Highlights for 2002

Suzuki's best-selling line offers more V6 power and some new features for 2002. Vitara is a 4-cyl convertible or wagon, the Grand Vitara is a V6 wagon. Grand Vitaras, which gain 10 hp for '02, outsell Vitaras 2-1. Both come in JLS and JLX models, with Grand Vitara also offering a Limited version. All offer rear-wheel drive or 4WD that must be disengaged on dry pavement but includes low-range gearing. Automatic transmission is optional. ABS is available only on Grand Vitaras, where it's standard on the Limited and optional on JLX. The Limited is newly available with heated front seats, and 4WD Limiteds now come with heated door mirrors. All gain rear child-seat mountings with upper and lower anchors and tethers. Chevrolet's Tracker shares this Suzuki-sourced body-on-frame design, but differs in models and features. Vitara/Grand Vitara matches equivalent Trackers in performance and accommodations.

Competition Ignored in the past, compact SUVs are now some of the hottest-selling vehicles around. Though our Best Buys, the Honda CR-V, Ford Escape, and Mazda Tribute don't offer true off-road ability, they do mix ride comfort, cargo capacity, and versatility with all-weather traction. The V6 Tribute/Escape offers more power, comfort, and space than any in its class.

Another car-based mini-SUV, the Subaru Forester, is our Recommended choice. Like the CR-V it doesn't have a low range for serious off-road use, but it blends excellent on-road manners with SUV styling.

  

Road Test Ratings JLX wgn 4WD, auto. Grand Limited 4WD, auto. Acceleration 1 3 Four-cyl Vitaras are pokey even with manual transmission. Our 2001 automatic 4x4 Grand wagon took a lazy 11.5 sec. 0-60 mph. A 2002 will be little if any quicker despite its extra hp, because torque is up by only 2 lb-ft. Fuel Economy 5 4 Automatic 4x4s have averaged 17.9-20.7 mpg in our tests, slightly worse than the 4-cyl Honda CR-V but better than most larger 6-cyl 4x4s. Expect similar results for the '02 models. Ride Quality 2 2 Uncomfortably choppy on all but smooth surfaces regardless of model, though wagons slightly better than the shorter-wheelbase convertibles. Steering/Handling/Braking 2 2 Dull steering, modest grip, and marked body lean in hard cornering, mediocre crosswind resistance. Hard stops induce marked nosedive and some rear-wheel locking even with ABS. Suzuki's 4WD is less-convenient than rival systems on-road, somewhat more capable off-road. Quietness 2 2 Noise levels from all sources relatively high. Grand models' V6 is disappointingly coarse and throbby, but more refined than Vitara's 4-cyl. Instruments/Controls/Interior Materials 3 3 Generally clear and handy. Interior decor looks low-budget even in top-line, leather-upholstered Grand Limiteds. Room/Comfort/Driver Seating (front) 3 3 Plenty of head room, adequate leg room, but hip and shoulder room tight. Reasonable step-in height for the class. Rear visibility poor, especially top-up in convertibles. Room/Comfort (rear) 3 3 OK head clearance but very little leg room--perhaps Vitara's worst feature. Narrow rear doors impede access on wagons; convertible entry/exit plain awkward. Back seats hard and upright in all models. Cargo Room 6 6 Limited even for compact SUVs. Curbside loading complicated in both body types by cargo doors that swing right instead of left. Convertible's roof is a complex chore to raise or lower. Value within Class 2 2 No standout in any way in any form. Low-range 4WD is a plus off-road, but few buyers need it. Any of our Also Consider choices offers superior refinement, room, comfort, and all-around performance. Totals 29 30

 

Ratings: Maximum 10 points per category

 

Engines	dohc I4	dohc V6
Size, liters/cu. in	2.0/122	2.5/152
Horsepower @ rpm	127 @ 6000	165 @ 6500
Torque (lb-ft) @ rpm	134 @ 3000	162 @ 4000
Availability	Standard1	Standard2

 

EPA city / highway mpg

 

5-speed manual	22/25	19/213
4-speed automatic	22/25	18/204

 

Notes: 1. Vitara. 2. Grand Vitara. 3. 19/22 w/2WD. 4. 19/21 w/2WD.   Engine Key: l/cu. in. = liters/cubic inches; ohv = overhead valve; ohc = overhead camshaft; dohc = dual overhead camshaft; I = inline cylinders; H = horizontally opposed cylinders; V = cylinders in a V configuration; W = cylinders in a W configuration; rpm = revolutions per minute; CVT = continuously variable (automatic) transmission; NA = not available; "--" = measurement does not exist.

