2006 Suzuki Grand Vitara Review
2006 Suzuki Grand Vitara Review
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Edmunds' Expert Review
by the Edmunds Experts
Pros
- Quality interior, quiet cabin, long list of standard features.
Cons
- Economy-minded four-cylinder no longer an option.
What’s new
For 2006 Suzuki has fully redesigned its Grand Vitara compact SUV. For the new Grand Vitara, Suzuki abandoned the truck-based platform of the previous versions and built it on a more carlike frame, although it's reinforced to allow for some off-road duty. The Grand Vitara now has a fairly deluxe interior and uses little of the previous version's cheap-looking plastic.
Edmunds says
The 2006 Suzuki Grand Vitara is a tenfold leap over the previous truck-based version. This new Suzuki SUV offers a smooth, quiet highway ride along with a stylish interior.
Cost to DriveCost to drive estimates for the 2006 Suzuki Grand Vitara 4dr SUV (2.7L 6cyl 5M) and comparison vehicles are based on 15,000 miles per year (with a mix of 55% city and 45% highway driving) and energy estimates of $3.36 per gallon for regular unleaded in North Carolina.
Monthly estimates based on costs in North Carolina
$225/mo for Grand Vitara Base
Grand Vitara Base
vs
$176/mo
Avg. Compact SUV
Vehicle overview
The latter years of the 1999 to 2005 Suzuki Grand Vitara were not particularly bright. While this compact SUV did offer decent off-road ability, it lacked the increasing amount of refinement and finesse found in newer vehicles such as the CR-V and RAV4. Those compact SUVs wouldn't handle much more than a gravel road in terms of off-road character but they had what most buyers wanted: a smooth ride and adequate interior space without the fuel gulping and parking hassles of a full-size truck.
Suzuki has clearly been paying attention as the fully redesigned 2006 Grand Vitara offers features, styling and quality on par with the top compact SUVs. Not content to let Kia and Hyundai take the value spotlight, Suzuki also priced the Grand Vitara competitively and included the company's stellar 7-year/100,000-mile powertrain warranty. For 2006, there is no longer a Suzuki Vitara; that four-cylinder model has been dropped and all Vitaras are now Grand Vitaras. All come standard with a V6 and the two top trim levels offer an improved four-wheel-drive system.
Despite the low base price, the new Suzuki Grand Vitara offers plenty of features as standard. Items like micron air filtration, tinted rear windows, steering wheel-mounted audio and cruise controls, keyless entry, stability control, and ABS are all included in the sub-$20,000 base model. But the real deluxe features are included on the XSport and the Luxury Package models. Most notable is the SmartPass system that allows you to enter and start the Suzuki SUV without ever handling a key. The XSport also adds a five-speed automatic and fender flares. The top-of-the-line Luxury version with leather, sunroof, 17-inch wheels and HomeLink add a few thousand dollars to the price but the value is still reasonable when comparing to a fully loaded CR-V.
The new interior of the Grand Vitara is far beyond anything we've seen from Suzuki in terms of style, materials quality and luxury. The dash incorporates nice textures and flowing lines, and the gauges are housed in an attractive three-circle fashion with each ring surrounded by faux aluminum trim. The center stack is also bordered by simulated aluminum trim and the stereo controls especially feel more upscale than expected. The seats are comfortable for long drives, but the cloth seats feel a little comfier than the leather. However, the leather used on those seats is very soft. Overall, the Grand Vitara's interior looks and feels more like something out of the $30,000 segment rather than a budget-priced Suzuki SUV. This is probably the first Suzuki that has Honda and Toyota glancing over their shoulders.
Performance & mpg
The Suzuki Grand Vitara is powered by a 2.7-liter V6 making 185 horsepower and 184 pound-feet of torque. A five-speed manual is standard on the base and premium models and a five-speed automatic is optional. Luxury and XSport versions have that automatic as a standard feature. Four-wheel drive is available for each style.
Safety
Standard safety features on the Grand Vitara include stability control, ABS with Electronic Brakeforce Distribution, side curtain airbags for front and rear outboard passengers and front side airbags.
Driving
The 2006 Suzuki Grand Vitara now rides on a unibody frame which gives it a more carlike ride. Even at highway speeds the interior remains quiet and there is little wind or road noise. Suzuki wanted to retain some of the old Grand Vitara's off-road prowess so it built a ladder frame into the structure and as a result it does tackle rutted trails and steep dirt roads with some of the old truck's flair. The standard V6 is quiet and powerful enough, although we suspect a hardier engine would result in less downshifting while traveling in mountainous areas.
