When creating the Suzuki Grand Vitara 2, they abandoned the frame and solid bridges, but left a full-fledged four-wheel drive. Therefore, when reading the “paper” characteristics of a car, it is not always clear which class it belongs to. Whether this is at the price of a crossover, or with the appetite of an SUV. In the article, we will sort through all the pros and cons of a used model.
A bit of history
The Japanese Vitara family began its history in 1988. The frame, plug-in front axle, small size and weight made the model popular in certain circles of off-road enthusiasts. Low power motors slightly limited off-road capabilities, but made the price of a car affordable for most people.
The second generation (1998-2005) became larger, more powerful and received the Grand prefix. Therefore, in fact, Suzuki is in the review of the third generation, but taking into account the "grandness" - the second. Off-road Vitara was not the first, and for urban conditions it was generally not suitable, so the second reincarnation was not particularly popular.
In the third generation, Suzuki decided to take into account previous mistakes and made a radical change in priorities. In 2005, the fashion for crossovers was just gaining momentum. Therefore, the model received a nice appearance, permanent all-wheel drive with a low gear and a load-bearing body instead of a frame. In combination with an affordable price, this has ensured a fairly stable popularity.
Body and equipment
In addition to the standard five-door modification, not so often, but there is also a three-door modification - a good option for urban conditions with bad roads. The body of the Grand Vitara is galvanized on both sides, but after damage it starts to rust very quickly. Therefore, it is better to eliminate chips and scratches immediately after they occur.
The list of additional equipment is much shorter than that of German premium brands. But for comfortable movement there is everything you need even in the “base”. All Suzuki Grand Vitara 2 have:
- full power package;
- climate control (not everyone, however, likes the algorithm of its work);
- heated front seats;
- two airbags (driver, passenger);
- ABS and EBD brake force distribution system.
In more expensive trim levels exchange rate stability monitored by the ESP system. Of the "buns" can be a leather interior, cruise control, keyless entry, parking sensors and more expensive music with a changer. The top-end Vitara with a 3.2-liter engine was also supplied with electronic assistants during descent and ascent.
The salon is spacious and simple. The panel plastic is hard, but soft on the door cards. Crickets and rattling most often occur in the area of \u200b\u200bthe dashboard and rear seats. Noise isolation is average, after restyling it was slightly improved.
There were two restylings in total. In 2008, they changed the radiator grille, a couple of little things in appearance and put information display to the front panel. There was an opportunity to choose a gasoline engine. An improved 2.4-liter and a top-end V6 3.2-liter were added to the only two-liter one, which was not officially delivered to our area, therefore it is rare. In 2012, the appearance was tweaked a little more and the six-cylinder engine was discontinued.
Off-road and distribution
Permanent four-wheel drive is good, but you should not count on "super" patency. It is higher than the average "SUV", but do not exclude the factor of "correct" rubber and gaskets between the steering wheel and the driver's seat. Additional features always require additional costs, or at least attention.
When choosing a Suzuki Grand Vitara with mileage, it is better not to take copies with leaking oil seals front axle. Without oil, the gearbox quickly fails, and it is not known how much the car has already driven with a leak. Most often, the right drive oil seal flows and changes without any problems. If the front drip, then you have to disassemble the entire razdatka. In this case, all other oil seals are changed at the same time so as not to return to this issue for the next 70-80 thousand mileage.
Even if there are no oil leaks, be sure to change the oil in the front gearbox after purchase. Due to the location of the breather, water gets into it. And for this it is not necessary to drive on deep fords. There is a solution to the problem:
- Original long hose kit (27891-65D10) breather and retainer (27892-65D00).
- The design of the gasoline-resistant Zhiguli hose, two clamps and a filter.
In the rear gearbox, the breather is brought into the bridge, so there are no such problems. But if you “park” in a deep puddle for a long time, then moisture can still penetrate inside. Therefore, extreme off-road enthusiasts are advised to change the lubricant in the rear gearbox twice as often as during normal operation.
If the oil seals and oil in both transfer cases are changed in time, then the Suzuki Grand Vitara all-wheel drive system will regularly last 250+ thousand km. Unfortunately, not all owners pay due attention to regular diagnostics.
Suspension
The chassis of the Grand Vitara is reliable, but there are several weaknesses:
- Silent blocks of front levers.In the original, the front levers change only as an assembly. At the same time, the ball joint “nurses” much more than the rear silent blocks, which live 70-100 thousand km. Solved in two ways:
- replacement of the lever assembly;
- replacing the silent blocks themselves with alternative ones. For example: Hyundai 54584-2E000 or Sidem 877611.
- Rear break bolts. They are supplied without any anti-corrosion protection, so over time they become one with the rear silent blocks. Because of this, it is impossible to adjust the collapse rear axle. This is fraught with accelerated wear of rubber and is “treated” by replacing all rear silent blocks along with bolts. To prevent such a situation, regular (every 20-30 thousand km) bolt maintenance (graphite grease) is recommended.
