2004 Suzuki Vitara Review
2004 Suzuki Vitara Review
View more photos
Used Vitara for sale
Appraise This CarSee Edmunds pricing data
Has Your Car's Value Changed?
Used car values are constantly changing. Edmunds lets you track your vehicle's value over time so you can decide when to sell or trade in.
Edmunds' Expert Review
by the Edmunds Experts
Pros
- Truck-based body-on-frame construction means off-road capability.
Cons
- Meager cargo space, cramped rear seats, lacks refinement.
What’s new
The Vitara two-door has been dropped. The Vitara four-door is upgraded with a V6 engine and comes with charcoal-colored bumpers and mud guards, a newly designed soft spare tire cover and new exterior colors.
Edmunds says
The small SUV segment is full of very capable vehicles, and although the Vitara can rock-crawl with the best of them, it gets left behind in nearly every other respect.
Cost to DriveCost to drive estimates for the 2004 Suzuki Vitara LX Rwd 4dr SUV (2.5L 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
$223/mo for Vitara LX
Vitara LX
vs
$176/mo
Avg. Compact SUV
Consumer reviews
Read what other owners think about the Used 2004 Suzuki Vitara.
5 star(44%)
4 star(50%)
3 star(6%)
2 star(0%)
1 star(0%)
34 reviews
Trending topics in reviews
Most helpful consumer reviews
4.5 out of 5 stars
Love My Vitara
luvmycar, 02/16/2007
2004 Suzuki Vitara LX Rwd 4dr SUV (2.5L 6cyl 5M)
This is a great "little SUV!" It's compact enough to fit into any compact space and it's soooo fun to drive. It's a little jerky but I think that's the charm of it plus mine is manual so it's extra fun and animated! I have only had it for a year, but I haven't had ANY problems mechanical, electrical or otherwise. I drove across the country with it and it is still in superb condition. … It has been very reliable! I am absolutely in LOVE with my Vitara, I recommend this vehicle to anyone who wants their cars to be reliable with personality (not in a bad way).
4.25 out of 5 stars
Love my 'Zuki
Laura, 11/19/2006
2003 Suzuki Vitara Rwd 4dr SUV (2.0L 4cyl 5M)
My Suzuki Vitara has been wonderful. It handles easily, is truly economical to drive, and doesn't embarrass the kids. Too bad Suzuki discontinued the model, or I'd be trading it in for a newer one. It also has a pretty decent sound system in it, which I found to be a plus as soon as I started taking longer road trips. It even has nice safety features.
4.38 out of 5 stars
My Third One
WOldaker, 07/04/2003
2002 Suzuki Vitara JLX 4WD 4dr SUV (2.0L 4cyl 5M)
This is the 3rd 4wd Suzuki I have
owned. irst was a Samauri,then Side
Kick. and the last one the Vitara.
After owning the "dangerous" Samuari :=)
I knew I would probabably never drive
anther brand though would opt for more
comforts. It was time for my wife to
get a new vehicle so she ended up with
the Vitara. My Sidekick only has 170000
miles and is not ready to go yet. … My
wife teaches at 2 colleges 50+ miles
from each other and I wanted to have a
reliable, durable and safe vehicle for
her in any weather or situation. That
sums up the Suzuki Vitara.
4.5 out of 5 stars
A Genuine Mini 4-Wheeler
Army Veteran, 07/29/2002
2002 Suzuki Vitara JLX 4WD 2dr Soft Top SUV (2.0L 4cyl 5M)
The vehicle has been a pleasant
surprise in comparison with the Jeep
Wrangler. Unlike some competitors it
has a 4WD Hi/4WD Lo transfer case, and
is based on a true "truck" body. It has
less than half the turning radius of a
Jeep Wrangler. The rack-and-pinion
steering has a more precise feel. I
also got the advertised 25 mpg mileage,
which is 40% better than the Jeep. … The
torquy 16-valve DOHC 2 liter four
breathes freely at top end. Too bad
Jeep doesn't make this little 4-wheeler!
We have a limited number of reviews for the 2004 Suzuki Vitara, so we've included reviews for other years of the Vitara since its last redesign.
2004 Vitara Highlights
Base MSRP Excludes Destination Fee | $16,999 |
---|---|
Engine Type | Gas |
Combined MPG | 18 MPG |
Cost to Drive | $223/month |
Seating | 5 seats |
Cargo Capacity All Seats In Place | 23.4 cu.ft. |
Drivetrain | rear wheel drive |
Warranty | 3 years / 36,000 miles |
Safety
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 RatedDriver4 / 5Passenger5 / 5
- Combined Side Barrier & Pole RatingsFront SeatNot RatedBack SeatNot Rated
- RolloverRolloverNot RatedDynamic 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 – OriginalAcceptable
- Moderate Overlap Front Test – UpdatedNot Tested
- Side Impact Test – OriginalNot Tested
- Side Impact Test – UpdatedNot Tested
- Roof Strength TestNot Tested
- Rear Crash Protection / Head RestraintNot Tested
Consider these recommendations
Related Used 2004 Suzuki Vitara info
Vehicle reviews of used models
- Used Hyundai Sonata Hybrid 2019
- Used Lexus CT 200H 2011
- Used Nissan GT-R 2012
- Used Audi Q5 2010
- Used Volvo V60 2020
Shop used vehicles in your area
- Used Suzuki Grand Vitara 2012 For Sale
- Used Suzuki Grand Vitara 2013 For Sale
- Used Suzuki Grand Vitara 2010
- Used Suzuki Grand Vitara 2011
Popular new car reviews and ratings
- 2024 Defender
- 2023 Enclave
- 2023 Toyota Venza
- MB C Class
- Mazda CX 50
- Ascent By Subaru
- Hummer Ev
- Volvo S60 Auto
- Nissan Sentra Car
- Jaguar FT Ype
Other models
- New Jeep Wrangler for Sale in Costa Mesa, CA
- New Volkswagen Jetta-Gli for Sale in Newbury Park, CA
- New BMW X7 for Sale in Hammond, LA
- Used Oldsmobile Bravada in Swiss, WV
- Used Hyundai Azera in Springfield Gardens, NY
- Used Pontiac Gto in Fort Worth, TX
- Used Chevrolet Spark-Ev in Orange Park, FL
- Used Ferrari Gtc4Lusso in Clifton, NJ
- Used Lincoln Aviator in Grandville, MI
- Used Infiniti G37-Convertible in Irmo, SC