Plenty of cargo space. Good gas milage.

It stalls/dies with out warning. Has deveolped a sqeak/rattling in the engine compartment.

I thought that this was a wonderful deal when we first purchased this vehicle. The, after a few months, it began stalling when approaching a stop (it is a 5 speed manual transmission). There is no warning or pre-anything that lets us know that is going to stall! It just flat dies, the steering goes stiff and the rpm's fall off to zero. It's as quite as a church mouse when it does this. No sputtering no anything. Just plain old dead in the water, so to speak. The dealer says that they are unable to find any problem with the car. It figures, since it is an intermittent problem, that it won't fail when they decide to take it for a spin.

I love the size. I love the Looks. I love driving it.

Timing chain and Suzuki corporate office

I have had my Suzuki for 1 year and 5 mos. I have loved my Suzuki for it's size it's dependabilty, the way it handles, and the way it looks. I have had two friends buy the same vehicle because they liked mine so much. I have only put around 10,000 miles on it in the time I have owned it. It only had one previous owner. At 44,000 miles I began hearing a rattling sound, I brought it to a Suzuki dealer who first asked me the milage then told me it was the timing chain tensioner and it would cost me $800.00+ to fix it. I called the dealer where I got the car to see if it was still under thier warrenty but that had already run out, however the machanic there said that to have a timing chain go at such a low milage that would be a problem that Suzuki should take care of, that was a manufactures problem. He advised me to take it for a second opinion. So I did and that machanic said that it definately does sound like the timing chain and that this was definately a manufactures problem and that I should call the corporate office. So I did although all that got me was grief they tried to tell me that my car was the only one they had heard of with this problem and that I would need to show them proof of all maintenance that had been done on this car since it was new. I told them I bought this car second hand and that my husband had done the oil changes from the time we purchased it there for we had no recipts. Thier reply was with no recipts they could not help me. I have since discovered that my car is far from being the first to have this problem and that Suzuki is getting away with this. I personally am planing on trading in my car for a Ford and will never buy a Suzuki again. I have tried to get help in making Suzuki take responsiblity for this problem but have reached a dead end I still owe 9,000.00 on this vehicle so I am taking a big loss. I hope someone out there can make them take responsibility for this. There are too many people spending thier hard earned money on this problem.

NONE!

Cargo space is small, No leg room, Poor gas mileage, Mechanical problems

A PIECE OF JUNK!!!!! We bought our Vitara when our Pontiac Grand Prix died (180,000+ miles). It had 28000 miles on it when we purchased it. It now has 67000 miles. At 44000 miles, the timing chain started rattling. One time to a Suzuki dealer for repairs cost $600+. Two months later, it starts rattling AGAIN, cost $1,300+. We just thought it was over. 9 months later, another rattle. This time it was the pulley. It wasn't just loose, it was WORN OUT. This vehicle was a LEMON from the beginning and I will NOT buy another Suzuki EVER again!!!

Solid built, great fit and finish, ladder frame, quietness, V6 power, low range transfer case (for 4 WD off road), timing chain, liquid fill engine mount, and great price.

Small interior, poor mileage per gallon, low resale value

I have owned this SUV for over 4 years now, with over 65,000 on the odo and still running strong. Mechanically perfect, the only fix it needed was adjust the fuel door, repair the side molding seal, and replace the ignition key slot. The GV runs very strong and quiet (much quieter than CRV), corners well, and is built on top of ladder frame body and therefore very solid structurally for off road use (and safer in collisions), plus liquid filled engine mount, has engine compartment braces for strength, and timing chain for low maintenance etc... many good qualities. The back seat is too small though, and the fuel economy is not good.

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Good Features that are standard.

Gas Mileage Many problems with side moldings, had it redone 4 times. Brakes aren't too dependable in wet weather

My husband and I both owned a Grand Vitara and in the summer they were great....in the winter I was totally terrified. If you got into a terrible road situation, the 4 wheel drive was great, but on a normal, just bad road....it was not a good thing!! I don't know if the weight distribution wasn't right or what. Although we had not a problem at all with the Vitara, it just wasn't what we thought it would be. My husband drove the XL-7 and thought it might be better but didn't take the chance. If you don't have bad winters and want a fun, small SUV...go for it! It has many standard features that are good.

