What is the engine life of the Suzuki Grand Vitara. How to choose a used Suzuki Grand Vitara Grand Vitara engine problems

The popularity of the Suzuki Grand Vitara is so great that for many years it was produced around the world and under different names.

Success and international recognition are objectively deserved - the versatility of the model in its totality of qualities has no equal.

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For a long time, the compact SUV remained the best-selling, and on the Russian market the car took its rightful place, and on a par with its right-hand drive twin brother Suzuki Escudo.

Those who have traveled know and will understand

The Grand Vitara is interesting and unique in that it is the most off-road in its class. Because there is permanent all-wheel drive, a ladder-type frame is built into the body, there is a center differential between the front and rear of the transfer case, there is a differential locking system and a reduced speed, which gives improved off-road qualities. The interior of the model is not particularly outstanding, solid, laconic, simple, not attracting attention, but not old-fashioned.

In the Japanese's constant all-wheel drive on the highway, even in bad weather conditions - ice, rain, winter roads, there is a feeling of complete safety and reliability. If you happen to get into more serious off-road conditions, a differential lock and a lower gear will come to the rescue.

Of course, we must remember that this is not a classic all-terrain vehicle, but an urban crossover and its suspension is low, the ground clearance is only 200 mm, but the car honestly works on it and passes where most of its classmates would get stuck.

Add to this reliability, does not break, unsurpassed quality and indestructibility along with an excellent price tag, you get the most honest car in terms of hardware, cross-country ability and functionality.

A little history

In fact, 1988 can be considered the starting point of creation, when the first Suzuki Escudo was released. But it officially rolled off the assembly line under the name Grand Vitara in 1997. In Japan it is called Suzuki Escudo, in the USA - Chevrolet Tracker. In Russia, sales began along with everyone else and ended with the end of production in 2014. Replaced by Suzuki Vitara until 2016.

The debut of the new generation is planned for 2020 - 2021, says the top manager of the Russian representative office of the brand, Takayuki Hasegawa, due to the continuing demand from the division’s customers and dealers, who confirm that there is a shortage of such a car in Russia. Most likely, it will be built on its own original base, and not inherited from the Vitara cart.

1st generation (09.1997-08.2005)

On sale are three (an open-top version is available) and a five-door frame crossover with rear-wheel drive and the Part Time 4FWD system, the essence of which is the ability to rigidly connect/disconnect the front axle by the driver manually at a speed of no more than 100 km/h, and engage a downshift only at a complete stop.

In 2001, the model range was replenished with an extended modification (the wheelbase increased by 32 cm) XL-7 (Grand Escudo) with a three-row cabin for seven people. The giant is equipped with a 2.7-liter V6 power unit, developing up to 185 hp.

The first Grand Vitara was equipped with 1.6 and 2.0 petrol in-line fours producing 94 and 140 hp. and V-shaped six-cylinder engines producing up to 158 hp. A 2-liter diesel engine, developing up to 109 horsepower, was exported to some countries. A five-speed manual or four-zone automatic transmission is paired with an internal combustion engine.

2nd generation (09.2005-07.2016)

This is the most popular generation, it was produced for 10 years without radical changes, and a huge army of car owners became the happy owners of it. What’s great is that all cars for domestic consumers were assembled in Japan.

The second Grand Vitara received a frame integrated into the body and permanent all-wheel drive with a differential lock and reduced speed. In Japan, the new product is available in four design solutions - Helly Hanson (especially for lovers of active recreation), Salomon (chrome body trim), Supersound Edition (for music lovers) and FieldTrek (luxury equipment).

In 2008, the manufacturer carried out the first minor modernization - the front bumper was changed, the front fenders became new and the wheel arches and radiator grille were highlighted, sound insulation was strengthened, and a display appeared in the center of the instrument panel. The restyled version has two new engines - a 2.4 liter 169 hp and the most powerful 3.2 liter 233 hp. The latter was not officially supplied to Russia, just like the diesel 1.9 liter Renault, which was exported to other markets. The transmission for all cars is a five-speed manual or a four-speed electronically controlled automatic with two modes - normal and sport.