 

Specifications	Suzuki Vitara 2-door convertible	Suzuki Vitara 4-door wagon
Wheelbase, in.	86.6	97.6
Overall Length, in.	152.0	163.0
Overall Width, in.	67.3	67.3
Overall Height, in.	65.8	65.8
Curb Weight, lbs.	2877	3053
Cargo Volume, cu. ft.	33.7	44.7
Standard Payload, lbs.	--	--
Fuel Capacity, gals.	14.8	16.9
Seating Capacity	4	5
Front Head Room, in.	40.9	39.9
Max. Front Leg Room, in.	41.4	41.4
Rear Head Room, in.	39.5	39.6
Min. Rear Leg Room, in.	35.9	35.9

 

Towing / Payload Capacity Vitara models have payload ranges from 705 lb to 760 lb. Grand models have a payload rating of 926 lb. The 2-door Vitara can tow up to 1000 lb, while 4-door Vitaras tow up to 1500 lb. Grand Vitara tows up to 1300 lb. Specifications Key: NA = not available; "--" = measurement does not exist.

 

NHTSA Crash Test Results Suzuki Vitara 2-door convertible Suzuki Vitara 4-door wagon Crash Test Driver NA 4 Crash Test Passenger NA 4 Rollover Resistance 3 3 Side Impact 4 4 Side Impact Rear Passenger 5 5

 

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) tests a vehicle's crashworthiness in front- and side-impact collisions and rates its resistance to rollovers. Their test results suggest the chance of serious injury, while rollover resistance ratings are based on how top heavy the vehicle is and indicate the chance for rollover when the vehicle leaves the roadway. Front crash test numbers indicate: 5 = 10% or less; 4 = 10-20%; 3 = 20-35%; 2 = 35-45%; 1 = More than 45%. Side impact numbers indicate: 5 = 5% or less; 4 = 6-10%; 3 = 11-20%; 2 = 21-25%; 1 = More than 26%. Rollover resistance numbers indicate: 5 = Less than 10%; 4 = 10-20%; 3 = 20-30%; 2 = 30-40%; 1 = More than 40%.

 

Standard Equipment
JLS/JLX convertible	Powertrain 2.0-liter dohc 4-cylinder engine, 5-speed manual or 4-speed automatic transmission Safety dual front airbags, daytime running lights Comfort and Convenience Features air conditioning, interior air filter, power steering, tilt steering wheel, cloth upholstery, front bucket seats, center console, cupholders, folding rear seat, power mirrors, power windows, power door locks, AM/FM/CD player, tachometer, variable-intermittent wipers, automatic headlights Appearance and Miscellaneous folding convertible top Special Purpose, Wheels and Tires full-size spare tire, 215/65R16 tires, 4WD adds: 4-wheel drive, 2-speed transfer case
JLS/JLX wagon adds to JLS/JLX convertible:	Comfort and Convenience Features cruise control, remote keyless entry, cargo cover, rear defogger, rear wiper/washer Appearance and Miscellaneous roof rails Special Purpose, Wheels and Tires Deletes: folding convertible top Adds: 4WD adds: 4-wheel drive, 2-speed transfer case
Grand JLS/JLX adds to JLS/JLX wagon:	Powertrain 2.5-liter dohc V6 engine Comfort and Convenience Features split folding rear seat, visor mirrors Appearance and Miscellaneous rear privacy glass Special Purpose, Wheels and Tires 235/60R16 tires, 4WD adds: 4-wheel drive, 2-speed transfer case, heated power mirrors
Grand Limited adds to Grand JLS/JLX:	Powertrain 4-speed automatic transmission Safety antilock brakes Comfort and Convenience Features leather upholstery, leather-wrapped steering wheel, power sunroof, AM/FM/cassette/CD player Appearance and Miscellaneous fog lights Special Purpose, Wheels and Tires alloy wheels, 4WD adds: 4-wheel drive, 2-speed transfer case, heated power mirrors

 The vitara v6 pictures are in the photo album with all the others.

