2006 Suzuki Grand Vitara Review (continued)
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Summary

The Suzuki Grand Vitara is a solid choice among compact SUVs. It's particularly suitable for someone who wants some off-road capability or needs a vehicle to hook up behind a 36-foot motor home. It's smooth enough to take you to dinner at the fancy restaurant down town. Yet it's rugged enough to include a low gear and locking differential for tackling rugged trails and unimproved roads.

New Car Test Drive correspondent John Rettie filed this report from somewhere north of Vancouver, British Columbia.

(Source: New Cars Test Drive)

Model Line Overview

Model Lineup:	Suzuki Grand Vitara 2WD Manual ($18,999); 2WD Automatic ($19,999); XSport 2WD Automatic ($21,099); Luxury 2WD Automatic ($22,999); 4WD Manual ($20,199); 4WD Automatic ($21,199); XSport 4WD Automatic ($22,499); Luxury 4WD Automatic ($24,399)
Engines:	2.7-liter dohc 24-valve V6
Transmissions:	5-speed automatic
Saftey Equipment (standard):	electronic stability control, ABS, EBD, traction control, frontal airbags, side-impact airbags, curtain airbags
Saftey Equipment (optional):	none
Basic Warranty:	3 years/36,000 miles
Assembled In:	Japan

Specifications As Tested

Model Tested (MSRP):	Suzuki Grand Vitara Luxury 4WD automatic ($24,399)
Standard Equipment:	automatic air conditioning, leather seating, power windows, power locks, power door mirrors, SmartPass keyless entry and start system, HomeLink wireless control, cruise control, digital clock with outside temperature and fuel consumption indicators, AM/FM/CD6/MP3/WMA, XM Satellite Radio-ready, privacy glass, 17-inch alloy wheels
Options As Tested (MSRP):	none
Destination Charge:	595
Gas Guzzler Tax:
Price As Tested (MSRP):	24994
Layout:	four-wheel drive
Horsepower (hp @ rpm):	185 @ 6000
Torque (lb.-ft. @ rpm):	184 @ 4500
Transmission:	5-speed automatic
EPA fuel economy, city/hwy:	19/23
Wheelbase:	103.9
Length/width/height:	176.0/71.3/66.7
Track, f/r:	60.6/60.6
Turning circle:	36.0
Seating capacity:	5
Head/hip/leg room, f:	40.0/55.5/41.3
Head/hip/leg room, m:
Head/hip/leg room, r:	38.2/44.0/37.2
Cargo volume:	67.3
Payload:
Towing capacity:	3000
Suspension, f:	independent, MacPherson struts, coil springs, stabilizer bar
Suspension, r:	independent, multi-link with coil springs, stabilizer bar
Ground clearance:	7.9
Curb weight:	3682
Tires:	P225/65R17
Brakes, f/r:	disc/disc with ABS, EBD
Fuel capacity:	17.4