- Front stabilizer bushings. Almost a consumable with a service life of 10-30 thousand km. Depending on driving style, quality of bushings and roads. For owners of two-liter Vitars, it can be advised to use bushings and brackets from the 2.4-liter version. Part numbers: 42412-78K00 - bushing and 42415-78K00 - mounting bracket.
- Silent blocks of front levers.In the original, the front levers change only as an assembly. At the same time, the ball joint “nurses” much more than the rear silent blocks, which live 70-100 thousand km. Solved in two ways:
Hub n bearings are supplied assembled with a hub, but their resource is usually enough for 100+ thousand km in normal urban operation. The rear brakes of the Grand Vitara are drum and pads are usually enough for at least 80 thousand km. The front will have to be changed twice as often.
Engines
In this section, Suzuki has a minimum of variety. From 2005 to 2008, in fact, there was only one option - a two-liter gasoline engine.J20A, 140 hp from.For the weight of the car and all-wheel drive, it is not enough, so the consumption in the city rarely drops below 14 liters.
Cars were brought from America with a more frisky six-cylinder2.7 liters (H27A, 185 hp). Reliable and unpretentious, not a bad option to buy, but find the Grand Vitara 2 in good condition it's hard with a motor like that. Found only on pre-styling Vitara.
From the exotic category, you can find Vitara with1.9 liter dieselfrom Renault. Of the one and a half thousand ads for the sale of SGV on AvtoRu, there are already 16 diesel ones. A turbine engine is not very reliable, and with age, fuel equipment becomes prohibitively expensive. To save on fuel, it is better to choose Gas engine with installed HBO system.Gas equipmentpays off quickly, butrisk of burnt exhaust valveswith incorrect setting and adjustment of the fuel mixture.
The second most common is gasolineJ24B 2.4 liters. Additional 29 l. from. increased consumption by 2 liters. Appeared after the first restyling and is, in fact, bored two-literJB420. In terms of dynamics, a two-liter engine on the mechanics can be equated with a 2.4 on the machine. 
JB series motors have their own weaknesses / features:
- Timing chain drive.Its service life rarely exceeds 80-90 thousand km, almost like on belt-driven machines. The chain stretches, the tensioners loosen up, so the first signs of a future repair can be easily identified by ear. Do not forget to open the hood before buying and carefully listen to the sound of the engine - there should not be any metallic tapping or rattling.
- Zhor oil.Usually begins to appear after 100 thousand run. Up to 2 liters from replacement to replacement is nothing to worry about. If you regularly drive with an oil level below the minimum, then engine repair is guaranteed. Replacement helps valve stem seals and piston rings. For starters, you can try changing the viscosity of the engine oil.
- Oil pressure sensor.Another source of lubrication loss. Oil starts to run through it, just a change.
- Adjustment of valves.These motors do not have hydraulic lifters, therefore, according to the regulations, it is supposed to adjust the valves every 40 thousand km. In fact, rarely does anyone do this service more than once every 100,000 miles.
It remains only to mention the most powerful V6 3.2 liters (N32A, 233 hp) and the weakest 1.6 (M16A, 106 hp). The first comes from General Motors and in good and serviced condition will not cause problems. The Suzuki Grand Vitara 2 has the only motor with hydraulic lifters and does not require valve adjustment. In the case of repair, a six-cylinder engine, in principle, will be expensive.
The younger 1.6-liter engine was installed only on three-door SGV2, also with a simplified transmission. Reliable, but frankly weak unit. Suitable only for smooth movement around the city.
Gearboxes
The manual transmission of the Grand Vitara 2 is generally reliable, but a problem with first gear is quite common. It does not turn on when the car is warm, or it is very tightly “stuck”. There can be several causes and solutions to the problem:
- "dying" clutch - treated by replacement;
- bad oil in the box - change to 2 liters of Castrol Syntrans Transaxle 75W-90;
- airing the hydraulic system - replacing and pumping brake fluid;
- synchronizer - repair with gearbox disassembly.
All Grand Vitara 2s were equipped with a rather ancient but reliable Aisin four-speed automatic. There are fewer problems with it than with mechanics. Switches thoughtfully, but smoothly, while increasing the average consumption of a couple of liters (compared to manual transmission).
The only exceptions were SGVs with V6 engines. They were supplied with the same Japanese automatic transmission, only with five steps. According to the algorithm of work and reliability, they do not differ.
Outcome
The second generation Suzuki Grand Vitara attracts with its affordable starting price. For reasonable money, you can get an almost full-fledged SUV with an adequate cost of maintenance.
The popularity of Suzuki Grand Vitara is so great that for many years it was produced all over the world and under different names.
Success and international recognition are objectively deserved - the universality of the model in the totality of its qualities knows no equal.
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For a long time, the compact SUV has been the best-selling Russian market the car took its rightful place, and on a par with the right-hand drive twin brother Suzuki Escudo.
