Huntsville, ON. — Fuel economy is king right now for a lot of buyers on the market for a new vehicle – that much is obvious.
As such, automakers are constantly seeking to improve fuel economy any way they can – by using technology like variable valve timing and cylinder deactivation, or going so far as to adjust gear ratios and recalibrate gas pedals.
That’s all fine and dandy, but, wouldn’t it make sense to just start using smaller engines?
In an industry where bigger is still usually seen as better, Suzuki has done just that, adding a brand new four-cylinder engine to its five-seat Grand Vitara SUV for 2009. The Grand Vitara previously only came equipped with a V6, and though that engine is still available for ’09, a recent Grand Vitara preview event focused most of the attention on the four-cylinder model. For good reason, too.
Suzuki says that in a matter of a few months, the trend for SUV purchases has been shifting from six-cylinder models to four-cylinder models when the choice for both is available. Not wanting to be left in the dust of these customers running away from V6 versions, Suzuki did the most logical thing by adding the aforementioned four-cylinder Grand Vitara to its lineup.
Suzuki didn’t just plop any old engine under the hood though. The 2.4-litre inline-four is peppy, fuel-efficient and more than happy to help the Grand Vitara take on the challenge of off-road terrain (more on that in a moment).
The new engine can be mated to either a five-speed manual transmission (standard) or a four-speed automatic (optional). It would be nice to have an extra gear on the auto, but the four-speed does its job well enough, with few surprises. The vehicle tends to rev very slowly unless you really punch the throttle; if you need to pass a vehicle or merge onto an entrance ramp, don’t waste your time with subtlety.
For anyone who’s driven the ’08 Grand Vitara, one thing that’s instantly noticeable in the ’09 model is the improvement in noise, vibration and harshness. The cabin is very quiet thanks to thicker glass as well as more underhood insulation, which reduces engine noise. Four-cylinder engines tend to whine when pushed to their limits but you’ll barely notice any fussing coming from under the Grand Vitara hood.
The vehicle is built on a ladder frame, helping its cause as an above-average offroader, no matter what is being used to power it. The Grand Vitara also has a four-mode 4WD system that can be switched at any time depending on the situation at hand. Journalists had the chance to take the SUV through an offroad course that was previously used – and very abused – by Hummer H1s. Locking it in 4-Low, the Grand Vitara moved through or across all manner of mud, deep puddles and medium-sized boulders with barely a moment’s hesitation.
Engine and transmission components are located above the front sub-frame to help protect them in offroad situations, and the vehicle has a generous 7.9 inches of ground clearance. And for anyone who also needs an SUV that can tow a small boat or trailer, the Grand Vitara easily beats out almost every competitor in terms of towing capacity – both the four-cylinder and six-cylinder model can tow up to 3,000 lbs.
Other changes from 2008 to 2009 include a larger front grille and front bumper, while an extendable sun visor, sliding armrest and information display integrated into the dash make for a more comfortable, convenient experience while driving. The front seats are roomy and comfortable, and even the second row seats recline. The vehicle is slightly longer and taller but otherwise dimensions stay the same.
Visually, the Grand Vitara doesn’t stand out from the crowd of SUVs in which it sits, but just like your mother surely used to tell you, it’s what’s inside that counts. More choice can only be a good thing, so Suzuki’s addition of a new engine is nothing if not commendable.
And it just goes to show bigger really isn’t always better.
