2008 Suzuki Grand Vitara XSport
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* Tuesday: 9:00AM - 8:00PM
* Wednesday: 9:00AM - 8:00PM
* Thursday: 9:00AM - 8:00PM
* Friday: 9:00AM - 8:00PM
* Saturday: 9:00AM - 8:00PM
* Sunday: Closed
* Tuesday: 9:00AM - 8:00PM
* Wednesday: 9:00AM - 8:00PM
* Thursday: 9:00AM - 8:00PM
* Friday: 9:00AM - 8:00PM
* Saturday: 9:00AM - 8:00PM
* Sunday: Closed
| 1495 Gallatin Road North | Rivergate, TN 37115 |
| Nashville 's Goss Suzuki of Rivergate |
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2008 Suzuki Grand Vitara XSport
By: Rick Webster
www.windingroad.com
www.windingroad.com
We at 4X4Review are often typecast as 4-wheel drive purists - it's true. If we buy, drive or test a 4-wheel drive, it should be a real 4-wheel
drive. Not a warmed over trucklet with more bells than balls. A functional transfer case with a selectable low range and good gearing is at
the top of our "must have" list if you're going to have a stones to put a 4X4 badge on it. The '07 Grand Vitara XSport offers all of this and a
bit more, and you can still get change back from your $20,000 bill if you are careful with the options list.
Speaking of price, with a starting price of $19,899 Suzuki went bare knuckles, as usual, and undercut the Honda CR-V ($20,600), Toyota
RAV4 ($20,950), Kia Sorento ($20,695), and the Saturn Vue ($21,395). Just don't expect a lot of options at this price. You should also note
that upgrades rack up the price and the competitive gap disappears quickly.
Suzuki Grand Vitara Rear
Our 2007 Grand Vitara XSport rang in at $22,899, and in our opinion is still a phenomenal deal - especially with the transferable,
no-deductible, 100,000 mile warranty. But what do you really get for this price?
Our XSport came with then only motor offered, a 2.7 liter V6 delivering 185 hp and 184 lb-ft of torque. This 24 valve mill was anemic in the
mid-range and underpowered in the upper-rpm range, but offered enough torque for a great hole-shot. Our test rig also sported a 5-speed
automatic transmission, independent front suspension, a live multi-link rear axle, AWD and 4WD (with low range) transfer case, Electronic
Stability Program with traction control and a 6-disc in-dash CD changer with subwoofer. In our minds, nicely equipped with just the right mix
of bells and whistles, but not over done or gaudy.
Interior and Exterior
SX4 Crossover Driver Side Dashboard SX4 Crossover Driver Side Passenger Area
As soon as I saw the '07 Grand Vitara XSport in our parking lot, the defiantly agressive stance hit me like a ton of bricks. Previous Grand
Vitara models looked taller and stubbier giving them a less athletic posture. The '07 model scowles at you with sleek, aggressive headlights
and a squatty, hard line stance like a linebacker getting ready to pounce. The lines aren't as clean and sharp as we would have expected
though, instead they have been smoothed out - the entire exterior is smooth and flowing.
SX4 Crossover Console
Inside, our XSport didn't have too many amenities. Our XSport didn't come with leather or heated seats or a sun roof but not to worry, these
options are available in the pricier Grand Vitara Luxury edition. Despite their lack of leather the seats were extremely comfortable, even for
this 6'4" tester. The foot well was deep and wide, and the dead pedal was placed perfectly. This was one of the roomiest interiors I have
enjoyed in a very long time.
All controls are easily within reach and labeled perfectly. I never found myself wondering where a button, switch or control was - it was all
exactly where it should be.
SX4 Crossover Rear Cargo Area
The back seats offer less room than I would want if it were my truck, but more room than I expected. The rear headrests are adjustable -
thank goodness, because they catch shorter passengers at an odd angle if they are not adjusted upward. The flip and fold rear seats can be
operated with one hand and work perfectly, providing 24 cubic feet of room in which to stuff all sorts of goodies.
