2008 Suzuki Grand Vitara Trims and Specs

This rear-wheel-drive compact SUV may be the starter trim in the lineup, but it comes loaded with features. The 2008 Grand Vitara Base rides on a four-wheel independent suspension, with a Macpherson front strut and multilink rear suspension and 16-inch wheels with all-season tires. A 2.7-liter, 24-valve, DOHC V6 gets 185 hp and 184 ft-lbs of torque at 4,500 RPM and is paired with either a 5-speed manual or automatic. Towing capacity maxes out at 3,000 pounds. For 2008, the Base adds a standard tire monitor and a remote gas door release.

Earning four stars in frontal impact and five in side impact crash tests, the 2008 Grand Vitara Base is fully equipped with 4-wheel disc and ABS brakes with electronic brakeforce distribution, traction and stability control, rollover sensors, automatic halogen headlamps, and dual front-side and side curtain airbags for both rows. Comfort and convenience is taken care of by power windows, locks, and mirrors, wheel-mounted cruise and audio controls for the CD/MP3 player, remote entry, and a trip computer. A tachometer, temperature display, and compass reside on the dash. Intermittent front and rear wipers, automatic climate control, three power outlets (including one in the cargo area), and six cupholders round out the features. The folding rear seats also recline, and the cargo capacity increases from 24.4 to 69 cubic feet. Tie-downs, a net, and a soft cover are standard, and a hard cover costs extra.

Other extras come from the dealer and include an iPod jack, Bluetooth, side step rails and running boards, a rear spoiler, and a tow hitch. Satellite radio, a 6-CD changer, and foglights are other options for the 2008 Grand Vitara Base.

Identical to its rear-wheel-drive sibling, but better equipped for off-road adventure, the 2008 Suzuki Grand Vitara Base 4WD features a full-time four-mode all-wheel-drive system with both high- and low-range gearing. The system defaults to rear-wheel-drive mode, but also offers 4H, which distributes torque to the front wheels, and both 4H Lock and 4L Lock, where the locking center differential kicks in. Skid plates and 7.9 inches of ground clearance offer more protection. Powering this compact SUV is a 185-hp, 2.7-liter DOHC V6 with 184 ft-lbs of torque and a 17/22 mpg rating. A 5-speed manual and automatic are the two available transmissions.

Seating four in two rows, the rear seats of the 2008 Grand Vitara Base 4WD recline and split-fold flat, expanding cargo space from 24 to 69 cubic feet. An optional roof rack adds more space. The cargo hold carries tie-downs, a net, and a power outlet, with a side-hinged rear door. Full power features include remote entry, folding mirrors, and wheel-mounted cruise and audio controls. A CD/MP3 player can be replaced with a 6-CD changer and supplemented with satellite radio and an optional iPod jack. Intermittent front and rear wipers, a trip computer, automatic climate control, and a compass and temperature display are all standard. Two front 12-volt power outlets and six cupholders appeal to families.

For safety, look to the traction and stability control, rollover protection, and 4-wheel disc and ABS brakes with electronic brakeforce distribution. Dual front-side and side curtain airbags for both rows include passenger airbag deactivation. A tire monitor is new this year, measuring pressure in the all-season tires on 16-inch wheels. Automatic headlights are also standard. More skid plates, side step rails, a tow hitch, running boards, and a rear spoiler are offered by the dealer, along with Bluetooth and foglights.

Sportier in name only (though it does feature more alloy interior trim and electroluminescent gauges), the 2008 Suzuki Grand Vitara XSport trim adds mostly extra power features to this rear-wheel-drive compact SUV. Upgrading from the full power features and remote entry of the Base, the XSport comes standard with a power tailgate door and a SmartPass card system for remote entry and remote start. Most drivers are not fond of this item. Other upgrades include a power sunroof, foglights, and a 7-speaker sound system with a 6-CD changer that's MP3-compatible. The 2008 Grand Vitara XSport also features a roof rack, which is optional on the Base.

A 2.7-liter, 185-hp DOHC V6 gets 184 ft-lbs of torque at 4,500 RPM and 17/22 mpg. It is paired with either a 5-speed manual or automatic and can tow up to 3,000 pounds with the optional trailer hitch. With a focus on family safety, the XSport offers 4-wheel disc and ABS brakes, traction and stability control, dual front-side and side curtain airbags with front passenger airbag deactivation, rollover sensors, automatic halogen headlights, and a tire monitor for the 16-inch wheels with all-season tires. The SUV earns four stars in frontal impact tests and five in side impact tests.

Other standard convenience features include automatic climate control, intermittent front and rear wipers, wheel-mounted cruise and audio controls, a trip computer, and a tachometer, compass, and temperature display. Six cupholders and three power outlets are also included. Rear seat cushions flip up and attach to the front seat, allowing the rear seatbacks to fold flat for up to 69 cubic feet of space. Tie-downs, a net, and a soft cover are standard, with the option to add a hard cover. Rear seats also recline and offer a spacious 37 inches of legroom, compared to 41 in the front seat. Dealer-installed options add a rear spoiler, skid plates, running boards, satellite radio, Bluetooth, and an iPod jack.