Suzuki Vitara V6 Base Snapshot

Engine Specs:  2.5L V-6 165HP

Transmission:  5-spd man w/OD

Fuel Economy City:  19.0 mpg

Fuel Economy Highway:  22.0 mpg

 

Power train
2.5L V-6 DOHC MPI 24 valve engine 80 amp alternator 700 CCA 65 amp hours (Ah) battery 5-speed manual transmission with overdrive Rear-wheel drive 4.30 axle ratio Stainless steel exhaust LEV emissions

 

Steering and Suspension

Hydraulic power-assist rack and pinion steering Front disc/rear drum brakes with front vented discs Front independent suspension Front strut suspension Front anti-roll bar Front coil springs Gas-pressurized front shocks Rigid rear axle Rear multi-link suspension Rear coil springs Gas-pressurized rear shocks Front and rear 16.0" x 6.50" silver styled steel wheels Hub wheel covers P215/65SR16.0 BSW AS front and rear tires Outside rear mounted full-size spare tire Steel spare wheel

 

Seating and Interior

Capacity of 5 Bucket front seats Adjustable front head restraints 4-way adjustable driver seat 4-way adjustable passenger seat 60-40 folding rear flip forward cushion/seatback split-bench seats 2 adjustable rear head restraints Cloth faced front seats with cloth side and back Cloth faced rear seats with carpet side and back Cloth door trim insert Full cloth headliner Full carpet floor covering

 

Comfort and Convenience

Air conditioning Air filter Under seat ducts AM/FM stereo, clock, seek-scan, with in-dash CD 4 speakers Fixed antenna Cruise control Power door locks Remote keyless entry key fob (all doors) Child safety rear door locks Tailgate/rear door lock included with power doors Driver's foot rest 2 12V DC power accessory outlets Ashtray Front lighter element Analogue instrumentation display Tachometer Engine temperature gauge Trip odometer Oil pressure warning Battery warning Key in ignition warning Steering wheel with tilt adjustment Power front windows Power rear windows, power rearmost windows Light tinted windows Driver 1-touch down window Variable intermittent front windshield wipers Rear window wiper Rear window defroster Dual auxiliary visors, passenger side vanity mirror Day-night rear-view mirror Dome light Front reading lights Variable IP lighting Full floor console with storage Locking glove box Front cup holder Instrument panel bin 2 seatback storage pockets Driver and passenger door bins Rear door bins Front under seat Carpeted cargo floor, plastic trunk lid/rear cargo door Rigid cargo cover Cargo tie downs Cargo light

 

Safety

Daytime running lights, centre high mounted stop light Dual airbags Front height adjustable seatbelts

 

Dimensions and Capacities
Door Count	4 doors
Maximum Cargo Volume	50.2cu.ft.
Exterior Length	163.0"
Exterior Width	67.3"
Exterior Height	65.0"
Wheelbase	98"
Front Tread	58"
Rear Tread	58"
Turning Radius	17.4'
Gross Vehicle Weight Rating	3,990lbs.
Curb Weight	3,075lbs.
Front Gross Axle Weight Rating	1,874lbs.
Rear Gross Axle Weight Rating	2,315lbs.
Payload	882lbs.
Max Trailer Weight	1,500lbs.
Drag Coefficient	.45
Front Legroom	41.4"
Rear Legroom	30.6"
Front Headroom	39.9"
Rear Headroom	39.6"
Front Hip room	50.7"
Rear Hip room	46.8"
Front Shoulder Room	52.8"
Rear Shoulder Room	52.6"
Passenger Volume	83cu.ft.
Interior Cargo Volume	23.4cu.ft.
Interior Cargo Volume w/Seats Folded	50.2cu.ft.

 

Exterior Features

Front and rear mud flaps 1 skid plate(s) Side impact bars Fully galvanized steel body material Black body-side moulding Black fender flares Black side window mouldings Black front windshield moulding Black rear window moulding Black door handles Black grille 4 doors Conventional rear cargo door Roof rack rails only Dual power remote black outside mirrors Front and rear black bumpers 1 front and rear tow hook Rear step bumper Aero-composite halogen auto on headlamps Clear coat monotone paint

 

Warranty (months/miles)
Bumper to Bumper	36/36,000
Major Components	84/100,000
Rust Through	36/unlimited
Roadside Assistance	36/36,000
Accessories	12/unlimited