Suzuki Gran Vitara, being an excellent product from Japanese automakers, has pleased many fans of this brand with its characteristics. But, as you know, in almost any car, many owners find not only the positive aspects of the car, but also their shortcomings, diseases and weaknesses. This also affected the 2nd generation Suzuki Grand Vitara. It is important to remember that the failure of small and inexpensive parts is not weak side is just natural wear and tear, due to the limited resource of the car. In this case, we will focus on the significant and expensive elements of the car, the failure of which occurs before the "metered" resource.
The advantages and benefits of Suzuki Grand Vitara 2
- Several gasoline power plants, with a volume of 1.6, 2.0, 2.4 and 3.2 liters. The first two are paired with a five-speed manual or four-speed automatic transmission;
- Diesel engine 1.9, 129 horsepower;
- Spacious salon;
- Comfortable fit while driving;
- Good cross-country ability, handling and road stability;
- Four-wheel drive;
- Quiet high-torque motor;
- Large ground clearance;
- Reliable chassis.
Weaknesses of the 2nd generation Suzuki Grand Vitara
- Body;
- Power plants;
- Catalysts;
- Fuel filter;
- Reducer front axle;
- Valve train chain.
Now in more detail ...
The paintwork of the crossover is of decent quality. Excellent corrosion resistance. Rust is rarely found on the body, even on cars over ten years old. But the interior door openings are poorly painted. Over time, paint is erased on them to metal.
The weak point of the car was the cover of the compartment intended for storing and transporting luggage. The hinges are not designed for such a weight, after a few years they sag, and a distortion occurs. You can fix the problem yourself. It is enough to place a washer under the mount. But sometimes it doesn't help. In this case, it is necessary complete replacement deformed parts.
Power plants
Despite the high level of reliability, car engines have characteristic sores. A 1.6 engine does not tolerate overheating and lack of oil. The timing chain drive is capable of serving up to 200 thousand km, but subject to the use of high-quality lubricant... As soon as the resource of the unit ends, the oil consumption will increase to 500 grams per thousand km. Especially for those who like to drive. In this case, it is necessary to install new rings, valve stem seals.
Power plants with a volume of 2.0 and 2.4 also have weak points. Service life of rollers drive belt small and is no more than 50 thousand km. The chain stretches quickly, the tensioner breaks. A symptom of an ailment is the appearance of an uncharacteristic sound when the engine is cold started.
The disadvantage of a diesel engine is the rapid failure of the turbocharger, pump and DPF filter. The downside is high fuel consumption and costly unit maintenance.
Catalysts.
Depending on the quality of the fuel, the catalysts, sooner or later, will need to be replaced. They were classified as a vulnerability only because they clog up extremely quickly, and the cost of replacing them is not very low. Therefore, when buying, you should definitely ask the owner when the last replacement of the unit was made, and also check them by external signs. Signs of a clogged catalyst include problems with starting the engine, deterioration speed indicators and the presence of a strong smell of hydrogen sulfide from the exhaust pipe.
Fuel filter.
In fact, replacing a fuel filter is not unusual. This work, sooner or later, will be required on any car. But, in the case of the 2nd generation Suzuki Grand Vitara, the replacement will be somewhat more difficult than usual, since this unit comes complete with fuel pump and is, as you might guess, extremely expensive. Before buying a car, you should know about this, and also ask the seller when the last replacement was made. If the mileage is in the region of 100 thousand km. and the filter has not been replaced, then for sure replacement will be required in the next 5-10 thousand km. I would like to note once again that the filter can be replaced without changing the pump, but this is a very laborious work.
Front axle reducer.
The gearbox can "die" before the due date only if the Grand Vitara was often used off-road. Signs of an impending failure of the gearbox is a strong hum, and in especially advanced cases - extraneous mechanical knocks. It is important to remember that in the future, in case of repair, it will cost a round sum, since when disassembling this mechanism, it becomes necessary to replace not only the main pair, but also the bearings with oil seals. Therefore, when buying, you need to drive a car a little and make sure that there are no characteristic noises. It will also not be superfluous to ask the seller when the front axle gearbox was last repaired or at least serviced. If the gearbox has not been repaired, and the car already has a mileage of 80-100 thousand km, then most likely, in the near future, it will need to be repaired.
Of course, the timing chain of any car tends to stretch and wear out. Definitely, when buying a car, it is necessary to check the condition of the chain tension and its condition in general. It is important to remember that this is an extremely important element of the engine, if it breaks down, you will have to invest heavily in repairing the "heart" of the car. That is why, with a car mileage of 150 thousand km, the chain will have to be changed in any case, which in turn will require significant expenses.
The main disadvantages of the Suzuki Grand Vitara II
- Sagging back door. Due to the design features, this car has the problem of rapid abrasion of the bushings and rear door hinges. It is impossible to correct this shortcoming of the "Japanese". The problem can only be cured by replacing the loops. The most that can be done to increase their service life is to monitor the presence of grease in them.
