Reliability

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Suzuki Grand Vita...

Suzuki Grand Vitara

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Crash Tests

IIHS Front Moderate Overlap

Good

IIHS Front Small Overlap, Driver

IIHS Side Crash

Acceptable

NHTSA Overall Crash

NHTSA Overall Frontal-Crash

NHTSA Overall Side-Crash

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Owner Reports

Owner Satisfaction

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2012

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2025

Driving Experience

Comfort

Value

Crash Tests

IIHS Front Moderate Overlap

Good

IIHS Front Small Overlap, Driver

IIHS Side Crash

Acceptable

NHTSA Overall Crash

NHTSA Overall Frontal-Crash

NHTSA Overall Side-Crash

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Crash Tests

IIHS Front Moderate Overlap

Good

IIHS Front Small Overlap, Driver

IIHS Side Crash

Acceptable

NHTSA Overall Crash

NHTSA Overall Frontal-Crash

NHTSA Overall Side-Crash

See All Ratings & Specs

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Features & Specs

4-door SUV

2 front, 3 rear

4WD, AWD, Rear

2.4-liter 4 (166 hp)

5-speed manual
4-speed automatic

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Model History

2009-2013

2009 Redesign Year

A 2.4-liter four-cylinder is new and a more powerful V6 also arrived for 2009. Though this version of the Suzuki Grand Vitara falls far short of the best in this class, it does have some virtues. Equipped with its standard four-cylinder engine, the powertrain is sluggish, lacks refinement, and is not very economical with fuel. The ride is stiff and choppy, and handling lacks agility. Despite its everyday clumsiness, emergency handling is very secure. Other good points include a spacious rear seat and a generous list of standard amenities.

2006-2008

2006 Redesign Year

Before 2004, the body-on-frame Vitara SUV was available as a two-door soft-top, four-door wagon and extended-length wagon. We found the V6 sluggish, its power blunted by its automatic transmission. In fact, we've found all Vitaras to be slow, noisy, and uncomfortable. The redesigned 2006 Grand Vitara brought unibody construction and a fully independent suspension. The V6 was still sluggish and returned just 18 mpg. The stiff, jittery ride, vague steering and reluctant handling didn't impress us either.

1999-2005

1999 Redesign Year

With its body-on-frame design, the Sidekick lacks the ride-and-handling refinement of more modern, car- based SUVs. Early models are plagued by slow steering and a lack of power. The Sidekick was discontinued in 1998 and replaced by the Vitara, which is available as a two-door soft-top and a four-door hardtop. A 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine is standard. The four-door Grand Vitara packs a stronger 2.5-liter V6 and more standard equipment. Though a novelty in this class, the Six feels sluggish, its power blunted by the automatic transmission. We've found all of these vehicles to be slow, noisy, and uncomfortable.