An open hood exposes one reason Suzuki people are boastful. They claim this new engine now makes this sport utility vehicle the most powerful in its class. Exactly what class, I'm not sure, but I suspect the category is rather small. Its size is the one feature that I liked most about this vehicle. Compared to other sport utes, the Grand Vitara is short, effortless to climb into and very easy to maneuver.
Parking is a cinch.
But that's not the only advantage of its diminutive size. I drove this vehicle through a wooded test-drive area and found it easy to squeeze between trees and other obstacles that larger SUVs aren't able to negotiate. 2000 Limited Grand Vitara offers more than what you see on the outside. I put low gear to a test on a very steep hill in this wooded area and was quite pleased in the way it responded. In a rocky area requiring decent ground clearance, this vehicle did fine.