And given the recent flurry of news reports about the ''environmental impact'' of SUVs, Suzuki could be poised to build some serious market share with its new rig. The four door Grand Vitara is bigger than any of its Sidekick and Samurai predecessors, but it still falls into a compact category in the SUV market. Even so, it'll handle almost any chore the bigger rigs are capable of. It certainly gives up nothing in styling to its more expensive rivals. It looks great from every angle and has a purposeful, wide-track, brawny stance that I find really attractive.
Many models come with a very attractive two-tone paint job.
The Grand Vitara doesn't look compact until you put it alongside a Jeep Grand Cherokee or Ford Explorer. Although this is a relatively inexpensive SUV, it gives visual the impression of being quite upscale. Rugged composite bodyside cladding, which extends around the wheel arches, is an excellent protective feature and it looks good too. The rear door swings open and provides easy access to a roomy cargo deck - which can be expanded by folding the back seats. I suppose that with a compact SUV, there just isn't the room to locate the spare either inside or under the load deck.