2000 Suzuki Grand Vitara Review

Solid, reliable, high performing vehicle

Written by: Mike on 06/03/2009

Vehicle

2000 Suzuki Grand Vitara 4 Dr JLX 4WD Hardtop

Review

I'm the type of person that looks for high quality at a good price and I keep my "things" as long as they work and take care of them.I've driven this car for almost 200,000 miles and am the second owner since 7,000 miles in 2002. It has been the most reliable vehicle that I've ever known. As my friends go through car #2 and car #3, I'm still driving this sweet SUV around since 2nd year of college and it rides as though it has 50-70k. Engine starting to make a little noise, AC doesn't work anymore but hey, it has 200k miles. I can definitely see it lasting at least another 60k before any major issues so long as I continue to change the oil every 3k and stay on top of it. Very good investment.

Favorite Features

Easy shifting 4WD. The engine is strong for a vehicle its size. Timing chain instead of timing belt making it as maintenance free as possible. Easy to maintain for persons moderately skilled with mechanics. Very versatile vehicle. Made tough with high quality parts and frame and extremely reliable.

Suggested Improvements

Very small inside especially for rear seating, i would suggest finding a way to decrease the trunk capacity and move the seats back just 4-6 inches and it would be a perfect passenger car. Maybe a little better gas mileage? The trunk space would end up tiny but passengers would be more comfortable.

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Amazed

Written by: Wow on 05/03/2009

Vehicle

2000 Suzuki Grand Vitara 4 Dr JLX 4WD Hardtop

Review

We use these cars at work to truck around parts into NYC and im amazed, i never thought we would be seeing 200k plus miles without an issue, especially when we beat the crud out of them. Some go as much as 10k before an oil change. we had 4 of them, one died at 225k miles the others are at 183k and 205k mpg at best is 18mpg-hwy and 14mpg combined. the one that died was due to being run without oil... which was jiffy lubes fault. (estimated 9k miles before its death without oil) The other two don't burn, leak, or make any odd noises. I wouldn't be shocked at seeing 300k miles...

Favorite Features

Stiff ride is great at eating up NYC pot-holes.. Great off road ability, great visibility and short circle turning radius... PRICE... try getting 200k on a Explorer without any issues.

Suggested Improvements

better AC, bigger moon roof.... thinking.... better window motors

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Nice Car

Written by: NaderTader on 04/13/2009

Vehicle

2000 Suzuki Grand Vitara 4 Dr Limited 4WD Hardtop

Review

Very reliable, i tow my boat with it and no problems, good gas mileage on the highway, easy to park. The only problem is that it doesn't have much trunk space or leg room in the back. It runs good

Favorite Features

Suggested Improvements

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Corporation Lemon

Written by: paragon on 05/15/2008

Vehicle

2000 Suzuki Grand Vitara 4 Dr JLX 4WD Hardtop

Review

I love my vehicle NOW! (after a new motor and many other trips to the dealership.) Dealership couldn't find the problem when the CHECK ENGINE light began coming on at 20K miles. In a year's time, I had possession of the SUV only about 3 months. The rest of the time was spent in the shop. NO KIDDING! District and regional even was sent to work on it. To no avail. Corporation then decided to replace vehicle as a lemon; didn't happen. Then buy back vehicle, didn't happen. Then give me money for trade, didn't happen. Then finally told me "tough luck."

Favorite Features

Turns around on a dime, cute body style, cargo space, smooth tranny, GREAT IN SNOW AND MUD! Now has over 150K on body and 90K on motor, and is doing as well as when it was new. Paint and trim holding up very well. Great SUV if you don't get a lemon!

Suggested Improvements

Watch out for the SuzukiCorp. They declared the vehicle to be a factory lemon(I have the papers to prove it!) yet did nothing about it, especially frustrating when motor played out after numerous (fixes?) Needs better warranty, more customer support. Radio is pitiful. Interior made for

1 out 1 people found this review helpful

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Budget SUV with Decent Quality

Written by: Zukilver on 03/19/2008

Vehicle

2000 Suzuki Grand Vitara 4 Dr Limited Hardtop

Review

Owned this car since 36k miles, now 65k. Not so bad. Hard to find parts and accessories. Overall, very reliable, like a mini 4Runner. Limited edition is very rare, I only saw 3 in my whole life, but comes with very useful package. Never went to the shop, never. I only do regular oil change. Resale price is unbelievably higher knowing that this is a budget SUV.

Favorite Features

Engine, smooth, good power, and it makes great noise with after-market air-intake system(not suggested if you don't like noisy engine). Breaks, large rotors in the fronts really helps. One-touch sunroof.

Suggested Improvements

Unstable at speeding over 75mph, especially at turn, you might feel that it might skip the road, another word over steering. Bad fuel economy, never did better than 21mpg.

1 out 1 people found this review helpful

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