- Increased fuel consumption with a 3.2 liter engine. 3.2-liter engines, of course, will delight the owner with good dynamics and power reserve on the road. But you will have to pay dearly for this, because the power unit loves to eat well. Fuel consumption on this engine, on average, rarely drops below 22 l / 100 km.
- Rigid suspension. Designed like a car with off-road qualities, Grand Vitara will not please you soft suspension business class car and it must be accepted.
- Weak insulation. Sometimes, when driving on rough roads, it will be difficult for you to communicate with your passengers because of the strong background noise in the car. You can solve the problem by installing additional noise insulation.
- Weak two-liter engine. For those who like to save money, buying a version with a 2-liter engine will be a big disappointment. Sometimes this unit is simply not able to fulfill the responsibilities assigned to it to accelerate the car, which is why many drivers suffer greatly.
- "Crickets" in the salon. When driving on bumps, the panel rattles quite strongly, which is why so-called "crickets" appear in the cabin.
- Ergonomics flaws. This point is already more individual, but many car owners complain about inconveniently located buttons and switches, which often have to be reached.
Conclusion.
Depending on the individual requirements of each person, there are a number of other disadvantages of this machine. But, as for the main sore spots, they were covered as much as possible within the framework of this article, based on the reviews of hundreds of owners of this car. Summing up, we can say with confidence that in general, as mentioned earlier, the Suzuki Grand Vitara is a very good car with excellent parameters, which can easily compete with other representatives of this class.
Weaknesses, advantages and disadvantages of Suzuki Grand Vitara 2 with mileage was last modified: November 13th, 2018 by Administrator
Production of the compact crossover Suzuki Grand Vitara was launched in 1998. Today, the production of cars is discontinued, since the "samurai" has been replaced by new model with the same name, but in absolutely new configuration... The old version of the car is interesting and unique. It has a constant four-wheel drive, center differential and its blocking. WITH permanent drive"Japanese" is almost the most off-road vehicle in its class.
Grand Vitara feels confident off-road, overcoming mud, ice and snowy road. Before purchasing a legendary car, of course, it is best to find out what its engine life is.
Powertrain lines
Throughout its history, the crossover has received a large number of different power plants, which, to one degree or another, are famous for their reliability and unpretentiousness. In most cases, Japanese engineers equipped their designs with just a couple of motors, but in the case of a completely different story. The choice of the buyer is available engine options from 1.6 to 3.2 liters with different levels of boost. Also, the line of engines includes not only gasoline, but also diesel modifications.
One of the most popular and demanded is the two-liter J20A engine. The cylinder head and main body parts are made of aluminum alloy. The main advantage of the motor is the presence of hydraulic gap compensators. Due to the hydraulic lifters, maintenance of the power unit is greatly simplified, and its resource also increases.
The engine travels on average about 300 thousand kilometers before the first major overhaul. The manufacturer recommends using a special engine oil Suzuki Motor Oil, due to which it is possible to significantly reduce the negative effect of friction force on the contacting surfaces of the parts of the power unit.
Engine life, certified by the manufacturer
As the practice of operating the Suzuki Grand Vitara shows, the crossover engines are quite reliable, but still have some weak points. The power unit with a displacement of 1.6 liters is sensitive to overheating; it is also better to avoid oil starvation of this engine. The installed timing chain drive serves for 120 thousand kilometers, which, of course, adds reliability and a greater resource to the motor. To increase the life of the chain, the manufacturer recommends using only certified engine oil. It is also advisable to warm up a 1.6-liter engine thoroughly during severe frosts.
The manufacturer does not indicate any framework for the resource of motors, but assures that all power units Suzuki Grand Vitara walk at least 250 thousand kilometers. In order for the "heart" of the car to serve throughout the entire declared period, it is also necessary to use high-quality fuel. Poor quality fuel affects engine spark plugs and fuel filter, which comes complete with a gas pump, and a catalyst. Any breakage of these components fuel system significantly reduce the operating time. If you refuel with gasoline from a trusted supplier, undergo scheduled maintenance on time, you can increase the resource of the Suzuki Grand Vitara engine to 300 thousand kilometers.
Suzuki Grand Vitara Owner Reviews
Suzuki Grand Vitara is a classic, without all the superfluous. Such a car will serve faithfully if given due attention. There are no turbocharged engines in the line of power units, and as a transmission, the manufacturer offers a time-tested hydromechanical gearbox. The symbiosis of a reliable engine and an equally reliable box, even today, bribes many drivers to purchase the Grand Vitara of the earliest generations. It is no exaggeration to say that the Japanese have turned out a really cool car, without interior frills, but with a keen attention to the most important thing. What is the resource of the Suzuki Grand Vitara engine will informatively tell the reviews of the owners of the crossover.
Modification 1.6
- Stanislav, Irkutsk. I have a new 2017 Suzuki Grand Vitara, the latest generation model. I am still satisfied with the car, although the mileage is very scanty. Recently I only went through a run-in, changed the oil and began to pour the one recommended by the manufacturer. A friend has the same car, with an older generation 1.6-liter engine. I'm also happy with the car, now they put new engines under the hood of Vitara, almost perfect. You do not need to adjust the valve, you sit behind the wheel and go. Hopefully it will be at least 300,000 km before urgent repairs are needed.