Apparently luxury means leather, because the 2008 Suzuki Grand Vitara Luxury offers plenty of it, with leather upholstery and leather trim for the steering wheel, shifter, and doors. Other upgrades in the top-end trim of this rear-wheel-drive compact SUV include heated front seats, a remote garage opener, and faux wood accents. The 2008 Grand Vitara Luxury also rides on larger 17-inch alloy wheels with all-season tires.

The SUV seats four in two roomy rows, with reclining rear seats that split-fold 60/40 and fold flat once the seat cushion is flipped up and secured to the back seat. The 24-cubic-foot cargo area then expands to 69 cubic feet. It comes with its own power outlet, a cargo net, cover, tie-downs, and a power tailgate that opens sideways. A roof rack is also standard. Full power features inside include SmartPass keyless entry and ignition and a power sunroof. Wheel-mounted cruise and audio controls, a 7-speaker 6-CD changer with MP3 playback, intermittent front and rear wipers, a trip computer, heated mirrors, automatic climate control, and tilt steering are other nice conveniences. Also included are a compass and temperature readout, two front power outlets, and six cupholders.

Safety-wise, the 2008 Grand Vitara Luxury earns four stars in front and five stars in side impact tests. 4-wheel disc and ABS brakes with electronic brakeforce distribution, dual front-side and side curtain airbags for both rows, passenger airbag deactivation, traction and stability control, and rollover sensors offer protection. Also included are a tire monitor, automatic halogen lamps, and foglights. A 2.7-liter, 185-hp DOHC V6 gets 17/22 mpg and tows up to 3,000 pounds with the optional tow hitch. A 5-speed manual or automatic are the transmission choices. Ask the dealer about optional skid plates, running boards, and side step rails, as well as satellite radio and Bluetooth.

Although the 4WD system in the 2008 Suzuki Grand Vitara XSport 4WD reduces fuel economy somewhat to 17/21 mpg, this is a fair tradeoff for its off-road power. Equipped with a center locking differential and limited-slip differential, the full-time automatic system has four modes - rear-wheel drive, automatic high, and high lock and low lock. The low-range gearing and skid plates ensure the compact SUV performs well on paved and unpaved roads. Extra skid plates can be added.

The 4WD is helped by the Macpherson strut front and multilink rear suspension, the 16-inch wheels with all-season tires, and a 185-hp, 24-valve DOHC V6 that gets 185 hp and 184 ft-lbs of torque. The engine is paired with a standard 5-speed manual or optional 5-speed automatic. Traction and electronic stability control with rollover sensors help keep the SUV steady, while 4-wheel disc and ABS brakes and dual front-side and side curtain airbags for all rows provide added protection. Foglights, automatic halogen lamps, and a tire monitor are also included in the 2008 Grand Vitara XSport 4WD. The SUV seats four in two rows, with reclining and 60/40 split-folding rear seats that expand the 24-cubic-foot trunk to 69 cubic feet. The XSport adds a roof rack for more space. A power tailgate opens sideways, and the cargo space features a net, cover, and tie-downs.

A new power sunroof, SmartPass remote start and entry, alloy interior trim, and a 6-CD changer with MP3 playback are upgrades in the XSport 4WD. These join power windows, locks, and folding mirrors, wheel-mounted cruise and audio controls, automatic climate control, front and rear intermittent wipers, a trip computer, tilt steering, three 12-volt power outlets, and a compass and temperature display. Options come from the dealer and include side step rails and running boards for the exterior, a tow hitch that offers a towing capacity 3,000 pounds, and satellite radio and Bluetooth connectivity.

The 2008 Suzuki Grand Vitara Luxury 4WD earns praise from owners for its versatility on and off the road, thanks to a full-time automatic 4WD system with both high- and low-range gearing. The system chooses from four modes - rear-wheel drive, automatic high, and high and low lock, which adds the center locking differential. A center limited-slip differential is also included. The compact SUV has nearly eight inches of ground clearance and skid plates for the engine cover, but extra skid plates can be added. Larger 17-inch alloy wheels with all-season tires also help.

Powered by a 185-hp, 2.7-liter DOHC V6 that gets 184 ft-lbs of torque at 4,500 RPM, the 2008 Grand Vitara Luxury 4WD gets 17/21 mpg. Transmission choices are a 5-speed manual or 5-speed automatic. Families appreciate the high safety ratings that come with standard traction and stability control, 4-wheel disc and ABS brakes, rollover sensors, and dual front-side and side curtain airbags for both rows. Foglights, automatic headlights, and a tire monitor are also included. The SUV seats four, with 60/40 split-folding rear seats that also recline. The cargo area opens up to 69 cubic feet and features a cover, a net, and tie-downs. A roof rack offers more storage capacity.

When the adventure is over, relax in comfort in the heated leather seats, surrounded by leather and faux wood trim. Full power accessories include a power tailgate, sunroof, heated mirrors, a remote garage opener, and remote start and entry. A 6-CD player can be supplemented with satellite radio and an iPod jack. Wheel-mounted cruise and audio controls, automatic climate control, intermittent front and rear wipers, a trip computer, three 12-volt power outlets, power and tilt steering, and six cupholders complete the standard package. Options for the 2008 Grand Vitara Luxury 4WD come from the dealer and include Bluetooth and a tow hitch. On the exterior you can add a rear spoiler, splash guards, and side step rails.