Who traveled, he knows, he will understand
The Grand Vitara is interesting and unique in that it is the most off-road in its class. Because here there is a permanent all-wheel drive, a ladder-type frame is built into the body, there is a transfer case between the front and rear center differential, there is a differential lock system and reduced speed, which gives improved off-road qualities. The interior of the model is nothing particularly outstanding, solid, concise, simple, not attracting attention, but not old-fashioned.
In the constant all-wheel drive of the Japanese on the track, even in bad weather conditions - ice, rain, winter road, there is a feeling of complete safety and reliability. If you happen to get into more serious off-road, the differential lock and downshift will come to the rescue.
Of course, we must remember that this is not a classic all-terrain vehicle, but an urban crossover and its suspension is low, the ground clearance is only 200 mm, but the car honestly works on it and goes where most classmates will get stuck.
Add to this reliability, does not break, unsurpassed quality and unkillability, along with an excellent price tag, you get the most honest car in terms of hardware, and cross-country ability and functionality ratio.
A bit of history
In fact, 1988 can be considered the starting point of creation, when the first Suzuki Escudo came out. But officially under the name Grand Vitara rolled off the assembly line in 1997. In Japan it is called the Suzuki Escudo, in the US it is called the Chevrolet Tracker. In Russia, the start of sales took place together with everyone and ended with the end of production in 2014. It was replaced by Suzuki Vitara until 2016.
Debut new generation is planned for 2020 - 2021, according to the top manager of the Russian representative office of the brand Takayuki Hasegawa, due to the continued demand from the customers of the division and dealers, who confirm that there is not enough of such a car in Russia. Most likely, it will be built on its own original base, and not on the legacy of the Vitara bogie.
1st generation (09.1997-08.2005)
On sale three (open top version available) and a five-door frame crossover with rear wheel drive and the Part Time 4FWD system, the essence of which is the ability to hard connect / disconnect the front axle by the driver manually at a speed of no more than 100 km / h, and downshift only at a complete stop.
In 2001 the lineup replenished with an elongated modification (32 cm longer wheelbase) XL-7 (Grand Escudo) with a three-row interior for seven people. The giant is equipped with a 2.7-liter V6 power unit, developing up to 185 hp.
The first Grand Vitara is equipped with 1.6 and 2.0 petrol in-line fours with 94 and 140 hp. and V-shaped six-cylinder, issuing up to 158 hp. A 2-liter diesel engine was exported to some countries, developing up to 109 forces. A five-band manual or 4-zone automatic gearbox is paired with an internal combustion engine.
2nd generation (09.2005-07.2016)
This is the most purchased generation, produced for 10 years without radical changes, the happy owners of which have become a huge army of car owners. What is great, all the cars for the domestic consumer were assembled in Japan.
The second Grand Vitara received a frame integrated into the body and permanent all-wheel drive with a differential lock and a reduction speed. In Japan, the novelty is available in four design solutions - Helly Hanson (especially for outdoor enthusiasts), Salomon (chrome trim), Supersound Edition (for music lovers) and FieldTrek (luxury equipment).
In 2008, the manufacturer carried out the first minor modernization - the front bumper changed, the front fenders became new and the wheel arches, the radiator grille were highlighted, the sound insulation was strengthened, and a display appeared in the center of the instrument panel. The restyled version has acquired two new engines - 2.4 liters 169 hp and the most powerful 3.2 liter 233 hp. The latter was not officially delivered to Russia, just like the diesel 1.9 liter Renault, which was exported to other markets. The gearbox for all cars is a five-speed manual or a four-speed, electronically controlled automatic machine with two modes - normal and sport.
Only a 1.6 liter engine with 106 hp is put on a short three-door four-seater baby, its base is 2.2 meters, a small trunk and rear seats, which are folded separately. In a five-door configuration, five passengers are quite comfortable, and a two-liter engine with 140 hp. enough for a full daily drive in the city. To carry bulky luggage, the back row is laid out in parts, and the volume of the cargo compartment increases from 275 to 605 liters.
The second change in Grand Vitara in 2011 affected cars for the foreign market. Spare wheel dismantled from the door of the cargo compartment, thus reducing the length of the car by 20 cm. The environmental level of the diesel engine was brought to Euro 5. All basic configurations received an electronic drive in the transfer case for turning on / off the reduced speed and a self-locking differential. The forced lock button is located on the center console.
An additional option is available - a driver assistance system when driving downhill. It maintains a speed of 5 or 10 km/h according to the transmission mode. And also at the start on the rise and the ESP skid prevention system. The three-door car did not receive an improved transmission, so cross-country ability does not possess.