- Yuri, Simferopol. The car is good, but probably not for our roads. The chain began to ring after 80 thousand kilometers due to excessive stretching. Replacement with a tensioner cost tens of thousands of rubles. Low quality fuel also affects the engine resource. It is very difficult to find a good supplier now. It is best not to save money and pour AI-95. I realized that when it was too late. I recently sold the car, I walked 180 thousand km on the Suzuki Grand Vitara, after which I decided to change it.
- Georgy, Moscow. My wife drives this 2014 crossover. The mileage is now about 45 thousand km, during this time the pump has already been changed under warranty, but there were no more problems. The fuel consumption of the car is huge at a speed of over 150 km, therefore, I do not recommend driving it if economy matters to you. Suspension is noisy, but not killable, the same thing for our roads. The engine works quietly, stably, there are a minimum of problems with the car, but there are some drawbacks, for example, weak metal of the body, as well as expensive maintenance. V dealership said that the Grand Vitara 1.6 runs 300,000 km.
This modification is equipped with a high-quality power unit, which requires increased attention. You can drive a crossover with a 1.6-liter engine under the hood for 250 or more thousand kilometers. The resource of the engine rests on quality and constant scheduled maintenance car.
Modification 2.0
- Mikhail, Tyumen. I'll tell you how former owner Suzuki Grand Vitara 2.0 and 2.4. These cars have excellent transmissions, but the engines, frankly, let us down. Both "eat" oil, and about one liter per 1,000 km. The chain really runs about 120 thousand kilometers, I like that in this car there is no need to adjust the valve. For all the time there were no special problems with the engines, but the constant costs of oil and fuel strained. Consumption is also about 12 liters in the city, which is a lot. In general, I recommend purchasing a Grand Vitara with an engine of 2.7 liters or more, for example, 3.2 liters. They are of higher quality and more high-torque.
- Sergey, Yekaterinburg. To be brief: I didn't like the car. Passed 200 thousand kilometers on Suzuki Grand Vitara, after which he sold the car. The engine "eats" oil, and when the mileage reaches 100 thousand km, the "appetite" of the car increases significantly. I also didn't like that the engine was prone to knocking. The chain did not even live up to 100 thousand, had to be changed at the turn of 70-75 thousand km, knocking and ringing began, the chain stretches very quickly.
- Alexander, Tula. Everyone likes the car. On his 1998 car he covered 300,000 kilometers, quite successfully, after which he did overhaul... If the engine detonates, then it is necessary to change the fuel, switch to a different octane number, the manufacturer himself recommends pouring AI-95. I recently refueled on Lukoil AI-95 and did not know any problems. I changed the oil every 7 thousand km, filled in Liqui Moly 5W-30. In general, I am satisfied with the car, I recommend everyone a modification with a 2.0 liter engine.
Suzuki Grand Vitara with a 2.0 engine is quite reliable, but whimsical to the quality of the fuel to be filled and requires timely maintenance. Subject to the manufacturer's recommendations on the frequency of scheduled maintenance, the crossover will last at least 300,000 km before the first overhaul.
Modification 2.4
- Egor, Moscow. Hello everyone! I purchased a Suzuki Grand Vitara 2.4 in 2007 from authorized dealer... At first, the machine really pleased, but soon the first disappointments came. The engine began to "eat" oil, and the consumption increased to 1 liter per 1000 km. Went on service center, where I was told that the flow rate is not up to standard, but no one can fix it. Most likely piston rings coked up, and this is a very expensive repair. This happened due to low-quality fuel. I recently sold a car, the modification with a 2.4-liter engine is not suitable for use with us.
- Vadim, Voronezh. What can I say, the car is of high quality, reliable, but expensive to maintain. I have already covered 50,000 kilometers in my car, during this time I went through scheduled maintenance five times, which on average costs a couple of hundred dollars. Changing the spark plugs engine oil, filters and the like. The engine was filled with Mobil 1, an expensive but very high quality substance. In general, there were no problems with the engine over the years of operation. The main thing is to fill good gasoline, as Suzuki motors are very sensitive to "power".
- Valery, Sochi. I had a car and domestic auto industry, was Toyota Avensis, but recently I only go to Suzuki. The last "samurai" was the Grand Vitara with a 2.4 liter engine and a hydromechanical gearbox. I'm happy with the car, and I'm not going to change it in the near future. The only thing I don't like is the monthly maintenance costs of the car. The Grand Vitara is more expensive than any other car I've owned. There have never been any problems with the engine.
In some cases, problems with a 2.4-liter engine can indeed be observed, however, it is mainly low-quality fuel and engine oil that provoke breakdowns. With proper and timely maintenance, the Suzuki Grand Vitara 2.4 modification travels at least 250,000 kilometers.
The second generation Suzuki Grand Vitara was introduced in 2005. This compact crossover the leader in popularity among versatile and professional SUVs. In the second half of 2008, the Grand Vitara underwent restyling, changes affected the front bumper and fenders, side mirrors and a radiator grill, two 2.4 and 3.2 liter engines appeared in the engine line, noise insulation was improved, and a multifunctional display appeared in the center dashboard.
