To enjoy the full utility, however, buyers should opt for the Select-Shift 4WD system, which can be activated by a lever just south of the shifter. The body itself was improved by strengthening the ladderbox frame. Road noise has been quelled by putting asphalt between the wheels and the passenger compartment. Yes, a five millimeter-thick asphalt sheet is located strategically in the dash, over the transmission tunnel, and over the wheel wells. Rocks hitting the undercarriage were pleasantly muted, however, by the asphalt layer of protection.
Feedback is damped, begging the driver to seek out more challenging terrain.
The Sidekick, er, Grand Vitara, is a contender. It gives Honda, Toyota, Subaru and other copycats something to reckon with in terms of available power and off-road dynamics. Even General Motors, partner and seller of the Vitara-twin Chevrolet Tracker cannot compete for the Suzuki power title. The V6 is offered only on the Grand Vitara, thus making the prefix more than an aspiration. Where the Grand Vitara fails is with its interior ergonomics.