The short three-door four-seater little one has only a 1.6 liter engine with 106 hp, its wheelbase is 2.2 meters, a small trunk and rear seats that fold separately. In the five-door configuration, five passengers are quite comfortable, and the two-liter engine with 140 hp. enough for full-fledged everyday driving in the city. To transport large luggage, the rear row is folded out in parts, and the volume of the cargo compartment increases from 275 to 605 liters.

The second change to the Grand Vitara in 2011 affected cars for the foreign market. The spare wheel was removed from the cargo compartment door, thus reducing the length of the vehicle by 20 cm. The environmental level of the diesel engine was brought to compliance with Euro 5. All basic configurations received an electronic drive in the transfer case for enabling/disabling the reduced speed and a self-locking differential. The force lock button is located on the center console.

An additional option is available - a driver assistance system when driving downhill. It maintains a speed of 5 or 10 km/h according to the transmission mode. And also when starting uphill and the ESP skid prevention system. The three-door car did not receive an improved transmission, so it does not have increased cross-country ability.

What engines are on the Suzuki Grand Vitara?

Engine model	Type	Volume, liters	Power, hp	Version
G16A	gasoline R4	1.6	94-107	SGV 1.6
G16B	inline four	1.6	94	SGV 1.6
M16A	in-line 4-cyl	1.6	106-117	SGV 1.6
J20A	in-line 4-cylinder	2	128-140	SGV 2.0
RF	diesel R4	2	87-109	SGV 2.0D
J24B	Benz row 4	2.4	166-188	SGV 2.4
H25A	petrol V6	2.5	142-158	SGV V6
H27A	petrol V6	2.7	172-185	SGV XL-7 V6
H32A	petrol V6	3.2	224-233	SGV 3.2

More advantages

Among the advantages of the Suzuki Grand Vitara, in addition to the main thing - the transmission, along with cost, dynamism and reliability, good handling, one can note a high level of safety with the highest scores in crash tests.

An important advantage on the exterior is the spacious interior, both for legs, overhead and to the sides, which most in the class do not have. Excellent visibility. The plastic, although hard, is of high quality, with plenty of space for every little thing.

...And the cons

There are disadvantages, like everyone else. One of the important ones is high fuel consumption, as a price to pay for all-wheel drive. In the city, a 2.0 liter with a manual transmission consumes up to 15 liters per 100 km. What can we say about more powerful ones and with an automatic machine. It’s a rare case that on the highway it’s possible to achieve 10 l/100 km. Most car owners note a low level of aerodynamics. The car is noisy and rough. The trunk volume is not small, but the shape is not convenient - high and narrow.

Is it worth buying, if so, with which engine?

After weighing all the pros and cons, most likely yes. Because there are few good, reliable, durable cars now. Manufacturers have not been interested in playing the long game for a long time. They need units, parts, mechanisms, and machines to be replaced more often with new ones. Suzuki Grand Vitara is not like that. There are many timeless classics here that will serve well for decades.

No turbocharged internal combustion engines, no robots, no CVTs - beautifully smooth and imperceptibly working hydromechanics with a long service life. The most important thing when purchasing a commercial vehicle is to avoid expensive repairs or frequent replacement of expensive items. If you choose this Japanese one, the price will be more than adequate.

Objectively, for a 5-door car, two liters and with passengers on a trip out of town and beyond will not be enough. Around the city, from work, home, to the shops - enough. Therefore, 2.4 liters with a power of 166 hp. - just right, and the 233 horses that the 3.2 liter produces is too much. For such power the car is light, it becomes dangerous, maneuverability is lost.

In general, the car is a real Japanese prude, which has everything you need to feel calm and safe on the road, to know and be confident, and not to guess, whether it will work or not on the off-road section. When creating the Grand Vitara, Suzuki did not waste time on creating a super-fashionable design, placing emphasis on the main thing.

We don’t have all-wheel drive Vitaras, although these theoretically existed in the USA. Five-door cars are equipped with a full-fledged transfer case with permanent all-wheel drive and a reduction gear, but three-door cars with a 1.6 liter engine are content with a simpler one without a reduction gear, with a completely ineffective cam “self-block”. You can also find cars from the USA with a plug-in front axle, but this is very rare. However, this can be easily fixed if a person is willing to bother with altering not only the transfer case itself, but also the electronics that control it, as well as replacing the wiring harness.

