2005 Suzuki Grand Vitara 4 Dr LX 4WD SUV

Adding the four-wheel drive system to the 2005 Suzuki Grand Vitara LX 4WD ensures more secure road grip on slippery pavement and, thanks to both high and low-range gearing, more capable off-road performance. The system should not be used on dry pavement. As a 4WD Grand Vitara, it also gets standard 4-wheel ABS brakes. The compact SUV seats four or five in two rows, with split-folding rear seats, and legroom measurements of 41 inches up front and 30.6 in the back. The cargo area comes equipped with a cover and tiedowns, with the option to add a cargo net. The rear window gets its own wiper, in addition to the front intermittent wipers. A roof rack comes in handy when the 50 cubic feet of cargo space (with the rear seats down) gets too full.

Powering all this is a 165-hp, 2.5-liter DOHC V6 with 162 ft-lbs of torque at 4000 RPM. The 2005 Grand Vitara LX 4WD has a choice of 5-speed manual or 4-speed automatic. Fuel economy hovers around 17/20 mpg. Upgrading to the 4WD gets you standard 4-wheel ABS in addition to the 4-wheel disc brakes. Dual front airbags, 16-inch steel wheels, automatic headlights, and daytime running lights make up the bulk of the safety features. The LX 4WD still earns four and five stars in the NHTSA crash tests, and the highest "good" ranking with the IIHS. Skid plates and a full-sized spare are also part of the package.

A full power setup includes remote entry and wheel-mounted cruise control. Heated mirrors, a CD player, intermittent wipers, a rear window wiper, tilt steering, a tachometer, automatic climate control, and electroluminescent gauges are also standard in the 2005 Grand Vitara LX 4WD.