Suzuki Grand Vitara

Name: 2012 Suzuki Grand Vitara
Brand: Suzuki

EPA MPG: 21 mpg

Owner Reported MPG:

EPA MPG: 21 mpg

Owner Reported MPG:

RECALL ALERT: There are 2 recalls on this vehicle. Learn More.

There are 2 recalls on this vehicle. Learn More.

RECALL ALERT: There are 2 recalls on this vehicle. Learn More.

There are 2 recalls on this vehicle. Learn More.

Reliability Details

Owner Satisfaction Details

See All Ratings & Specs

Road Test

Though this version of the Suzuki Grand Vitara falls far short of the best in this class, it does have some virtues. Equipped with its standard four-cylinder engine, the powertrain is sluggish, lacks refinement, and is not very economical with fuel. The ride is stiff and choppy, and handling lacks agility. Despite its everyday clumsiness, emergency handling is very secure. Other good points include a spacious rear seat and a generous list of standard amenities.

2012 SUVs Reliability

This Car

100

0 - 100

Suzuki Grand Vita...

Suzuki Grand Vitara

vs. Similar Cars

Chevrolet Equinox

Ford Escape

GMC Terrain

Honda CR-V

Hyundai Tucson

See All Models Reliability

Crash Tests

IIHS Front Moderate Overlap

Good

IIHS Front Small Overlap, Driver

IIHS Side Crash

Acceptable

NHTSA Overall Crash

NHTSA Overall Frontal-Crash

NHTSA Overall Side-Crash

See All Ratings & Specs

Crash Tests

IIHS Front Moderate Overlap

Good

IIHS Front Small Overlap, Driver

IIHS Side Crash

Acceptable

NHTSA Overall Crash

NHTSA Overall Frontal-Crash

NHTSA Overall Side-Crash

See All Ratings & Specs

Owner Reports

Owner Satisfaction Owner Satisfaction

2000

2001

2002

2003

2004

2005

2006

2007

2008

2009

2010

2011

2012

2013

2014

2015

2016

2017

2018

2019

2020

2021

2022

2023

2024

2025

Driving Experience

Comfort

Value

Crash Tests

IIHS Front Moderate Overlap

Good

IIHS Front Small Overlap, Driver

IIHS Side Crash

Acceptable

NHTSA Overall Crash

NHTSA Overall Frontal-Crash

NHTSA Overall Side-Crash

See All Ratings & Specs

2012 Compact SUVs Ratings

2012 Suzuki Grand Vitara

$4,175 - $5,575

EPA MPG 21 mpg

Road test

Reliability

Owner Satisfaction

2012 Chevrolet Captiva Sport

$3,375 - $4,300

EPA MPG NA

Road test

Reliability

Owner Satisfaction

2012 Chevrolet Equinox

$4,225 - $4,875

EPA MPG 20 mpg

Road test

Reliability

Owner Satisfaction

2012 Ford Escape

$4,200 - $5,775

EPA MPG 20 mpg

Road test

Reliability

Owner Satisfaction

2012 Ford Escape Hybrid

$4,200 - $5,775

EPA MPG 28 mpg

Road test

Reliability

Owner Satisfaction

2012 GMC Terrain

$5,075 - $5,750

EPA MPG 23 mpg

Road test

Reliability

Owner Satisfaction

2012 Honda CR-V

$7,675 - $10,850

EPA MPG 25 mpg

Road test

Reliability

Owner Satisfaction

2012 Hyundai Tucson

$4,800 - $6,325

EPA MPG 24 mpg

Road test

Reliability

Owner Satisfaction

2012 Infiniti EX

$4,625 - $7,725

EPA MPG 19 mpg

Road test

Reliability

Owner Satisfaction

2012 Jeep Compass

$4,225 - $5,025

EPA MPG 23 mpg

Road test

Reliability

Owner Satisfaction

2012 Jeep Liberty

$4,700 - $5,925

EPA MPG 17 mpg

Road test

Reliability

Owner Satisfaction

2012 Jeep Patriot

$3,425 - $5,175

EPA MPG 23 mpg

Road test

Reliability

Owner Satisfaction

2012 Kia Sportage

$4,450 - $6,150

EPA MPG 22 mpg

Road test

Reliability

Owner Satisfaction

2012 Mitsubishi Outlander

$4,225 - $5,025

EPA MPG 22 mpg

Road test

Reliability

Owner Satisfaction

2012 Nissan Rogue

$4,100 - $5,000

EPA MPG 23 mpg

Road test

Reliability

Owner Satisfaction

2012 Nissan Xterra

$5,750 - $8,125

EPA MPG 18 mpg

Road test

Reliability

Owner Satisfaction

2012 Subaru Forester

$5,600 - $6,500

EPA MPG 23 mpg

Road test

Reliability

Owner Satisfaction

2012 Toyota FJ Cruiser

$15,150 - $17,475

EPA MPG 19 mpg

Road test

Reliability

Owner Satisfaction

2012 Toyota RAV4

$7,850 - $9,525

EPA MPG 23 mpg

Road test

Reliability

Owner Satisfaction

2012 Volkswagen Tiguan

$4,625 - $5,675

EPA MPG 23 mpg

Road test

Reliability

Owner Satisfaction

See All Compact SUVs Ratings

Features & Specs

4-door SUV

2 front, 3 rear

4WD, AWD, Rear

2.4-liter 4 (166 hp)

5-speed manual
4-speed automatic

Join Consumer Reports cu. ft.

In most cases, automotive warranties are based on the vehicle identification number (VIN), and the warranty will be valid regardless of ownership. The dealership can tell you exactly how much warranty is left.

Read more about extended warranties

See All Ratings & Specs

Model History

2009-2013

2009 Redesign Year

A 2.4-liter four-cylinder is new and a more powerful V6 also arrived for 2009. Though this version of the Suzuki Grand Vitara falls far short of the best in this class, it does have some virtues. Equipped with its standard four-cylinder engine, the powertrain is sluggish, lacks refinement, and is not very economical with fuel. The ride is stiff and choppy, and handling lacks agility. Despite its everyday clumsiness, emergency handling is very secure. Other good points include a spacious rear seat and a generous list of standard amenities.

2006-2008

2006 Redesign Year

Before 2004, the body-on-frame Vitara SUV was available as a two-door soft-top, four-door wagon and extended-length wagon. We found the V6 sluggish, its power blunted by its automatic transmission. In fact, we've found all Vitaras to be slow, noisy, and uncomfortable. The redesigned 2006 Grand Vitara brought unibody construction and a fully independent suspension. The V6 was still sluggish and returned just 18 mpg. The stiff, jittery ride, vague steering and reluctant handling didn't impress us either.

1999-2005

1999 Redesign Year

With its body-on-frame design, the Sidekick lacks the ride-and-handling refinement of more modern, car- based SUVs. Early models are plagued by slow steering and a lack of power. The Sidekick was discontinued in 1998 and replaced by the Vitara, which is available as a two-door soft-top and a four-door hardtop. A 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine is standard. The four-door Grand Vitara packs a stronger 2.5-liter V6 and more standard equipment. Though a novelty in this class, the Six feels sluggish, its power blunted by the automatic transmission. We've found all of these vehicles to be slow, noisy, and uncomfortable.