What engines are on the Suzuki Grand Vitara
| Engine model | Type | Volume, liters | Power, hp | Version |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| G16A | gasoline R4 | 1.6 | 94-107 | SGV 1.6 |
| G16B | in-line four | 1.6 | 94 | SGV 1.6 |
| M16A | inline 4-cyl | 1.6 | 106-117 | SGV 1.6 |
| J20A | inline 4-cylinder | 2 | 128-140 | SGV 2.0 |
| RF | diesel R4 | 2 | 87-109 | SGV2.0D |
| J24B | Benz row 4 | 2.4 | 166-188 | SGV 2.4 |
| H25A | petrol V6 | 2.5 | 142-158 | SGV V6 |
| H27A | petrol V6 | 2.7 | 172-185 | SGV XL-7 V6 |
| H32A | petrol V6 | 3.2 | 224-233 | SGV 3.2 |
More pluses
Of the advantages of the Suzuki Grand Vitara, apart from the main one - transmission, along with cost, dynamism and reliability, good handling, one can note a high level of safety with the highest scores according to the results of crash tests.
In the exterior, an important advantage is a spacious interior, both for legs, as well as overhead and to the sides, which most in the class do not have. Excellent visibility. Plastic, although hard, but high-quality, with plenty of space for every little thing.
... And cons
There are drawbacks, like everyone else. Of the important - high flow fuel as payment for all-wheel drive. Around the city 2.0 liter with mechanical box eats up to 15 liters per 100 km. What can we say, about more powerful and with a gun. A rare case, on the highway it turns out to meet 10 l / 100 km. Most car owners note the low level of aerodynamics. The car is noisy and hard. Trunk volume is not small, but the shape is not comfortable - high and narrow.
Is it worth buying, if so, with which engine
After weighing the pros and cons, yes. Because good reliable durable cars little now. Producers have long been not interested in playing long. They need more often to change components, parts, mechanisms, machines for new ones. Suzuki Grand Vitara is not like that. There are many timeless classics here that will serve well for decades.
No turbocharged internal combustion engines, no robots, no CVTs - perfectly smooth and imperceptibly working hydromechanics with a long resource. The most important thing when buying commercial vehicle- do not fall for expensive repairs or frequent replacement of expensive elements. Choosing this Japanese also the price will be more than adequate.
Objectively, for a 5-door car, two liters and with passengers on a trip out of town and beyond, will not be enough. Around the city, from work, home, to shops - enough. Therefore, 2.4 liters with a power of 166 hp. - just right, and 233 horses, which produces a 3.2 liter - too much. For such power car light, it becomes dangerous, maneuverability is lost.
In general, the car is a real Japanese prude, which has everything you need to feel calm and safe on the road, know and be sure, and not guess whether it will stretch or not stretch on the off road section. When creating the Grand Vitara, Suzuki didn't go to great lengths to create a trendy design, focusing on the essentials.
The differential lock in the Suzuki Grand Vitara allows the driver to feel confident on the roads. Approximately one price category both cars are located, although the Outlander's off-road potential is slightly lower. : Grand Vitara or Outlander? We will try to answer this question in today's review. The analysis will be built in a non-standard way. We will analyze weak spots competing parties. Consider possible breakdowns and failures in the operation of crossovers.
| Car model: | Mitsubishi Outlander 2.4 | Suzuki Grand Vitara 2.0 |
| Producing country: | Japan | Japan |
| body type: | SUV | SUV |
| Number of places: | 5 | 5 |
| Number of doors: | 5 | 5 |
| Engine capacity, cu. cm: | 2360 | 1995 |
| Power, l. s./about. min.: | 162/6000 | 140/6000 |
| Maximum speed, km/h: | 196 | 175 |
| Acceleration to 100 km/h, s: | 10.5 (automatic transmission) | 12,5 |
| Type of drive: | full | full |
| Checkpoint: | 6 automatic transmission | 5 automatic transmission |
| Fuel type: | gasoline AI-95 | gasoline AI-92 |
| Consumption per 100 km: | city 10.6; track 6.4 | city 10.6; track 7.1 |
| Length, mm: | 4655 | 4300 |
| Width, mm: | 1800 | 1810 |
| Height, mm: | 1680 | 1695 |
| Clearance, mm: | 215 | 200 |
| Tire size: | 215/70R16 | 225/65R17 |
| Curb weight, kg: | 1495 | 1533 |
| Gross weight, kg: | 2210 | 2070 |
| Fuel tank capacity: | 63 | 66 |
Disadvantages of power units
Test Drive Mitsubishi car outlander:
The Grand Vitara has weak front suspension stabilizer bushings.
In the duel between Grand Vitara and Outlander, the Outlander took over in terms of the quality and durability of the suspension.
Summing up
Today we had an unusual one. Which is better: Outlander or Grand Vitara? Based on the specifics of today's review, the winner will be the car whose components and assemblies are more reliable and will last longer than that of the opponent. Another evaluation criterion will be the approximate cost of replacing parts that could potentially fail. So, the parts in the Outlander are more durable and the cost of replacing them will be much lower than that of the Suzuki Grand Vitara. Therefore, we give the victory in this duel to the “Outlander”.
