2006 4x4 of the Year

Suzuki Grand Vitara
Our competition is always tough on the least expensive entry in the test. On one hand our judges were amazed at what Suzuki gives you in a $25,000 Grand Vitara, but on the other hand we always knew which vehicle was going to be the underdog in each category.

Though mechanically impressive, the small 2.7L V-6 needs at least another liter of displacement or a turbocharger to compete at this level. Power-to-weight ratio is still more important in a 4x4 than fuel economy. The five-speed automatic transmission was a nice touch, but our judges complained about not being able to select Second gear with the shifter. Realistically this vehicle should come standard with a manual transmission.

Sitting in the Grand Vitara the interior feels much higher-end than the sticker price would suggest. The dash is very well laid out and would look at home in an SUV costing thousands more. Nissan and Hummer could learn some things here. The most remarkable feature was the proximity key that allows the driver to unlock and start the Grand Vitara without taking the key fob out of their pocket. Not all of the judges were comfortable with it, but it was neat.

Dynamically the Grand Vitara was at its best during our drive out of the city. The steering has a moderate feel, visibility is second only to a motorcycle, and the cabin is quiet as long as the pavement is smooth. In the heart of Los Angeles the Grand Vitara's compact size easily made it the parking lot champ of the test.

However, rough roads and potholes disrupt the suspension more than we think they should on a four-wheel independent suspension vehicle, and comments like "harshest ride of the group" quickly followed. So it should come as no surprise when the Suzuki ended up being our judge's last choice to take on a cross-country road trip.

Thanks to some decent Yokohama tires the Grand Vitara was OK on most dirt roads. The ABS-based traction control system that Suzuki spec'd took the Grand Vitara up hills and over moguls that we'd never guess it could. Unfortunately, in the sand that same system literally shuts the truck down as it tries to control wheel spin.

In the future we'd have to think twice before we would take a Grand Vitara in the rough stuff again. The chassis is simply not built for climbing over rocks. There's not a single skidplate to speak of, and now the crossmembers, exhaust, and evaporative-emission system hoses all show signs of being relocated by Mother Earth.

Likes
-Exterior styling has a modern look
-Even as the runt of the litter it has capability
-Very nimble steering

Dislikes
-Anemic engine power
-Worst ground clearance of the test
-Terrible in the sand

Verdict
It's a car with a transfer case

Dodge Ram 1500 SLT Quad Cab
Hummer H3 SUV
Jeep Commander Limited
Nissan Xterra Off-Road V-6
Suzuki Grand Vitara
The Scores and Previous Winners
The 2006 4x4 of the Year is ...