Engines
For our market, the second generation Suzuki Grand Vitara is offered with 2 engines of 2.0 liters (140 hp) and 2.4 liters (169 hp). The 3-door version is equipped with 1.6 l (106 hp) and 2.4 (169) hp engines. The most widely used Vitara with a 2.0 liter engine, the 3.2 liter engine was not officially supplied to Russia.
Suzuki Grand Vitara engines have a timing chain drive. It will have to be forgotten about its durability, the chain begins to sound even after the mileage of more than 80 - 120 thousand km due to stretching. Replacing the chain with "shoes" and a tensioner will cost 30-50 thousand rubles.
The 2.4 liter engines of 2008 - 2010 fell under a revocable campaign due to problems with the tension roller of the drive belt of ancillary units.
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If you run more than 100 thousand km, do not forget to replace the radiator cap, over time it may jam the bypass valve in expansion tank, which will lead to an increase in pressure and rupture of the radiator (a crack appears). A catalytic converter can give up even after a mileage of more than 40 - 80 thousand km.
Transmission
Paired with the motors, a mechanical and automatic transmission gear. Paradoxically, the "mechanics" are less reliable than the "machine". With a mileage of more than 60 - 80 thousand km, some owners note a deterioration in the quality of switching on the 1st gear. Mainly due to the approach of the end of the clutch, the resource of which is about 100 - 120 thousand km. Replacement will require about 18-30 thousand. rubles with work. Automatic transmission Vitara does not present any serious problems that disturb the minds of the owners.
The front axle reducer can "hum" when the mileage is more than 70 - 90 thousand km, and some lucky ones even earlier with a run of 30 - 40 thousand km. This in no way means that it will have to be replaced, and the hum can be attributed to the features of the transmission. In some cases, the gearbox becomes silent after changing the oil. With a mileage of more than 120 - 150 thousand km, the oil seal of the right semi-axle of the front gearbox may leak, operating in harsh conditions. The leaking oil seal of the transfer case will most likely have to be replaced when the mileage is more than 60 - 80 thousand km. It is better not to postpone its replacement, lowering the oil level will lead to increased wear of the unit.
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| Suzuki Grand Vitara (2005-2008) |
Undercarriage
The suspension is not durable enough. The stabilizer bushings will most likely surrender first. lateral stability with a mileage of more than 40 - 60 thousand km, which, moreover, often creak in winter. After replacing them, light tapping on road irregularities may not disappear; in this case, rubber-plastic spacers must be placed between the metal bracket and the bushing.
Poor design of the A-pillar support results in contact with the body. It is enough to install a plastic spacer between the support and the body, and the knocking will pass.
With a mileage of more than 50 - 80 thousand km, the front shock absorbers begin to leak, more often in cold weather. Due to the rupture of the salent blocks, the front levers will have to be replaced when the mileage is more than 100 - 120 thousand km. New non-original levers will cost 4-6 thousand rubles, original ones - about 12 thousand rubles.
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| Suzuki Grand Vitara (2008 - present) |
The rear wheel bearing begins to hum when the mileage is more than 60 - 100 thousand km, new hub costs about 5-9 thousand rubles.
Front brake pads run about 30-50 thousand km, rear 70 - 90 thousand km. The front brake discs have to be changed every 60 - 80 thousand km.
Over time, the power steering pump often howls, increasing the tonality in cold weather. In most cases, the situation can be corrected by replacing the fluid.
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| Suzuki Grand Vitara (2005-2008) |
Other problems and malfunctions
When parking in winter, be careful, the bumper can easily burst at the seam after rough contact with an icy snowdrift.
The interior of the Suzuki Grand Vitara is quite squeaky. Its sources are the driver's seat, trunk shelf, plastic pillar trims and front fascia. If all this can somehow be corrected, then the thundering rear seats Are not amenable to "treatment".
"Hanging" of the wiper blades is caused by a slight backlash of the wiper switch knob and burning of the contacts.
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| Suzuki Grand Vitara (2008 - present) |
Conclusion
Such is the Suzuki Grand Vitara. In fact, its disadvantages are the rapid wear of the timing chain drive, the current transfer case oil seals and the not too strong front suspension. And the rest is quite reliable and sturdy off-road vehicle.
31.01.2017
Suzuki Grand Vitara 2 (SUZUKI Grand Vitara)- the most popular car in lineup Suzuki. This model, according to many experts, is considered the best among crossovers in terms of price-quality ratio and off-road capabilities, plus, the car boasts a real Japanese assembly... Many owners attribute this car to the category of those who are not killed, arguing this by unpretentiousness and endurance. But, how are things going with the reliability of a used Suzuki Grand Vitara in fact and what you should pay attention to when choosing this car for secondary market, now let's try to find out.