I Can't think of any that really stands out

AC is not very efficient, Interior is not laid out very well, Engine problems, Tire problems

When I bought this car new it seemed like a great deal. It was a good car for my wife to drive to work, and has a good 4WD drive for getting to my favorite hiking and fishing spots in the mountains on weekends However after around $5000 later in mechanical work and tires I would say this was a big mistake. My first problem was with the tires. The tread would develop deep cuts, and hunks of tire would fall off if I took it on rocky roads. I would have just bought better tires except there aren't any made that will fit the rims for this car (I am on my third set of tires in 3 years). The next major problem was with the timing chain. When we bought this car we were told the engine had a maintenance free timing chain, and would never have to be replaced or adjusted. Well after 36,000 miles it just cost me $1300 to get it fixed. This is not covered by Suzuki's new car warranty. A few minutes of WEB searches showed this was a fairly common problem. My advice is if you are never going to put over 35,000 miles on this car and never take it off of smooth pavement then you might get lucky and not have any problems, otherwise do yourself a favor and buy something else.

cargo space, looks, power, handles like a dream no tune ups for 100,000 miles

stock tires window motors makes noise

bought vehicle new , we love the way it handles ,goes in snow good ;anti lock brakes are great. we get 20 miles per gallon.it has enough power if you want more you have to run it harder, stereo sounds great, love the day time run lights,great cargo space

* 4x4 climbs like a mountain goat. * Steel ladder frame. * Nice interior & stereo system. * Dependable.

* Poor Gas Mileage. * Needs more Horse Power. * Needs more interior lighting & glove Box light. * Not so good gas mileage. * No resale value, expect 50% depreciaton first year if bought new. * No mileage warranty on tires per Brigestone 1-800 number and local dealers. * Tires are gone at 12,000 miles. * Plastics in interior scratch too easily.

I traded in my 2002 XL-7 Touring 2-wheel drive for a new 2003 XL-7 Limited 4x4. I just had to have the new updated interior. It is really nice. Good fit & finish, looks expensive. Still no glove box light. Passport Suzuki in Plano Texas is still the best when it comes to Suzuki. They are the best group of people to do business with that I have ever encountered. The Bridgestone tires wore out at 12,000 miles and I was told by a local Bridgestone/Firestone dealer that they manufacture the tires very cheap for Suzuki and there is no mileage warranty at all on them. I called the Bridgestone 1-800 number and they confirmed this. My warranty booklet states 24 months or 24,000 miles. I guess Bridgestone doesn't remember printing this material. Very poor trade-in value.

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This is my 3rd Suzuki.

Engine has a 500,000 mile rated timing chain system that should never need replaced....enough power for the vihicle at any rate....Asthetically pleasing interior...nice handling...easy on gas for a 4X4...great stereo...great climate control system...heated mirrors..rear defrost/wiper...etc....etc...

I can only compare this vehicle to other small foreign vehicles I have driven, and it is one of the best....

I really like it... I traded in a Chevy Silverado 1500 extended cab for better gas mileage, and a smaller vehicle to commute in..So far I am very pleased with the vehicle.. I test drove the other compact SUV's and chose the Suzuki not only for the better financing, and great trade in, but also for the best warrantee, and features. V-6 is better, and gets about the same as the others V-4. You can select 4X4 when you want it.. The only one it seams you can do that in.... The ride isn't bad....the gas mileage is excellent....the stereo from clarion sounds great, and has a built in adjustable gain subwoofer under the driver's seat...the engineering, and design seems exceptional, and everything in the interior, and exterior is new, and fine, with a very nice new car smell......I can't see how you couldn't like one, although small, and I don't have a family, but I certainly can say it is one of the smartest, most practical vehicles I ever purchased......

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Hi, this is not a review but more of a solicitation of views. I have test drove the Suzuki Grand Vitara XL 7 and is still undecided about the car. Is there anyone out there who already owns one and can tell me about the strengths & weaknesses of the car please. Thank you

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