2001SuzukiGrand VitaraSuzuki Grand Vitara2001 Suzuki Grand Vitara JLS+ 2WDMini-Sport UtilityWagonRWDIwata, JapanStandard Grand Vitaras get redesigned front and rear bumpers and a restyled grille. New interior features include a larger double-DIN AM/FM stereo with an in-dash CD player, adjustable front seat armrests, redesigned head restraints, child seat-tether hooks, and a new seat fabric. Top-of-the-line Grand Vitara Limiteds also get the improved stereo along with a tilt-and-slide power sunroof and new aluminum wheels.Standard V6, distinctive looks, low-range transfer case on 4x4 models.Harsh suspension, unimpressive brakes, cramped rear seats, lack of cargo space.With a title that sounds more like a sprawling Spanish estate than a mini-SUV, the Grand Vitara is Suzuki's top-of-the-line entrant into the rapidly growing mini-ute segment. Based on the four-door Vitara, the Grand Vitara is aimed at customers looking for a mini-SUV that includes all the amenities usually reserved for sport-utes in the more expensive midsize class. An extensive list of standard features comes with every Grand Vitara, the only options consisting of a four-speed automatic transmission and four-wheel drive. There are three different trim levels: base JLS, JLS+, and top-of-the-line Limited. The JLS includes air conditioning, power windows and door locks, cruise control, remote keyless entry, tilt steering, premium AM/FM stereo, and comfy front bucket seats. Step up to the JLS+ and you're rewarded with four-wheel ABS, an in-dash CD player, and newly styled 16-inch alloy wheels. The Grand Vitara Limited builds upon this impressive list of features with a standard four-speed automatic, leather seating, deep-tinted glass, and a monochrome paint scheme. All Grand Vitaras come with a V6 engine rated at 155 horsepower and 160 ft-lbs. of torque. Although this may have been a class-leading engine a couple years ago, the mini-ute segment has spawned gutsy new entries in the form of the Nissan Xterra and Ford Escape/Mazda Tribute twins. Packing 170-horsepower and 200-horsepower V6s respectively, these new competitors make the Grand Vitara's powerplant seem average at best. The Suzuki's suspension is an advanced MacPherson strut design up front and a five-link coil-spring design in back that delivers a controlled ride off-road, but we consider it a little harsh on the highway. Suzuki's top sport-ute does offer a low-range transfer case and bulletproof body-on-frame construction for traction and durability, but without a strong source of motivation, it's hard to consider the Grand Vitara a formidable off-road machine. Add that to its lack of rear seat room and minute amount of cargo space and you begin to see why the Grand Vitara pales in comparison to its more modern colleagues. Of course, most mini-ute buyers aren't looking for a Baja racer or wannabe Suburban anyway, leaving the Grand Vitara, with its extensive standard feature list and competitive price, a relevant competitor even amongst more powerful competition. Chevrolet TrackerFord EscapeMazda TributeSubaru Forester336,000336,000Not AvailableNot Available3UnlimitedNANANA62.5 litersV6155 hp @ 6500 rpm160 ft-lbs. @ 4000 rpm45 cu.ft.926 lbs.1500 lbs.164.5 in.70.1 in.67.8 in.3064 lbs.97.6 in.34.8 ft.7.5 in.39.9 in.39.6 in.NANANANA41.4 in.35.9 in.5StandardStandardNot AvailableNot AvailableNot AvailableNot AvailableNot AvailableRating = Not TestedRating = Not TestedNot TestedNot TestedNot TestedNot Tested17.4 gal.19 mpg / 22 mpg19 mpg / 21 mpg331 mi. / 383 mi.331 mi. / 365 mi.Insurance costs can vary greatly for this vehicle, depending on such factors as driver age, driver gender, teenage drivers in the household, driving records, theft loss data for your particular geographic region, miles driven per year, and other widely variable factors. Additionally, some companies charge a premium for certain makes and models, while others do not.$18,031$19,5997.35%$480N/A3% of the Base MSRPJLS 2WD (5M): 2.5L V6 DOHC MPI 24-valve engine; 5-speed OD manual transmission; 600 amp battery; 80 amp alternator; rear-wheel drive, 4.3 axle ratio; stainless steel exhaust; front independent strut suspension with anti-roll bar, front coil springs, rigid rear axle multi-link suspension with rear coil springs; power rack-and-pinion steering; front disc/rear drum brakes; 17.4 gal. capacity fuel tank; skid plate(s), side impact bars; conventional rear cargo door; roof rack, 45.4; front and rear body-colored bumpers with front and rear tow hooks, rear step bumper; body-colored bodyside cladding, rocker panel extensions, body-colored fender flares; clearcoat monotone paint; aero-composite halogen auto on headlamps with daytime running lights; driver's and passenger's power remote body-colored folding outside mirrors; 16" x 7" silver styled steel wheels; P235/60SR16 BSW A/S tires; full-size steel spare wheel; air conditioning, air filter, rear heat ducts; premium AM/FM stereo radio, clock,seek-scan, single CD player, 4 speakers, manual retractable antenna; cruise control; power door locks, remote keyless entry, child safety rear door locks, remote fuel release; 2 power accessory outlets, front lighter element(s), driver's foot rest, smokers' package; instrumentation display includes tachometer, water temperature gauge, trip odometer; warning indicators include oil pressure, water temp, battery, key in ignition, low fuel, door ajar; driver's and passenger's front airbags; tinted windows, power front and rear windows with driver's 1-touch down, fixed 1/4 vent windows; variable intermittent front windshield wipers, rear window wiper, rear window defroster; seating capacity of 5, front bucket seats with adjustable headrests, center armrest, driver's and passenger's seats include 4-way adjustment; 50/50 folding rear split-bench seat with adjustable headrests; front height adjustable seatbelts; cloth seats, cloth door trim insert, full cloth headliner, full carpet floorcovering with carpeted floor mats; interior lights include dome light, front reading lights, illuminated entry; steering wheel with tilt adjustment; vanity mirrors, dual auxiliary visors; day/night rearview mirror; full floor console, locking glove box, front cupholder, instrument panel bin, 2 seat back storage pockets, driver's and passenger's door bins, rear door bins, front underseat tray; carpeted cargo floor, cargo cover, cargo tie downs, cargo light; grille with chrome bar, black side window moldings, black front windshield molding, black rear window molding and black door handles.
JLS+ 2WD (5M) (in addition to or instead of JLS 2WD (5M) equipment): Front disc/rear drum brakes with 4-wheel antilock brakes; cassette and deep tinted windows.
LIMITED 2WD (4A) (in addition to or instead of JLX+ 4WD (5M) equipment): Driver's selectable multi-mode 4-speed electronic OD automatic transmission with lock-up torque converter; 4.88 axle ratio; front power sliding and tilting glass sunroof with sunshade; clearcoat monotone paint with bodyside accent gold trim; additional exterior lights include front fog/driving lights; leather seats and leatherette door trim insert.
4WD (in addition to or instead of 2WD equipment): Part-time 4 wheel drive, auto locking hub control and manual shift.
NOTE: JLX Models include both JLS equipment and 4WD equipment listed above.