A bit of history:
The debut of the first generation Suzuki Grant Vitara took place in 1997. Initially, this car was a rear-wheel drive frame SUV with a rigidly connected front-wheel drive. The second generation of the car was introduced in 2005. Unlike the previous version, the novelty has lost the standard frame body structure (the frame is integrated into the body), and the all-wheel drive has become permanent with the presence of crawler gears and locks center differential... In 2008, the car underwent restyling, as a result of which the following changes were made: front bumper, radiator grill, front fenders and mirrors. But, the main innovations affected the technical part - drum brakes were replaced with disc brakes, the transmission was modernized, and two new engines also appeared. In 2010, the car underwent a slight modernization, as a result of which the trunk lid lost its spare wheel, thanks to which Vitara became shorter by 200 mm, and diesel engine was upgraded to comply with the Euro 5 level. This model was available for purchase in three and five-door bodies. In 2015, the production of this crossover was finally discontinued.
Problematic places and disadvantages of Suzuki Grand Vitara
The body elements of the Suzuki Grand Vitara are fitted qualitatively. Also, there are no significant comments on the quality of the paintwork and anti-corrosion coating, and if there is a large amount of rust on a used copy, then this is the first sign that the car was being restored after an accident. Of the shortcomings of body elements, only thin metal on the hood can be distinguished (even from minor contact dents remain) and the sagging of the rear door, this is due to the influence of the heavy spare wheel, which is installed on it. In order to fix the problem, it is necessary to adjust the hinges.
Engines
Suzuki Grand Vitara like for a car made in Japan, has a fairly wide range of power units: petrol - 1.6 (106 HP), 2.0 (140 HP), 2.4 (166 HP) 3.2 (233 HP); diesel 1.9 (129 hp). Operating experience has shown that all engines are reliable enough, but some characteristic sores in them were nevertheless identified. So, in particular, a 1.6-liter engine is afraid of overheating, and it also painfully tolerates oil starvation. A timing chain drive is installed on the motor, as a rule, up to 100-120 thousand km, this unit does not cause any problems, in order to increase the chain resource it is necessary to use quality oil Also, try to warm up the engine well in severe frosts. After 200,000 km, the oil consumption increases, and if they liked to “light up” the car, then the oil consumption can be an unpleasant surprise (up to 400 grams for 1000 km). In order to fix the problem, it is necessary to change the rings and valve stem seals.
Among the disadvantages of engines with a volume of 2.0 and 2.4 liters, a small resource of the drive belt rollers can be noted (40-50 thousand km). Also, on some copies, the chain stretches quite early and its tensioner fails. A diesel rumble and metallic ringing when starting a cold engine will signal a problem. All four-cylinder engines are not equipped with hydraulic lifters, which is why it is necessary to adjust the clearances in the valve drive every 40,000 km. All engines are quite sensitive to the quality of fuel, when using low-quality fuel, the spark plugs, the fuel filter (comes complete with the fuel pump) and the catalyst are the first to suffer. The car with the most powerful 3.2-liter V6 engine has established itself as the most reliable, but has a very high fuel consumption (in the city 20-22 liters per hundred).
Diesel engine 1.9 - development of the French manufacturer Renault. This engine does not have outstanding characteristics and has a number of disadvantages. In our reality, most often, the owners complain about the small resource of the turbocharger, pump, and DPF filter. Also, the disadvantages include high consumption fuel (8-10 liters per hundred) and high maintenance costs.
Transmission
This model is equipped with two types of gearboxes - five-speed mechanics and four-speed automatic. As paradoxical as it may sound, an automatic transmission is much more reliable than mechanics. One of the significant shortcomings of the mechanics is the deterioration of the operational qualities of the box (fuzzy inclusion of the 1st 2nd and 3rd gears). There can be several reasons for incorrect transmission robots - failure of bearings or gear selection mechanism, also, the problem manifests itself with partial wear of the clutch. Despite this, the clutch lasts long enough - 100-120 thousand km. Automatic transmission, as a rule, does not require interventions of 200-250 thousand km, but only under the condition of proper maintenance (oil change every 60,000 km) and operation. The disadvantages of automatic transmission include long delays when changing gears.
The all-wheel drive system is one of the advantages of the Suzuki Grand Vitara. There are inter-axle differential locks and a reduction gear. Of the shortcomings, it can be noted noisy work front axle gearbox (60-80 thousand km starts to buzz, if you often storm off-road terrain, it can buzz even after 30,000 thousand km). Often, an oil change helps to eliminate hum. Once every 100-120 thousand km, replacement of the oil seals of the front gearbox is required, a little earlier, by 60-80 thousand km, the oil seal of the transfer case begins to leak, it is better not to tighten it with its replacement, since a decrease in the oil level in the transfer case will eventually lead to expensive unit repair.
Suspension weaknesses of the Suzuki Grand Vitara
Suzuki Grand Vitara is equipped with a fully independent suspension, despite this, the car is not the standard of comfort and handling. If we talk about the reliability of the chassis, then it is quite hardy, even despite the small resource of some elements. Most often, bushings and stabilizer struts require attention, on average, they serve about 30,000 km, but they can begin to creak even after 10000 km... If, after replacing the bushings, there is still tapping when driving on an uneven road, then it is necessary to install rubber spacers between the bracket and the bushing or replace the brackets. The front shock absorbers are rather weak and on most copies serve no more than 80,000 km, and in severe operating conditions their resource is halved. Breakup levers, wheel bearings and ball joints can please owners with a range of 120,000 km.