Permanent all-wheel drive with center locking and reduction gear, and even with optional rear axle locking, is quite a serious arsenal for an SUV. And this is also at least four transmission units versus one or two on most crossovers. And for complete happiness - two cardan shafts. Of course, although all this equipment works very reliably, it nevertheless requires maintenance. It is necessary to change the oil regularly, and, judging by the reviews, it is best to pour not the original mineral water, but a transmission semi-synthetic with low viscosity. It is necessary to regularly check the seals for leaks. But here it’s quite easy to do: any oil leak is clearly visible against the backdrop of a dirty unit.

On cars of the first and second restyling, the reliability of the front axle gearboxes is extremely low. Any excessive load quickly leads to failure of the bearings, and if the situation gets too bad, then the main pair. Additional risk factors are heat from the engine and poor location of the gearbox breather: when forcing even a shallow ford, water can get inside. Of course, the breather is led out into a rubber tube, the end of which is fixed at the very top of the engine compartment, but in most cars the system works normally, which means it is not very reliable.

The transfer case is not foolproof, so the 4HL lock mode will not turn off at high speeds and on hard surfaces, and the load on the transmission can go off scale.

The quality of the seals, unfortunately, is far from ideal. They leak, both on new cars and on used ones. Replacing does not always solve the problem permanently. A bad tool, dirty surfaces, a bad supplier - and now everything needs to be replaced again... But there are more than a dozen oil seals. In general, you will have to change it often, and sometimes simply “clog” it if the oil leak is insignificant.

The driveshafts here are actually not really driveshafts. They have CV joints, except that the oldest cars produced in 2005-2007 have cardan shafts in the drive. And CV joints have covers that sometimes tear, and it is better to change them right away. But officially there are no covers on sale, and there are no CV joints, there are only assembled shafts, which, as you understand, costs quite an indecent amount of money. All these factors lead to the fact that transmission breakdowns on older cars are one of the most frequent and expensive faults, and also one of the most troublesome. By the way, if all three transmission mode lamps are blinking, then do not rush to repair the transfer case. Most likely, the issue is either in the wiring, or in ESP failures, or in ignition system failures. There are no glitchy sensors or vacuum drives here.

Manual transmissions are generally very durable. But clutches, which wear out early, and a gear shift mechanism with weak traction fail. The second problem was eventually solved by radically strengthening the part. But the hydraulic clutch remains the same, not particularly durable and not very convenient. If you remove the limiter jet from the drive, it will be more convenient to use. But the price of a hydraulic cylinder combined with a release bearing is still high. It can be easily damaged if the clutch is installed incorrectly, and the clutch itself is still rather weak and requires very careful handling. Most owners will have to change it every 60-80 thousand kilometers. Rarely does anyone manage to run more than 150 thousand on one set, and the risk is not justified: when the disc wears out, the basket very easily breaks, which entails additional costs. In addition, the operation of replacing the clutch is expensive and “traumatic”: if you remove it carelessly, it is easy to damage the wiring or something else. But otherwise, cars with manual transmission do not have any serious difficulties.

In the photo: Suzuki Grand Vitara "2012–present"

You can’t expect any special surprises with automatic transmission either. Suzuki installed two Aisin automatic transmissions on the Grand Vitara, both of the best Toyota series. With engines of 1.6, 2.0 and 2.4 liters, and sometimes with 2.7, the four-speed gearbox A44DE, also known as AW03-72, was used. If you don’t remember this one, it was exactly what was installed on the rear-wheel drive Previa and Mark II. And with engines of 2.7 and 3.2 liters for the American market they began to install a more advanced five-speed TB-50LS / Aisin A750F. It is also a “Toyota” series, and can also be found on the Lexus LX470, Toyota Tundra and many other cars of this manufacturer. All boxes are very durable and reliable, capable of going through more than the engine and the entire car with good maintenance.

The four-speed gearbox is only threatened by overheating due to dirty radiators, extremely harsh treatment with a complete lack of maintenance, and mileages far beyond 300. For very “racers”, “early” (with runs over 200 thousand kilometers) failure of the gas turbine engine blocking linings is possible. Then you can wait for the failure of the gas turbine bushing, its oil seal and oil leakage.

A reliable hydraulic unit, reliable electronics and a durable mechanical part leave virtually no chance of breaking this harsh unit without the help of “smart” servicemen or through personal efforts. If the box works, it will most likely continue to work. It is enough to change the oil on time, and even if there are already jerks, you just need to wash the automatic transmission by removing the valve body, and it will start moving again. Survival is amazing in today's times! True, fuel consumption and dynamics are no longer so encouraging.

