Think of the 2011 Suzuki Grand Vitara in terms of a first home: The five-seater does the job, boasts a few features and performs quite adequately when it comes to commuting and getting off-road, too, but it lacks refinement, does not offer a particularly comfortable ride and may not be your vehicle of choice for the long term. In short, consider it a starter SUV with a nice price point and thus competitive value. The Base Grand Vitara sits with a pricetag just below $20,000, and the top-of-the-line Limited version with four-wheel drive (4WD) checks in at just over $25,000.

Suzuki introduced a Garmin-based navigation system to the Grand Vitara for 2010 as standard fare, and it’s an impressive perk for an SUV at this level, and what’s more, the system has been upgraded for 2011. But the takeaway for this year outranks the plus, because Suzuki eliminated the popular V6 option for the Grand Vitara.

That leaves the 2011 Suzuki Grand Vitara with a 2.4-liter 4-cylinder engine that produces 166 hp and 162 lb-ft of torque. The 4-cylinder pairs with either a 5-speed manual transmission or 4-speed automatic. The Grand Vitara comes in rear-wheel drive, single-mode 4WD or four-mode, full-time 4WD. Fuel mileage estimates rate at 19 mpg city/26 highway with the manual transmission and RWD, 19/25 with the automatic and RWD, and 19/23 with the automatic and 4WD. The Grand Vitara has a towing capacity of 3,000 pounds. As with all Suzukis, the brand’s 7-year/100,000-mile powertrain warranty remains an attractive feature.

The 4-mode 4WD helps to maximize traction on the highway and can be switched to allow more traction and power off-road or at lower speeds with a high-range 4H Lock or low-range 4L Lock mode. Rugged unibody construction and a stiff, four-wheel independent suspension help keep the Grand Vitara ready to tackle off-road challenges. Those same features, though, can make for some rough, and noisy, riding on the highway.

Reviewers give the interior of the 2011 Suzuki Grand Vitara high marks for its roominess and its list of features, starting with the Base trim and its navigation system. This version includes air conditioning, automatic climate control, a trip computer, remote keyless entry and an AM/FM/CD/MP3/XM satellite radio-compatible sound system.

The Premium trim gets cruise control, privacy glass and a leather-wrapped steering wheel with audio and cruise control switches, among other additions. The Limited adds leather seating surfaces, heated front seats, a sunroof and a premium seven-speaker sound system.

The 2011 Suzuki Grand Vitara features cargo capacity of just over 28 cubic feet with the rear seats up and nearly 71 cubic feet with them down. It does not, reviewers note, have a lot of smaller storage areas in the cabin. The Vitara’s side-hinged rear door draws mixed comments: Some like it; others find it less than convenient.

Stability and traction control, antilock disc brakes, full-length side curtain airbags and front-seat side airbags are among the safety features of the 2011 Suzuki Grand Vitara. The Vitara has daytime running lights and a tire pressure monitoring system, and the vehicle’s unibody construction is a safety plus, too.