The rear wheel bearing is less durable and serves only 60-80 thousand km (it changes assembled with the hub). Remaining elements rear suspension serve about 100,000 km, but many owners recommend that you regularly check the alignment and change tires every 15,000 km. Steering does not cause any special comments, the only thing the owners have complaints about is the howling pump of the power steering, it is worth noting that with the onset of cold weather the hum intensifies (in some cases, replacing the power steering fluid helps to eliminate the problem). Also, on cars of the first years of production, the pipes of the hydraulic booster cooling system are not famous for the reliability (fluid leaks appear at the junction). Front brake pads, on average, take care of 30-40 thousand km, rear up to 60,000 km, discs - twice as long.
Salon
Despite the fact that the interior trim of the second generation Suzuki Grand Vitara is made of simple materials, it is assembled very efficiently, thanks to which extraneous squeaks and knocks rarely bother car owners. The main sources of squeaks are: the front seats, the trunk shelf, and the plastic pillars of the pillars. The electrical equipment is quite reliable and, even after many years of operation, does not cause any trouble. The only thing that can bother is the stove fan motor (brushes and relays fail).
Outcome:
Suzuki Grand Vitara Enough reliable car with good off-road potential, and if used only original spare parts then it will not be a nuisance often. But, if you are looking for a comfortable, family crossover with good cross-country ability, then it is better to pay attention to another car, for example.
If you are the owner of this car model, please describe the problems that you had to face during the operation of the car. Perhaps it is your feedback that will help the readers of our site when choosing a car.
Best regards, editors AvtoAvenu
We list the "weak points" of one of the simplest and most reliable Japanese off-road vehicles, based on the experience of its owners, and recommend what to look at when choosing such used cars.
Honest rogue
The second generation Suzuki Grand Vitara is one of the most striking examples of simple, reliable and fairly quality car, year after year, honestly working off the money paid for him. The combination of such important qualities for buyers of crossovers and SUVs as high cross-country ability, reliability, unpretentiousness and adequate cost, made this all-wheel drive model a bestseller of the Suzuki brand in our country.
And thanks to the presence of a reduction gear and a rigid blocking of the center differential in the absence of a classic frame, the Grand Vitara is a car unique in its design among modern crossovers. "Grand Vitara" supplied to Russian market exclusively from the factory in the Japanese city of Iwata in Shizuoka Prefecture, throughout the 11 years of sales have enjoyed stable demand.
Every year, the model sold with us in a circulation of 10 to 15 thousand units. And sometimes more. Having not lost its consumer qualities with age, Suzuki Grand Vitara continues to faithfully serve sometimes far from the first owners. And the safety margin of this rogue, combined with the low cost of maintenance and repair, makes it a rather attractive offer in the secondary market.
Best the enemy of the good
The “second” Grand Vitara replaced its predecessor of the same name in 2005. Its prototype, called the "Suzuki Concept-X2", was unveiled at the New York International Motor Show. The five-door concept in black, created in the spirit of the new corporate philosophy "Lifestyle", was in many ways similar to the resulting production car. Under the hood of the prototype was a 185-horsepower 2.7 V6 gasoline engine from the previous generation of the model, paired with a 5-speed automatic. But unlike its predecessor, the novelty had a permanent all-wheel drive and a frame integrated into the supporting body instead of the traditional ladder type.
In the new generation of the model, for the first time, the body design features inherent in frameless crossovers were combined, as well as a transmission with a center differential lock and a lowering, as in full-fledged SUVs. By the way, the Japanese developed the "second" Grand Vitara using some components of the GM Theta platform. But at the same time they were modified, so that built on an American "cart" Japanese model cannot be named. However, after a couple of years, the Suzuki XL7 was released on this Jem platform. It was assembled for the North American market at the CAMI Automotive plant in Canada alongside its sister Chevrolet Equinox and Pontiac Torrent. But this is a completely different car, which has nothing to do with our "Grand Vitara".
In Russia, the Suzuki Grand Vitara was officially sold with 3- and 5-door bodies and only with atmospheric gasoline engines... At first, these were in-line "fours" 1.6 (106 hp) for the short and 2.0 (140 hp) for the long-wheelbase version of the SUV. The first was aggregated only with a 5-speed mechanics and a simplified all-wheel drive transmission without lowering and locking the center differential. And the second, in addition to the mechanics, also has a 4-band automatic. In Europe, the model was also offered with a 129-horsepower Renault 1.9 diesel engine and a 106-horsepower 1.6 (for three doors until 2008), and in America it was sold as a Grand Vitara V6 with a 185-horsepower "six" from the XL-7 of the previous generation.
