Suzuki Grande Vitara- True 4x4 ???

Define "get us into the interior and out again". Are we talking bitumen only, dirt, sand dunes etc?

GV are very capable vehicles but a 1400kg camper maybe a little too big for it. Whilst the GV has a 1850kg towing capacity I think it cuts it a bit fine with 1400kg, especially hills etc.

They are very reliable and can return decent economy too.

We have the Grand Vitara Diesel. Haven't done a lot of towing but found it handled 1500kgs very well. Off road the only thing I would suggest is to fit at least all terrain tyres as I have found the standard highway tyres, whist I have not got stuck , feels not as good for traction as I would like.

Neil

I very nearly bought a GV last year to tow my Jayco Eagle Outback, but found out that the ball weight is 80 kilos, whereas the Jayco required 110 kilos. Bought a KIA Sorento TDI instead and very happy with it, but would have preferred the GV as its smaller and I think a bit better finished than the KIA. The KIA is a "dedicated 4x4" and I think the GV is also.

Recently decided that it was time to replace our faithful NM Pajero V6. Looked at all options.Tojo and Patrol too big. Love our old Paj but new TD too expensive. Liked the look of the TD Suzuki but for us the low ball weight ruled it out. Finally got out new Kia Sorento CRDi EXL six weeks ago. 2800kg towing capacity with 280kg ball weight. Great deals at present as new soft roader model sorento on the way. The finish is excellent, at least equal to the Suzi, great to drive, and tows our 1.6 tonne poptop van effortlessly. Using around 9.1l/110k mixed city/highway running. Our one trip with the van was onnly 400k so bit short to quote figyures but seems very economical towing, especially after v6 petrol pajero
Have a look at the Sorento, you wont be "sorrie" you did.

cheers
Alan

I bought a Suzuki Grande Vitara in 06 and found out to my horror that whereas the previous model had a 100Kg ball weight my model had been downgraded to either 80 or 90kg sorry cant quite remember. I do remember that I had intended to purchase a small Coromal side door to tow around and ended up only able to buy the rear door Coromal 401. I did have a lot of fun with it and it gave us quite an insight into what we really wanted in a van.

The Suzi itself is a true 4WD with high and low range but dragged its belly on really soft sand on the beach and anywhere else there where ruts come to that. Otherwise it was a great little performer, economical, comfortable and very reliable. Sad to see it go but we too are planning the Big Trip next year and it just wasnt going to be able to do what we want. Still it gets to go on its own "big trip" as the person that bought it intends to tow it behind his bus.

Cheers
Sue

Jeep Rubicon Wrangler & Coromal Pioneer Corvair.

Hi,
The bride and i had a GV xl7 2.7ltr for a number of years. took it everywhere the bigger 4wds went and surprised a lot of people with it.

I put a 1 inch lift with spring spacers, it got the underbelly off the ground a bit and did the job nicely.

Could it go around the block, yes

Could it tow anything other than a 6x4 box trailer, no

We had a H/D tow bar on it and the down ball weight was the killer. the plate on the tow bar says 140kg and the cars limit says 80kg.

This is the only reason we got rid of it, as we want to get a Jayco outback camper. a good deal came up and we got the patrol..

Thanks to all for the replys, i didnt realise the ball weight was so low and that will be a problem as the camper already comes in at 132 kg. So it looks like the Suzi is off the list. I will have to do more research.