We don’t have rear-wheel drive Vitara, although such theoretically existed in the USA. Five-door cars are equipped with a full-fledged transfer case with permanent all-wheel drive and a reduction gear, but three-door cars with a 1.6-liter engine are content with a simpler one without a lowering gear, with a completely inefficient cam self-block. You can also find cars from the USA with a connected front axle, but this is quite rare. However, this is easily fixable if a person is ready to get confused with altering not only the transfer box, but also the electronics that control it, as well as the replacement of the wiring harness.
Permanent four-wheel drive with center lock and reduction gear, and even with optional lock rear axle- this is quite a serious arsenal for an SUV. And it’s also at least four transmission units versus one or two on most crossovers. And for complete happiness - two cardan shafts. Of course, all this economy, although it works very reliably, nevertheless requires maintenance. It is necessary to change the oil regularly, and, judging by the reviews, it is best to pour not the original mineral water, but transmission semi-synthetics with reduced viscosity. Seals should be checked regularly for leaks. But with us it is quite easy to do: any oil leak is clearly visible against the background of a dirty unit.
On machines of the first and second restyling, the reliability of the front axle gearboxes is extremely low. Any excessive load quickly leads to failure of the bearings, and if the situation starts, then the main pair. Additional risk factors are heating from the engine and the unfortunate location of the gearbox breather: when forcing even a shallow ford, water can get inside. Of course, the breather is led out into a rubber tube, the end of which is fixed at the very top. engine compartment, but for most of the machines the system works normally, which means it is not very reliable.
The transfer case does not have a "foolproof", so the 4HL lock-up mode will not turn off at high speeds and on hard surfaces, and the load on the transmission can go off scale.
The quality of the seals, unfortunately, is far from ideal. They flow, and both on new cars and on cross-country ones. Replacement does not always help to fix the problem for a long time. An unsuccessful tool, dirty planes, a bad supplier - and here again everything is under replacement ... But there are more than a dozen oil seals. In general, you will have to change often, and sometimes it’s trite to “hammer” if the oil leak is insignificant.
The cardan shafts here are actually not quite cardan. They have CV joints on them, except that the oldest cars produced in 2005-2007 have cardans in the drive. And CV joints have covers that sometimes tear, and it is better to change them immediately. But there are no officially covers for sale, and there are no CV joints, there are only assembled shafts, which, as you understand, costs absolutely indecent money. All these factors lead to the fact that transmission failures on older cars are one of the most frequent and expensive faults, and also one of the most troublesome. By the way, if all three lamps of transmission modes are flashing, then do not rush to repair the transfer case. Most likely, it's either wiring, or ESP failures, or ignition system failures. There are no buggy sensors or vacuum actuators here.
Manual transmissions are generally very sturdy. But the clutches fail, which wear out early, and the gearshift mechanism with weak traction. The second problem was eventually solved by cardinally strengthening the part. But the hydraulic clutch remained the same, not particularly resourceful and not very convenient. If you remove the restrictor jet from the drive, then it will be more convenient to use it. But the price of a hydraulic cylinder combined with release bearing, is still high. It is easy to damage it if the clutch is unsuccessfully installed, but the clutch itself is still weak and requires very careful handling. For most owners, it will have to be changed every 60-80 thousand kilometers. Rarely anyone manages to run more than 150 thousand on one set, and the risk is not justified: when the disc wears out, the basket breaks very easily, which entails additional costs. In addition, the operation of replacing the clutch is expensive and “traumatic”: if not removed carefully, it is easy to damage the wiring or something else. But otherwise, cars with manual transmission do not have any serious difficulties.
Pictured: Suzuki Grand Vitara "2012–present
With automatic transmission, too, special surprises can not be expected. Suzuki installed two Aisin automatic transmissions on the Grand Vitara, and the best Toyota series. With engines of 1.6, 2.0 and 2.4 liters, and sometimes with 2.7, a four-speed gearbox A44DE, aka AW03-72, worked. If you don’t remember this, then it was she who stood on the rear-wheel drive Previa and Mark II. And with engines of 2.7 and 3.2 liters for the American market, they began to install a more advanced five-speed TB-50LS / Aisin A750F. She is also a "Toyota" series, and she can also be found on the Lexus LX470, Toyota Tundra and many other cars from this manufacturer. All boxes are very strong and reliable, able to go more than the engine and the whole machine with good maintenance.
The four-speed box is only threatened by overheating due to dirty radiators, extremely cruel treatment with a complete lack of maintenance and runs far beyond 300. For very “racers”, an “early” (with runs from 200 thousand kilometers) failure of the gas turbine engine blocking linings is possible. Then you can wait for the failure of the GDT bushing, its oil seal and oil leakage.
A reliable valve body, reliable electronics and a durable mechanical part leave practically no chance of breaking this harsh unit without the help of “smart” servicemen or by personal efforts. If the box works, then most likely it will continue to work. It is enough to change the oil on time, and even if there are already jerks, you just need to flush the automatic transmission with the valve body removed, and it will go again. Surprising for today's vitality! True, fuel consumption and dynamics are no longer so encouraging.