In 2008, along with a small external update of the bumpers, radiator grille and lighting equipment, as well as new body colors, enhanced noise insulation and turn signals moved to the mirror housings, Grand Vitara received two more engines: a 2.4 inline four and a 3.2 V-shaped six. ... The first developed 166 forces on a three-door and 169 forces on a five-door, and the second with a capacity of 233 forces was available only with a 5-speed automatic on the long-wheelbase version of the crossover and was sold in Russia only from 2008 to 2009. In 2012, the model was updated again. The crossover received wheel disks a new design, a different grille and a modified bumper. Inside, there is a different seat upholstery and Garmin navigation in the top versions.
After the release of the modern successor in 2015 (already without the Grand prefix), the losing popularity of the Grand Vitara was offered to customers by Russian dealers for about a year. The last new car they sold in October 2016. In just 11 years, 110,607 crossovers of this generation have been sold in Russia. The most demanded were five-doors with a 2.0 engine and automatic transmission (44,520 units were sold from 2005 to 2016). The second most popular was the Grand Vitara 2.0 with mechanics (26 106 units), the third place was taken by the crossover with the most powerful "four" 2.4 and automatic transmission (25 587 cars). The least sold cars with an American 3.2 V6 engine (613 units). The second generation Suzuki Grand Vitara has been officially discontinued worldwide in 2017.
Sales statistics for Suzuki Grand Vitara in Russia from 2005 to 2016
Few of all
In the aftermarket in Russia, the Suzuki Grand Vitara can be found in all possible combinations with almost any engine and gearbox pair available for this generation of the model. Including privately imported cars from North America with 2.7 V6 and 1.9 diesel with manual gearbox from Europe. But the largest number of offers on the Internet today is presented by five-door ( 87% ) and mainly with the 2.0 engine ( 58% ). A slightly smaller choice of crossovers with a "four" 2.4 ( 28% ). Used 3-door cars with a junior engine 1.6 ( 12% ) is still about half as much. And brought from the Old World and "American" is almost impossible to find (according to 1% ). The worst represented crossovers with the top 3.2 V6 (less 0,5% ). They were sold in Russia for a short time and were not cheap.
Body stuff
Frankly rusty "second" Grand Vitara you are unlikely to meet even at the age of 10. Unless she's been in an accident. In the crossover of this generation, in general, everything is in order with its corrosion resistance. At least not at all weak points in protection against the "red plague" in the model was not noticed. Only the condition of the paint can cause concern. It scratches easily, exposing the primer, and also suffers greatly from stones flying from under the wheels. The front, almost vertical edge of the bonnet is especially prone to chipping. If the damage to the metal is not tinted in a timely manner, then soon a superficial red plaque will appear on them. In general, this is all not critical, but not beautiful!
Also appearance spoil the peeling chrome from the plastic parts and paint peeling off the leashes of the wipers. And the rubber door seals wipe the weak paintwork in the doorways to the ground and even to the metal. The sagging of the tailgate under the weight of the spare wheel can be eliminated by simply adjusting the hinges. But her cracked handle from 700 rubles will have to be changed. However, like a cracked windshield from 5000 rubles. By the way, it could have become so due to the hobbies of the past owner of off-road trips. Nevertheless, the body of the car is load-bearing and can eventually get tired and weaken from the loads. Such "Grand Vitaras" are not the best choice... They may have more worn out components and assemblies.
Engines
The most famous engine problems with which the model was officially sold with us are associated with gasoline. No, the crossover normally digests the 95th and even the 92nd. But from the poor quality of fuel less than 30,000 km away, spark plugs and oxygen sensors from 9,200 rubles "die", a fuel filter worth 27,300 rubles, complete with a gasoline pump, can quickly become clogged. And for 60,000 - 80,000 km a catalytic converter can “fly” for 77,400 rubles. Typical symptoms of his death are a decrease in power and deterioration in dynamics, difficult (long) engine start, ringing and rattling from the exhaust system, CheckEngine on the tidy, sharp bad smell exhaust and high fuel consumption.
However, the crossover is famous for its good appetite, and this is often considered normal. And engines of "Grand Vitara" with age begin to eat up oil due to wear piston group... Aggregates 2.0 and 2.4, which can “drink” up to 350 ml per 1000 km, are especially affected by the "oil-eating". Some are pulling off the engine capital using a higher viscosity oil. Therefore, it would be good to find out from the owner of the selected crossover what oil is poured into the engine, and what is its consumption, in order to understand whether a major overhaul is coming soon. By the way, low level oil can halve or three times reduce the resource of the timing chain from 2,700 rubles, which is supposed to depart 150,000 km.
And for all motors, after 60,000 - 70,000 km, it may be necessary to replace the left support for 5100 rubles. On engines located longitudinally under the hood, it wears out earlier, working more to break when pressing the gas. The imminent death of the support will be prompted by body vibrations when idle motor. Otherwise, the power units of the crossover are quite reliable and unpretentious. The younger engine 1.6 (M16A) is considered one of the most tenacious of the "Grand Vitara", since it works with a simplified transmission and on a lighter three-door. The most popular 2.0 (JB420), with proper care, may well go up to the capital of 400,000 km. The more powerful "four" 2.4 (JB424) is also generally trouble-free, but more voracious.
