Review: Suzuki JT.I Grand Vitara (2008-12)

Overview

Released in August 2008, the Suzuki JT Series I (JT.I) Grand Vitara was available as a three- or five-door four-wheel-drive wagon. Manufactured in Shizuoka, Japan, the JT Grand Vitara introduced a new 2.4-litre four-cylinder and 3.2-litre V6 petrol engines, replacing the 1.6-, 2.0- and 2.7-litre units; fuel economy was also improved for the 1.9-litre turbo-diesel four-cylinder engine. The full range is given in the table below.

Based on the same platform as the JB Grand Vitara , the three-door JT Grand Vitara was 4060 mm long, 1810 mm wide, 1695 mm tall and had a 2440 mm long wheelbase. The five-door models, however, were 440 mm longer (at 4500 mm) and had 200 mm longer wheelbases (2640 mm). Furthermore, the JT Grand Vitara had MacPherson strut front suspension and independent, multi-link rear suspension.

Suzuki JT.I Grand Vitara specifications
Body	Variant	Years	Engine	Trans.	Peak power	Peak torque
3 door	GV3	2008-12	2.4-litre petrol I4	4sp auto, 5sp man.	122 kW at 6000 rpm	225 Nm at 4000 rpm
5 door	DDiS	2008-12	1.9-litre turbo-diesel I4	5sp man.	95 kW at 3750 rpm	300 Nm at 2000 rpm
	N/A	2008-12	2.4-litre petrol I4	4sp auto, 5sp man.	122 kW at 6000 rpm	225 Nm at 4000 rpm
	Prestige	2008-12
	Adventure	2010
	Urban	2010-11
	Sport	2011-12
	Prestige	2008-11	3.2-litre petrol V6	5sp auto	165 kW at 6200 rpm	284 Nm at 3500 rpm

4WD system

The JB Grand Vitara had a permanent four-wheel drive system with a torque-sensing centre differential. The three-door 1.6-litre models had a single high-ratio gear, while the five-door models had a two-speed transfer case. As such, the five-door models had the following selectable drive modes which could be engaged ‘on the fly’ via a dashboard-mounted switch:

4H: four-wheel drive (47:53 front:rear torque split) and high-range gearing;
4H Lock: four-wheel drive with the centre differential locked and high range gearing; and,
4L Lock: four-wheel drive with the centre differential locked and low range gearing.

The 3.2-litre V6 Prestige variant was also fitted with hill descent control and hill hold control.

Safety equipment

Standard safety equipment for the JT.I Grand Vitara across the range included dual front airbags, front side airbags, full-length curtain airbags (i.e. for front and rear occupants), ABS, electronic brake force distribution, brake assist, electronic stability control, traction control and front seatbelts with pretensioners and load limiters.

Features: Grand Vitara, GV3 and Prestige

Standard features for the Grand Vitara GV3 included a four speaker sound system with CD player and MP3-compatibility, climate control air conditioning, automatic headlights, split and folding rear seats, remote central locking, power mirrors and windows, tinted windows, trip computer and immobiliser. Beyond this, the five-door models added cruise control.

The Grand Vitara Prestige was further equipped with 17-inch alloy wheels, a seven speaker sound system (including subwoofer) with six-stack CD player, leather seats, front fog lamps, proximity key, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, courtesy lamps, a power sunroof and woodgrain interior trim. The 2.7-litre V6 Prestige variant was also fitted with high intensity discharge (HID) projector headlights with washers, hill hold control and hill descent control.

September 2011: Grand Vitara update

In September 2011, the Grand Vitara underwent a minor update as retail prices were generally lowered, except for the Prestige variants. As part of the update, Bluetooth connectivity was fitted as standard for the five-door models, while the Prestige variants were further equipped with rear parking sensors.

2010 Grand Vitara Adventure

In March 2010, a limited-run Adventure edition was released. Compared to the standard 2.4-litre Grand Vitara, the Grand Vitara Adventure was fitted with Bluetooth connectivity, front nudge bar, a bonnet protector and roof racks.

Grand Vitara Urban

In August 2010, the Grand Vitara Urban was released. Compared to the standard 2.4-litre Grand Vitara, the Urban variant was fitted with 17-inch alloy wheels, Bluetooth mobile phone connectivity and rear parking sensors.

Grand Vitara Sport

In October 2011, the Grand Vitara Sport was released. Compared to the standard Vitara with the 2.4-litre petrol engine, the Sport featured 18-inch alloy wheels, grey and black ‘Bombora Aqua’ seat fabric, hill hold control and hill descent control. Visually, the Sport variant could be identified by its revised grille and silver-finish roof rails and side strips.