Off-Road Handling
SX4 Crossover 4 Wheeling
So, how did it handle off the beaten path? We were skeptical about its potential, given that there is only 7.9" of ground clearance and its
rather Yugo-like tires, so we didn't take it to a hard-core rock-garden for a thorough thrashing. Instead however, we chose a location with
some deep ruts, tight and twisty turns and some decent ascents and descents - something we felt, would be just beyond what the typical
crossover ute driver might take their rig through when heading to a camping spot.
drive. Not a warmed over trucklet with more bells than balls. A functional transfer case with a selectable low range and good gearing is at
the top of our "must have" list if you're going to have a stones to put a 4X4 badge on it. The '07 Grand Vitara XSport offers all of this and a
bit more, and you can still get change back from your $20,000 bill if you are careful with the options list.
Speaking of price, with a starting price of $19,899 Suzuki went bare knuckles, as usual, and undercut the Honda CR-V ($20,600), Toyota
RAV4 ($20,950), Kia Sorento ($20,695), and the Saturn Vue ($21,395). Just don't expect a lot of options at this price. You should also note
that upgrades rack up the price and the competitive gap disappears quickly.
Suzuki Grand Vitara Rear
Our 2007 Grand Vitara XSport rang in at $22,899, and in our opinion is still a phenomenal deal - especially with the transferable,
no-deductible, 100,000 mile warranty. But what do you really get for this price?
Our XSport came with then only motor offered, a 2.7 liter V6 delivering 185 hp and 184 lb-ft of torque. This 24 valve mill was anemic in the
mid-range and underpowered in the upper-rpm range, but offered enough torque for a great hole-shot. Our test rig also sported a 5-speed
automatic transmission, independent front suspension, a live multi-link rear axle, AWD and 4WD (with low range) transfer case, Electronic
Stability Program with traction control and a 6-disc in-dash CD changer with subwoofer. In our minds, nicely equipped with just the right mix
of bells and whistles, but not over done or gaudy.
Interior and Exterior
SX4 Crossover Driver Side Dashboard SX4 Crossover Driver Side Passenger Area
As soon as I saw the '07 Grand Vitara XSport in our parking lot, the defiantly agressive stance hit me like a ton of bricks. Previous Grand
Vitara models looked taller and stubbier giving them a less athletic posture. The '07 model scowles at you with sleek, aggressive headlights
and a squatty, hard line stance like a linebacker getting ready to pounce. The lines aren't as clean and sharp as we would have expected
though, instead they have been smoothed out - the entire exterior is smooth and flowing.
SX4 Crossover Console
Inside, our XSport didn't have too many amenities. Our XSport didn't come with leather or heated seats or a sun roof but not to worry, these
options are available in the pricier Grand Vitara Luxury edition. Despite their lack of leather the seats were extremely comfortable, even for
this 6'4" tester. The foot well was deep and wide, and the dead pedal was placed perfectly. This was one of the roomiest interiors I have
enjoyed in a very long time.
All controls are easily within reach and labeled perfectly. I never found myself wondering where a button, switch or control was - it was all
exactly where it should be.
SX4 Crossover Rear Cargo Area
The back seats offer less room than I would want if it were my truck, but more room than I expected. The rear headrests are adjustable -
thank goodness, because they catch shorter passengers at an odd angle if they are not adjusted upward. The flip and fold rear seats can be
operated with one hand and work perfectly, providing 24 cubic feet of room in which to stuff all sorts of goodies.
Off-Road Handling
SX4 Crossover 4 Wheeling
So, how did it handle off the beaten path? We were skeptical about its potential, given that there is only 7.9" of ground clearance and its
rather Yugo-like tires, so we didn't take it to a hard-core rock-garden for a thorough thrashing. Instead however, we chose a location with
some deep ruts, tight and twisty turns and some decent ascents and descents - something we felt, would be just beyond what the typical
crossover ute driver might take their rig through when heading to a camping spot.
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