Interior
The Grand Vitara's new interior is one of the best-looking we've seen in any Suzuki. The dash incorporates nice textures and flowing lines, and the gauges are housed in an attractive three-circle fashion with each ring surrounded by faux aluminum trim. The center stack is also bordered by simulated aluminum trim and the stereo controls especially feel more upscale than expected. With the rear seats lowered, there's 68.9 cubic feet of cargo room available.
2006 Suzuki Grand Vitara models
The Suzuki Grand Vitara, a four-door compact SUV, is offered in four styles: base, Premium, XSport, and Luxury. Base models come well equipped with items like 16-inch wheels, automatic climate control, cruise control, keyless entry, full power accessories, a MP3-compatible CD player and steering wheel-mounted controls. To this, the Premium style adds alloy wheels an in-dash CD changer and the XSport adds a standard automatic transmission and a remote "SmartPass" keyless engine-start feature. The top-line Luxury style includes leather seating, 17-inch alloy wheels, a moonroof, heated front seats and wood grain trim.
Consumer reviews
Read what other owners think about the Used 2006 Suzuki Grand Vitara.
5 star(71%)
4 star(17%)
3 star(8%)
2 star(1%)
1 star(3%)
168 reviews
Trending topics in reviews
Most helpful consumer reviews
5 out of 5 stars
The best car ever
aymanca, 10/28/2014
2006 Suzuki Grand Vitara XSport 4dr SUV (2.7L 6cyl 5A)
I bought this car October 2006 and I never had any problem with it, it runs good and it worth every dollar .
It's really surprise me to know that the company has closed down in USA, it's really a lost not to have this brand here. I recommended to everyone and I really enjoy driving it as the first day I had it. I just recently replaced the battery ( after 8 years) and I had no other … issues. I love Suzuki and if the company still around it will be my first choice , better than Honda or Toyota .
4 out of 5 stars
One of the best cars I have ever owned
woodinhills, 02/10/2013
2006 Suzuki Grand Vitara XSport 4dr SUV 4WD (2.7L 6cyl 5A)
Bought new in Denver, in 3/2006. Is turning 100,000 tomorrow, so here's a review: Very fun to drive, "tight" feel, firm but not overly so suspension, decent ground clearance. TRUE 4x4, with Low Range- EXC! I lived @ 8,600' elevation for 7 years, and this little beast will climb thru 3' of powder snow with mud and snow tires. Decent sound system with subwoofer, CLIMATE CONTROL is really … terrific! Comfy seats, but the driver's is coming apart a bit.
5 out of 5 stars
The Wonderful World of the Grand Vitara
maryr, 12/18/2006
2006 Suzuki Grand Vitara 4dr SUV (2.7L 6cyl 5A)
I bought a 2006 Grand Vitara this summer and it is the best vehicle I have ever owned. The engine has a very quick response with zero hesitation. The vehicle is very easy to maneuver and parking is a breeze. The Grand Vitara is so much fun to drive, I am a middle aged woman who feels every bit a teenager when I drive this vehicle!
4.63 out of 5 stars
113K and still fun to drive
alrod, 08/26/2013
2006 Suzuki Grand Vitara Luxury 4dr SUV (2.7L 6cyl 5A)
I bought my Suzuki new in 2006 and have had no issues other than one tire change and a couple of brake jobs. I am sad that Suzuki no longer makes this vehicle because it has served me well and has been nothing short of reliable.
2006 Grand Vitara Highlights
Base
Base MSRP Excludes Destination Fee | $19,199 |
---|---|
Engine Type | Gas |
Combined MPG | 18 MPG |
Cost to Drive | $225/month |
Seating | 5 seats |
Cargo Capacity All Seats In Place | 24.4 cu.ft. |
Drivetrain | rear wheel drive |
Warranty | 3 years / 36,000 miles |
Safety
Key safety features on the Grand Vitara include:
- Stability Control
NHTSA Overall Rating
The National Highway Transportation Safety Administration offers independent analysis.
- Frontal Barrier Crash RatingOverallNot RatedDriver4 / 5Passenger4 / 5
- Side Crash RatingOverallNot Rated
- Side Barrier RatingOverallNot RatedDriver5 / 5Passenger5 / 5
- Combined Side Barrier & Pole RatingsFront SeatNot RatedBack SeatNot Rated
- RolloverRollover4 / 5Dynamic Test ResultNo TipRisk Of RolloverNot Rated
IIHS Rating
The Insurance Institute of Highway Safety uses extensive crash tests to determine car safety.
- Small Overlap Front Driver-Side TestNot Tested
- Small Overlap Front Passenger-Side TestNot Tested
- Moderate Overlap Front Test – OriginalGood
- Moderate Overlap Front Test – UpdatedNot Tested
- Side Impact Test – OriginalNot Tested
- Side Impact Test – UpdatedNot Tested
- Roof Strength TestNot Tested
- Rear Crash Protection / Head RestraintPoor
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