Pajero iO or Suzuki Vitara

Jimw83

I cant really help two much. Much is based on what you intend using the vehicle for. Bush bashing, comuting, family travel etc.

Both are acceptable vehicles and the IO although it has not sold that well is apparently a good capable vehicle. They both work well off road and apart from the really serious stuff probably do the job. In some cases they work better than larger fourbees.

Comes down to comfort, what you can carry, how far you want to go, and intended use. There are others such As the Frontera, Renegade which should also be considered. Jusr remenber that a short wheelbase & firm suspension does not make for comfortable long distance touring though.

Some thorough research on the net and driving each will determine your ultimatevehicle of choice. Good luck

Since you see more Vitaras on the road than iOs I would imagine that there are more aftermarket accessories etc for the Suzuki.

The later version of the iO with the 2.0 would be better than the earler 1.8. Just understand that there is basically nothing available aftermarket for them if you want to get a bit more enthusiastic. A Suzuki Vitara or Grand Vitara would allow the vehicle to grow in capabilities as there is a lot more support for them ie. lockers(front & rear), rockhoppers(manual & auto Vitara & auto GV), diff ratios, suspension, snorkel, bodyllift(full chassis not monocoque like the iO) etc. The iO is fine for a vehicle that will only see mild tracks. The Vitara 5dr comes as a 1.6 4cyl and 2.0 V6 and the GV comes as a 2.0 4cyl & 2.5 V6 in the 5dr. Also the Suzuki's have sold in much larger numbers so parts from wreckers are also more readily available as well as the GV still being in production. For the money of an iO or GV you could have a really well setup Vitara.

I had 2 Grand Vitaras. the first was written off in an accident on the Oxley highway, wife was driving and we were sandwiched between 2 trucks but the passenger capsule staed intact and we both walked away... shaken & stirred. The second I traded on the T/D Jackeroo as I wanted to do some serious caravaning. The GV can tow 1800kg and used to pull our 15' poptop with ease. I found them incredibly capable on the rough, very comfortable to travel in and they had a high level of creature comforts. The only downside I found were genuine parts were very expensive and our local ( Canberra ) dealers were very clever at extracting every dollar they could at service time. Check out the underside... I liked the forged suspension components and full chassis.

I had a Grand Vitara and it went very well. I looked at the iO but it had no storage space compared to the GV and even it was marginal. The suzuki is very capable once you get rid of the original tyres. I had the v6 and was very impressed.
AK