Comparison between Grand Vitara & Rav 4 ?

Submitted: Sunday, Aug 21, 2005 at 19:41

ThreadID: 25773 Views:10821 Replies:7 FollowUps:17

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Beddo

What is the best between these 2 small toys. I know the Suzuki has low range. But in terms of reliability - does anyone know how these two compare. Just want a commuter with the odd venture off road - no hard core stuff, maybe sand on Fraser Is, once in a blue moon etc. Looking at around 2001 models.

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Reply By: Jimbo - Sunday, Aug 21, 2005 at 19:51

Sunday, Aug 21, 2005 at 19:51

Beddo,

I can't comment on the Rav but I did hire a Vitara a few years back and can ensure you it is not a "toy". It's genuine, tough, little 4wd.

For what you are looking at doing the Vitara will eat it. It'll also do a lot more if you want it to. With a bit of lift and decent tyres it will surprise you.

Cheers,

Jim.

AnswerID: 126206

Reply By: Member - Trevor R (QLD) - Sunday, Aug 21, 2005 at 19:58

Sunday, Aug 21, 2005 at 19:58

Beddo,

My sister has an 02 or 03 XL7 Vitara with just over 100 000km. She loves it and has had nothing go wrong with it, like you she just does the occasional run up the Noosa Nth Shore and the rest of the time is carting 5 boys (14 to 6 yrs) around town. There is however no spare room for gear with all her boys in the car. Rooftop pod is high on her wish list.
So as far as she is concerned, go for the suzi.

AnswerID: 126208

Reply By: Truckster (Vic) - Sunday, Aug 21, 2005 at 20:18

Sunday, Aug 21, 2005 at 20:18

The Zook is designed to go offroad. Tons of cheap accessories and spares around for them.

the Rav4 is designed like Xtrails etc to go for Latte's

AnswerID: 126213

Follow Up By: Jimbo - Sunday, Aug 21, 2005 at 21:32

Sunday, Aug 21, 2005 at 21:32

Ah, the old Latte.

Why would you drink Coffee out of a glass when you can have a cup with a handle.

I always thought a glass was for drinking cold beverages from. Best suited to a beer.

Fashion statement I suppose.

Anyway, I prefer a cup of tea.

FollowupID: 380870

Follow Up By: Truckster (Vic) - Sunday, Aug 21, 2005 at 21:53

Sunday, Aug 21, 2005 at 21:53

we need a night out soon, Captain Americas is the next one!

Their Bugers are that big, they are held up with Kebab Skewers.. :)
Ferntree Gully..

FollowupID: 380874

Follow Up By: Mad Dog (Australia) - Sunday, Aug 21, 2005 at 22:13

Sunday, Aug 21, 2005 at 22:13

Will be interesting to see what the new model is like. Rumour has it that it's losing the seperate chassis, will be full time 4wd, independent rear suspension and the biggest killer is that it may not have low range...oh me oh my...

FollowupID: 380878

Follow Up By: Jimbo - Sunday, Aug 21, 2005 at 22:42

Sunday, Aug 21, 2005 at 22:42

Ray,

"oh me, oh my"

60/70's cartoon character. Who was it? I've got a recollection some depressed dog character. Was it on the same show as Snagglepuss?

Cheers,

Jim.

FollowupID: 380880

Follow Up By: Mad Dog (Australia) - Monday, Aug 22, 2005 at 09:18

Monday, Aug 22, 2005 at 09:18

I can't remember Jim although I do have a vague recollection of some cartoon character saying it. The only thing I remember from Snagglepus is "exit stage right"...who can forget that.

FollowupID: 380899

Reply By: garrycol - Monday, Aug 22, 2005 at 10:13

Monday, Aug 22, 2005 at 10:13

Out of the 2 you listed I would always go the Vitara - but then for what you are looking to do a 2001 Freelander TD4 would certainly be better than the RAV and not far behind the Suzuki - but heaps better fuel consumption.

Gazzz

AnswerID: 126262

Follow Up By: GaryInOz (Vic) - Monday, Aug 22, 2005 at 17:54

Monday, Aug 22, 2005 at 17:54

...........apart from the engine that has a few known problems, and the lack of clearance, poor aftermarket, lousy resale, "Prince of Darkeness" electricals, etc...

FollowupID: 380950

Follow Up By: stevesub - Monday, Aug 22, 2005 at 17:58

Monday, Aug 22, 2005 at 17:58

Freelander - best of British Un-reliability. We should know, we have one and it will very likely be replaced by a Suzuki Vitara next year.