The five-speed automatic transmission is just as indestructible, but with a run of more than 200 thousand kilometers, you will have to change the solenoids. By 250 thousand mileage, the gas turbine engine blocking linings wear out quite often. And the consequences of working with worn linings come earlier and are more expensive. In general, this is one of the most reliable five-speed transmissions, and also quite dynamic and modern.
Surprisingly, the Grand Vitara's gearboxes are the least of the transmission hassles. Much more troublesome other nodes.
Motors
The most running engines are in-line fours with a volume of 2 and 2.4 liters. Less common are 1.6-liter engines, the old Suzuki V6 2.7-liters were installed only on American cars, but with a 3.2-liter engine from GM (the same as on Chevrolet Captiva) the car was delivered to us officially for some time. Diesel engines were also not officially delivered to us, but cars with a Renault 1.9 engine are still found. All engines are good, although Suzuki's inline-fours are prone to oil appetite, and the 2008 2.4L engines also had problems with a cylinder block that leaked right through the wall. And since modern engines made from incomprehensible waste by stamping aluminum cola cans, it turned out to be almost impossible to brew or somehow eliminate this problem outside the factory. However, more on that below.
Common problems of all motors are related to the design of the cooling system. Radiators are frankly weak, often flowing at the junction of plastic and aluminum parts, and the cover expansion tank does not relieve excess pressure.
A common problem with 1.6 liter and 2.0 liter engines is the passage of gases through the cylinder head gasket. And this also does not contribute to the long and normal life of the cooling system.
Catalysts and weak exhaust system- Another common "trouble" of all Suzuki and GM engines. The catalyst resource is usually less than 200 thousand mileage, and exhaust system often does not survive without losses and up to hundreds of thousands of mileage. Of course, cars that go into the mud and off-road suffer first of all, but even in a car with a purely urban operating mode, the exhaust system looks completely unpresentable already in the fifth or sixth year of service.
Oil leaks due to a very simple crankcase ventilation system and not the best oil seals on inline fours are also a common problem, the weakness of the crankshaft rear oil seal is especially annoying, for the replacement of which you will have to remove the gearbox.
In the photo: Under the hood of Suzuki Grand Vitara 3-door "2008–12 The 2 liter petrol engine is the most common. The design of its very respectable age: the j20a / JB420A series was installed on the previous generation of the model. This motor is 16-valve, with a timing chain drive and is quite reliable. True, his character is not very suitable for a heavy machine. Despite the presence of a phase shifter on the intake shaft, there is not enough thrust at low speeds, but the “tops” are quite lively. The resource of the piston group is quite decent, about 250-300 thousand mileage before overhaul. But this is if you do not allow excessive loss of oil through valve seals and leaks. It does not tolerate a low oil level, it turns off the liners with a guarantee, damaging the crankshaft and block yokes.
Runners prefer thicker oil, at least SAE40. The pressure on engines with runs above one and a half hundred may no longer be enough, and this leads to accelerated wear of the crankshaft liners.
Valve stem seals and seals are a sore point, they will have to be changed quite often. Already after hundreds of thousands of runs, it is recommended to replace the caps so that the piston rings do not coke. At the same time, it is worth cleaning the intake manifold, it is also very dirty.
Pictured: Suzuki Grand Vitara 5-door "2005–08 On a run of 200 thousand, a complete revision of the engine is recommended, and the piston group may still be in excellent condition, but the cylinder head will almost certainly require serious repairs. Fortunately, the motor is very maintainable. There are repair sizes for almost all wear parts, and spare parts do not cost space money. And two repair sizes of pistons are just a holiday at the present time, although they are rarely needed. In a good scenario, you can get by with repairing the cylinder head and replacing the liners, and the piston group will withstand another hundred to one and a half thousand mileage.
Timing chain 2.0 lower
original price
2 668 rubles
The timing chain resource cannot be called gigantic, but it usually takes care of 120-150 thousand, which is a good indicator by now. The main thing is that early breakthroughs of the chain can not be feared. Although cases of the appearance of extraneous noise in the timing with runs of less than a hundred thousand still occur, they do not always end with the replacement of the chain and tensioners.
Ignition modules and spark plugs require constant attention. Otherwise, the consumption increases, and the dynamics drops sharply. Weak spark plug tips need annual maintenance, and spark plugs need to be replaced. Moreover, the motor is sometimes able to “eat up” the iridium Denso, which for some reason are assigned to it according to the passport. This is especially true for engines that are operated on 92nd gasoline. So checking and replacing candles every 30 thousand kilometers is highly recommended. It’s also not necessary to go broke for “platinum” or iridium, ordinary NGKs work just as well.
The engine mounts also do not differ in excessive reliability; with an increase in the level of vibrations, they must be checked. There is a possibility that the motor is already just lying on rubber cushions.