About diesel crossovers rarely found on sale, you should be aware that with the appearance of wear and tear, their engines are no longer as profitable as on new cars. Search and selection of SUV with 2.7 V6 (H27A) - lottery. With age, in the absence of proper care and timely maintenance, the "six" can cause a lot of trouble and require cash investments due to wear of the timing chain drive mechanism, as well as leakage of oil seals, gaskets and seals. The owners of the previous Grand Vitara XL-7 know this firsthand. And the top-end 3.2 V6 (N32A), as in Opel Antara and Chevrolet captiva, gluttonous, but generally not bad. When good. Spare parts for the American unit may have to wait longer, and they can cost more.
Transmission
Complaints about the 5-speed mechanics of the Grand Vitara are rare due to the reliability of this gearbox. If the oil in it was changed every 45,000 km, and the car was not driven off-road, then there should be no problems with the manual gearbox. Nevertheless, during a test drive, make sure that all gears are switched on clearly and without undue effort, and that hums, extraneous noises and crunches are not heard from the box. A slight tremor of the gearshift lever should not be scared - this is a feature of the mechanics on the Grand Vitara. A clutch for 16,000 rubles serves an average of 110,000 - 120,000 km and previously requires replacement only on cars that often left the asphalt or towed trailers.
A four-speed automatic, which was installed with "fours", and a 5-speed automatic with a V6 - reliable units from the Japanese company Aisin, nursing 200,000 - 250,000 km. They are unhurried in their work, but they do it conscientiously - smoothly. The oil in them should be changed at least 60,000 km, and preferably after 45,000 km, as under severe operating conditions. It is worth asking the owner how often this was done on his car. Check automatic transmission in all modes. It should not twitch, slip when switching, and no extraneous noise should come from it. The presence of these symptoms is a reason to look for another car. Repairing an automatic machine, and even more so replacing it, is not a cheap and troublesome task.
Transfer case it will not be a hassle if you monitor the oil level in it, and change it at the same time as changing the engine oil. Look under the car and make sure that the oil seals - especially between the gearbox and the transfer case - are intact and not leaking, and the transmission is clean and dry. Requires attention front gear worth 25,000 rubles. From exposure to moisture due to the low location of the ventilation breather, it may require repair after 60,000 - 70,000 km of run, not having served the prescribed 200,000 - 250,000 km. And on cars produced before the first restyling, the main steam can howl when coasting at 80-90 km / h. Only replacing it with a modified one will help to silence the node.
Rest
The chassis of the crossover, designed for significant loads, resists bad roads with dignity and rarely bothers the owner with breakdowns before 80,000 - 100,000 kilometers. On cars that did not leave the asphalt, wheel bearings for 9,300 rubles assembled with a hub run up to 150,000 km, and when driving into the mud, they can "die" after 70,000 km. After about 80,000 km, they may ask for replacement shock absorbers and worn out silent blocks, as well as front levers for 8,900 rubles because of the structurally unified ball-and-socket ones with them. More often - after 15,000 - 25,000 km - only the creaking inexpensive stabilizer bushings will have to be changed.
Examining the car you like, make sure that the climate system is working properly. Check its operation in all modes. In the risk zone there is a fan for 3200 rubles, the motor of which can burn out together with the control relay, as well as drives for stove dampers, temperature control and recirculation. All this can be fixed, but with the expense of time and money. And because of the rotten pipes under the hood, the air conditioner may not work, although the compressor will honestly "thresh", creating noise and consuming the energy allocated to it.
When inspecting the vehicle from the outside, check if the spare wheel cover on the tailgate is intact. If it is damaged, ask the seller for a discount. The new one is not cheap and costs 27,400 rubles. And also check the operation of the headlight washers if the car is equipped with xenon. The reason for inoperative injectors is often rotted contacts of a motor worth 4100 rubles, located at the bottom of the washer reservoir behind the front bumper.
How much?
The range of prices for the "second" Suzuki Grand Vitara is great - from 350,000 rubles to 1,250,000 rubles. This is due to the long production time of this generation of the crossover. After all, the age of the very first cars has already passed 11 years, and the freshest ones have not yet turned two. Regardless of the year of manufacture and mileage, almost all Grand Vitaras presented in the secondary market are well-groomed and look very attractive. And their condition can often correspond to the type. Quite good three-doors can be found at a price of up to 440,000 rubles. Five-doors are found from 460,000 - 480,000 rubles. Prices for cars of the second restyling (younger than 2012) start at 750,000 rubles.
Our choice
The most interesting option for buying a Suzuki Grand Vitara, according to the Am.ru editorial staff, will be the most popular and widely presented five-door version on the market with a 140-horsepower 2-liter "four" and an automatic transmission. This is the most reliable, albeit not the most dynamic, version of the crossover. However, the main buyers of this model are conservative aged drivers. They value the durability and reliability of the car more than the time it takes to accelerate to a hundred. It is best to consider crossovers released after the 2008 restyling. In good condition, such cars can now be found from 600,000 rubles.