Stevesub

PS Also have a Troopy so all is not lost.

FollowupID: 380951

Follow Up By: garrycol - Monday, Aug 22, 2005 at 20:23

Monday, Aug 22, 2005 at 20:23

Here we go, people who clearly know nothing about a TD4 commenting about Landrover stereotypes rather the the strengths or otherwise of the specifc model - the TD4 has no problems that are consistent with design issues, a standard TD4 has better ground clearance than a Vitara (I know because my Freelander parks next to a Vitara witha lift kit and I have more clearance) - cannot speak about a RAV but looks about the same, sorry a TD4 does not have poor resale value - in fact most Freelanders are actually pretty good (exceptions are 3 doors) - see how many TD4s there are under $25K, the TD4 has few of the electrical problems that have afflicted other cars.

So GaryInOz - you have first hand knowledge of a TD4 to be in a position to make your comments or have you picked up the views of other people who wouldn't know a TD4 from Di or an XEi, or an L series. Or do you just see the name Landrover and believe the crap of people who have never owned one!

Stevesub - I am assuming you have a 1.8i and if so I feel sorry for you it is not a TD4 though. I have had Suzukis and they are a great car -if I wanted a small, capable 4wd it would be the Vitara - but a TD4 with low range, if one ever existed, would be the pick.

Facts boys - lets stay with the facts not bulls*&t

FollowupID: 380975

Follow Up By: Dave B - Monday, Aug 22, 2005 at 21:59

Monday, Aug 22, 2005 at 21:59

I had 1998 TD4(new) and unless you want to throw away thousands of $$$$, don't buy a Freelander. They are crap.

FollowupID: 380993

Follow Up By: garrycol - Monday, Aug 22, 2005 at 23:44

Monday, Aug 22, 2005 at 23:44

Dave B it is a bit hard to have 98 TD4 since the TD4 was not released until after 2000. If you had a 98 and it was a diesel it was fitted with a L series engine - completely different engine and gearbox - you would have had either an XEDi or a Di. The TD4 is a BMW engine and so is the gearbox.

As I said lets get our facts right.

FollowupID: 381006

Follow Up By: Dave B - Tuesday, Aug 23, 2005 at 18:01

Tuesday, Aug 23, 2005 at 18:01

Sorry, should have said XEDi however it was still the worse vehicle we have ever had.

FollowupID: 381096

Reply By: Beddo - Monday, Aug 22, 2005 at 20:24

Monday, Aug 22, 2005 at 20:24

Thanks for all that, Suzuki is the go. The comment on the Freelander - well I was reading an article in a Landrover magazine & they were wondering why sales were not good in Australia for the Range Rovers etc. They said sales were dropping. Maybe they should go and produce a vehicle that will be the public back on side - to do that they will have to over engineer it and have a basic vehicle without all those pansy electric windows, self leveling suspension etc aswell as a cabin that you can close the door without breaking your arm.

AnswerID: 126348

Follow Up By: garrycol - Monday, Aug 22, 2005 at 23:50

Monday, Aug 22, 2005 at 23:50

I think you are making the right decision as the Grand Vitara is a great car and very capable. However make you decision based on advice from people who have actually used the cars not from those who often rabbit on based on information tenth removed from reality.

FollowupID: 381007

Follow Up By: Gerhardp1 - Tuesday, Aug 23, 2005 at 12:00

Tuesday, Aug 23, 2005 at 12:00

So you are saying that you have to have owned a TATA before you can reject it?

I haven't owned one and wouldn't buy one.

I haven't owned a Landrover either and also wouldn't buy one.

I haven't owned a Suzuki Grand Vitara or a RAV4 either but I would buy a Suzuki.

FollowupID: 381056

Reply By: stevesub - Monday, Aug 22, 2005 at 20:38

Monday, Aug 22, 2005 at 20:38

Our Freelander is a V6 and yes, it has its problems and a lot are in common with the TD4 eg windows failing, sunroof failing, oil leaks from the transmission (IRD and rear diff), gearboxes failing, front lower suspension arms designed to cut the rubber boots on the ball joints, fuel gauge problems, park sensors not working, etc, etc. I know of TD4s that have had all of these problems as we have with the V6.

The V6 does also have a heap of extra problems though, mainly in the engine area.