The 2.4 liter engine is very similar to the "little brother", but has several features. Firstly, the block is new, and it is not cast, but stamped from recycled aluminum. And until 2008, the robot at the factory pulled the cylinder head studs. It would seem, what is the connection? It's simple: the material turned out to be weak, the block began to flow over time. A typical problem is an antifreeze leak from the cooling jacket under exhaust manifold. Less common is a leak into the oil. It will not be possible to weld a crack exactly, extruded aluminum does not hold welding, and such procedures are not recommended due to thermal deformation. Reaming and putting a patch from “cold welding”, as is done on cast-iron blocks, will also fail: the block is weak and the vibrations will quickly loosen the patch. Usually the block is simply replaced. Moreover, the shot block assembly is changing. It was this operation that was done with all warranty cars, but there was no revocable company, so you can meet a car with a “leak on board”.
Another nuance is the lack of repair dimensions of the piston group. This is not a critical problem, because the pistons are cheap, and the liners can be removed with liquid nitrogen and replaced. And the materials are quite strong, the resource of the piston group during normal operation is more than 300 thousand kilometers. The crankshaft has one repair size, but the cylinder head must also be replaced when worn. However, there are always options. In general, the motor is also quite successful, and even pleases with a higher thrust, which is so lacking in a heavy machine. But his character is again, torsional, high-speed.
The small 1.6-liter engine on the three-door JB416 is in many ways similar to its two-liter counterpart. It is not considered particularly problematic, but at age it also begins to suffer from oily appetite, which can lead to serious damage.
V6 engines fit the car much better. Both the native Suzuki 2.7 J27 and the GM 3.2, which here received the “name” JB 632. But they are too rare. I have already written about GM motors and will not repeat myself. In short, it has a very successful design, but the timing resource is small and it is very demanding on the operation of the cooling system.
Suzuki's V6 is a little more troublesome. Firstly, the resource of the timing chain is far from unlimited here, but when noise appears on the right cylinder head, it is immediately worth changing the entire timing kit, it is prone to jumping, as a result of which the valves on one of the cylinder heads bend, and on the second they work normally, so the timing mechanism is already arranged. Usually the consequences are even worse than when the circuit breaks. The motor continues to run, tearing off valve heads and grinding pistons and cylinders. There will be nothing left to repair. Of the pluses - the presence of repair dimensions and a common resource. But with spare parts, everything is quite complicated, such machines were not supplied to us, and there are not many of them in Japan. However, about the features of contract motors a whole paragraph below.
For most Japanese cars, you can easily purchase contract units from Japan. This means guaranteed high quality and not a high price for motors. But in Suzuki's case, something went wrong. Motors of 2.0, 2.4 and 2.7 liters are difficult to purchase inexpensively. Prices even beyond the Urals start at 80 thousand rubles for the JB420A, and the V6 is even more expensive. You will have to repair the motor, but only if there is something to repair there. In addition, a fairly large number of versions of the block and piston group will cause a lot of trouble. The lack of mounting holes in the block and a completely different cylinder head can be an unpleasant surprise for those who replace power unit assembled. In general, in terms of parts, Suzuki is not a typical Japanese car. Maybe this is a view from the European part of Russia, but everything is different with you? Are there specialists who can pick up the right node and sellers who sell it for a penny? Maybe so. But to warn future owners about this "nuance" is definitely worth it.
In the photo: Under the hood of Suzuki Grand Vitara 5-door "2008–12 Renault diesel engines are rare, but a few reviews indicate that they proved to be very mediocre, if not worse.
Pictured: Suzuki Grand Vitara 3-door "2005–08 Summary
Suzuki Grand Vitara is very interesting from a technical point of view. Indeed, under a typical crossover appearance, a real “rogue” is hidden. Only now, its capabilities will still not be used to its fullest, because they buy it precisely as a crossover. And in this incarnation, he is not very strong. It rides hard, it manages mediocrely, and you don’t have to nod to all-wheel drive, it just doesn’t contribute to good handling. Vitara eats a lot of fuel and is much more difficult to maintain than a typical crossover with a motor "across" and a clutch in the rear wheel drive.
Pictured: Suzuki Grand Vitara 5-door "2012–present True, Suzuki tried very hard to make it strong. The Grand Vitara has very good engines, excellent automatic transmissions and a strong body that can withstand tough off-road use. But the old joke comes to mind: “Mom, why do we need all these bells and whistles in the zoo”? That's what I don't understand. But if you are looking for serious car for serious tasks, then consider this car. With a little preparation, it will outdo many larger and heavier players, and at the same time it will be much more convenient in everyday use.
Hello!
So I decided to write a review on a whim. I admit honestly - I didn’t even go to the car market for a year.
Here the machines ceased to be interested and that's it).
Vitara bought unexpectedly. I owned an SX-4 for 2 years and sold it with 92,000 miles. The car was completely fine. Not satisfied only throughput. Wanted SX -4 all-wheel drive and put on more aggressive tires. Jeep drivers will smile, of course). I didn’t expect miracles - I just had to drive to the dacha after the rain along the country road and black soil 700 meters up the hill and that’s it. On the last evening before the order, my wife and I simply decided that finances, it seems, allow us - we will try to buy a more interesting car. Moreover, they looked at her while still being students.