The traction control also has its limitations, especially on soft sand. We should know, we have used ours offroad probably more than we should have. See our web site at http://steveandchris.netfirms.com to see some of what we have done - BUT a Suzuki would have done more than the Freelander with the low range and no traction control.

Just looked at the Suzuki and Landrover web sites. The Suzuki Grand Vitara has 200mm clearance, the TD4 Freelander 186mm.

Stevesub

AnswerID: 126350

Follow Up By: garrycol - Tuesday, Aug 23, 2005 at 00:07

Tuesday, Aug 23, 2005 at 00:07

Now this sort of critique - I can accept as it is someones first hand experience not someone who read something somewhere. I guess I am lucky not to have any of the problems you have had Stevesub - but my ownership hasn't been comletey trouble free.

As a 'softroader', the Freelander is more capable than the X-Trail, Rav 4 etc and these are all vehices that do what they designed for very well. Yes Traction control does have its limitations but in situations that would have already stopped most other softroaders - the Vitara is not a softroader it is a full on 4wd that within its load carrying capabilites is as good as most 4wd vehicles. It is always going to perfrom better. But I think Suzuki is the only company making full on 4wds but their sales are suffering because of it.

Clearance - I am sure you are right but when parked side by side and looking under the cars there doesn't seem much in it and that is with a Grand Vitara with a lift kit - I just checked my handbook - it says 220mm for the Freelander.

FollowupID: 381011

Follow Up By: stevesub - Tuesday, Aug 23, 2005 at 09:23

Tuesday, Aug 23, 2005 at 09:23

220mm is the body to ground clearance, 186mm is the crossmember to ground clearance which is the lowest point and the part that drags the most on the ground when offroading - been there done that.

We really do love the Freelander and have probably more fun in it than any other vehicle we have owned, just the wallet is having a hard time keeping up so it will have to go soon.

But look at our web site - admittedly dated - to see hwat you can do in a Freelander, we have pushed it to its limits and it has performed. However we are now enjoying pushing the Troopy to far higher limits now and the Freelander has reverted to our Town Car.

As for the Suzuki, it is number one on our shopping list next year.

Stevesub

FollowupID: 381027

Follow Up By: garrycol - Tuesday, Aug 23, 2005 at 10:46

Tuesday, Aug 23, 2005 at 10:46

Nice website - it is good to see softroaders being used offroad. I have had mine doing similar things in the mountains west of Canberra but only after a recce first in my Discovery. The lack of low range and the ground clearance are the main issues but it performs well in high range situations.

But like you and as I said in my first response to the original post that started this thread - the Suzuki would still be the pick - but between a Vitara or an X-Trail or a CRV I would always pick a Freelander (not a 1.8 though). My car is a high milage car - 190,000km and with the exception of a one off mechanical breakdown - I have never had any of the problems that you have highlighted - CV boots OK - no Prince of Darkness Stuff, old L series engine runs great - 36mpg around town - 42 on the highway. I find the car cheap to run but I am able to do all my own maintenance and serviceing.

As I said - nice website.

Gazzz

FollowupID: 381045

Reply By: Member - Stephen M (NSW) - Monday, Aug 22, 2005 at 21:54

Monday, Aug 22, 2005 at 21:54

Hi there Beddo go the suzuki, I'v had both rav first then an 02 vitara Both were 2 litre both manual.Both great cars didn't have any trouble with either of them mechanicaly. For going accross the sand dunes (stockton beach nsw) not a problem with either of them,light tracks the rav fine come to the first steep incline/decent (in the scrub) thats a bit rough (the type you need to ride the brakes as well as in first gear thats when the suzuki takes over hit L/Range and walk down/ up not as much kickback on the steering in the suzuk compared to rav.But for what you say your going to use it for mate go for either.I think the suzuk had more comfy seats than the rav but thats personal opinion as every one sits differently.I found more room in suzuk.DONT touch the XTrail (Nissan) in auto if you want to use in sand.The auto get too hot in these things and revert back to 2wd till tranny cools down Common problem with them,great for when your trying to get off the sand to head back to home.For what you say you want do I think pretty much any of the all wheel drives will serve your purpose.Hope I havn't confused you to much but what ever you choose good luck.Just a tip when looking for one check underneath for any off road damage dent scrapes Vitaras especially the fuel tank as they are proned to get belted up if they dont have a guard on them. My'n had one standard was an option on the earlier models even with the JLX Take Care Have Fun Steve M

AnswerID: 126363