Vitara came 2 weeks later with a white interior) The manager somehow uncertainly told us this fact, and we decided - yes, figs with him - we’ll wash it off, if that))).
First impressions - it is really bigger, heavier and lazier than a passenger car. POWER RESERVE. like a steamboat). We don't swim - we WALK).
Vitara surprised me. I had a right-handed Pajero mini. Climbed, by the way, is better. A joke in another - Vitara - a universal car. It is Universal - with a capital letter. Not as mega-technological and mega-universal as many others who have service through 3 streets. With a bunch of buttons, heating and other garbage. It's just comfortable and durable. And simple. Without turbines and viscous couplings.
My wife and I fell in love with fishing, trips for mushrooms and traveling around our Russia.
Somehow stimulates Vitara to go on a picnic in the nearest forest.
I think many caught themselves thinking: "I will not sell this car." That's what you think when you like a car. The first car that gave rise to such thoughts was the Vitara.
If anyone needs performance characteristics, look for them at Yandexauto or an auto market. And I'm trying to write the feeling of owning a car.
Vitara pros:
You can PUNCH your 120 on ANY road. The first smile - why 120? Because we have weak oil seals and it is not recommended to accelerate faster). It can be faster when overtaking, but I try to adhere to this rule. But the relief of the road, really do not care. Rescues the energy intensity of the suspension and 70 profile at 16 radius and 225 width. There are no hernias for a year and the discs did not rule, the shock absorbers are intact.
Eats 92 and 95 AI. We refuel at proven gas stations 95m, as it is written on the hatch, if possible
Very good cross-country ability. Much worse than professionally trained SUVs and even ... stock 3-door fields. This is not a banter, just the patency of the Vitara is an interesting thing. It ends abruptly. No hints. I was driving and suddenly stood up. Up to a certain point, all crossovers are completely torn apart, it rides nicely, but it doesn’t give a feeling of confidence - it strives to slip into any wet rut from the UAZ and spend the night there until the morning. YouTube videos are a good selection of moments when the Vitara did not sit down. So don't be offended fans!
A good trunk for transporting bulky items, only the dimensions of the item should not exceed 1 * 1 * 1 m - this is how our seats fold out. With a long oversize - a problem - the second-row seats fold out, dividing the Vitara in half. Accordingly, a roll of mesh netting, 1.5 meters long, already fits back to back.
She survived a difficult repair - she carried mixtures in bags, tiles, barite plaster. 350-400 kg easily for 100 km. I think this is a very confident plus in the rating. Any furniture in boxes from Ikea also went well and plump. Naturally, the car didn’t hit the pits like that and drove quietly. But arrived without problems and further services.
Now there are 2 cars in the family: my wife's Solaris (I will write about it separately, because I was surprised) and my Vitara. So a trip to Karelia is planned in the winter. What car will go, I think, no need to explain. It is her element that lies ahead, so let's give her a chance and write a review later (if anyone is interested)
Dynamics on the highway - 2 liters 140 horses, mechanics - like an ordinary passenger car. . Who are interested in the numbers: 5th gear 100 km / h-3000 rpm. In the city with traffic lights, very tight and slow. Well, not her these loads)
About the cons.
They are few, but worth noting.
Petrol. Everything is known in comparison, especially when we look at the price of $ in recent times.
We are waiting for the corresponding prices for 95, as it was the last 2 years. Vitara eats gasoline with a good appetite. You don't notice it while she's alone in the family. When Solaris appeared, unexpectedly more often began to ride it. And it's not just about the expense, although the difference is at least 50 percent.
The difference is simply in the driving experience. Solaris is light. He is a car. This box, which is included in any gear and at any speed. Vitara has a box, like any Suzuki, tight and slurred. But reliable.
If possible, I take Solaris for the city. On the highway - only Vitara.
What are the disadvantages of Vitara I see. Benz is the first, but not the main one. Possibly significant for many users. Second, well, it does not correspond to talk about mega-passability. I would even say that she can climb much better, but there are three BIG design flaws:
Little ground clearance. Incomplete 200 mm with protection is very small
Front bumper with protection - a plastic curtain that blocks off the radiator - well, you can't do that 4 WD! Any bump on the country road in resonance - and we have a broken radiator and we do not go further. FINISH. I hit the bumps 2 times - just lucky. And you can’t go through the sections more slowly - you sit down.
Silumin rear gear with CV joints, this is generally without comment. For some reason, no one pays attention to this, but I caught bumps in a rut with this gearbox 2 times. When a stone comes across - Vitara will go home on a tow truck.
And still I love her. It can do a lot in stock. There are not enough stars from the sky, but he doesn’t constantly go to services either. I will add a review later. Now 63,000 km of run. The car is out of warranty, no problems, serviced after 10,000 km. by manual.
I am very glad if someone found the information useful. Good luck on the roads!