The five-speed automatic transmission is just as indestructible, but with a mileage of more than 200 thousand kilometers you will have to change the solenoids. By 250 thousand mileage, the gas turbine engine blocking linings often wear out. And the consequences of working with worn linings occur earlier and are more expensive. Overall, this is one of the most reliable five-speed transmissions, and also quite dynamic and modern.

Surprisingly, the Grand Vitara's gearboxes create the least amount of trouble in the transmission. The other nodes are much more troublesome.

Motors

The most popular engines are in-line fours with a volume of 2 and 2.4 liters. Engines with a volume of 1.6 liters are less common; the old Suzukov V6 2.7 liters were installed only on American cars, but with a 3.2 liter engine from GM (the same as on the Chevrolet Captiva), the car was officially supplied to us for some time . Diesel engines were also not officially supplied to us, but cars with a Renault 1.9 engine are still available. All engines are quite good, although Suzuki's inline fours are prone to oil appetite, and the 2.4 liter engines of 2008 also had problems with the cylinder block, which leaked directly through the wall. And since modern engines are made from strange waste by stamping aluminum cola cans, it turned out to be practically impossible to fix or somehow eliminate this problem outside the factory. However, more on this below.

Common problems with all motors are related to the design of the cooling system. The radiators are frankly weak, often leaking at the junction of the plastic and aluminum parts, and the expansion tank cap does not release excess pressure.

A common problem with 1.6 l and 2.0 l engines is the passage of gases through the cylinder head gasket. And this also does not contribute to the long and normal life of the cooling system.

Catalysts and a weak exhaust system are another common problem with all Suzuki and GM engines. The service life of the catalyst is usually less than 200 thousand mileage, and the exhaust system often does not survive up to hundreds of thousand mileage without losses. Of course, the first to suffer are cars that go into the mud and off-road, but even in cars with purely urban operation, the exhaust system looks completely unpresentable already in the fifth or sixth year of service.

Oil leaks due to a very simple crankcase ventilation system and not the best oil seals on in-line fours are also a common problem, especially annoying is the weakness of the rear crankshaft oil seal, to replace which you will have to remove the gearbox.

In the photo: Under the hood of Suzuki Grand Vitara 3-door "2008–12

The 2-liter gasoline engine is the most common. The design is very old: the j20a/JB420A series was installed on the previous generation of the model. This engine is 16-valve, with a timing chain drive and is quite reliable. True, his character is not very suitable for a heavy car. Despite the presence of a phase shifter on the intake shaft, there is not enough thrust at low speeds, but the “tops” are quite lively. The service life of the piston group is quite decent, about 250-300 thousand mileage before overhaul. But this is if you avoid excessive oil loss through valve seals and leaks. It cannot tolerate low oil levels, and it collapses the liners under warranty, damaging the crankshaft and block yokes.

Running engines prefer thicker oil, at least SAE40. The pressure on engines with mileage above one and a half hundred may no longer be enough, and this leads to accelerated wear of the crankshaft liners.

Valve seals and oil seals are a sore spot; they will have to be changed quite often. After hundreds of thousands of mileage, it is recommended to replace the caps to prevent the piston rings from coking. At the same time, it’s worth cleaning the intake manifold, it also gets very dirty.

In the photo: Suzuki Grand Vitara 5-door "2005–08

At a mileage of 200 thousand, a complete engine overhaul is recommended, and the piston group may still be in excellent condition, but the cylinder head will almost certainly require serious repairs. Fortunately, the motor is very repairable. There are repair sizes for almost all wear parts, and spare parts don’t cost a fortune. And two repair sizes of pistons are just a holiday in these days, although they are rarely needed. In a good situation, you can get by with repairing the cylinder head and replacing the liners, and the piston group will withstand another hundred to one and a half thousand mileage.

Timing chain 2.0 lower

price for original

2,668 rubles

The resource of the timing chain cannot be called gigantic, but it usually lasts 120-150 thousand, which is a good indicator in modern times. The main thing is that you don’t have to worry about early chain slips. Although cases of extraneous noise appearing in the timing belt with mileages of less than a hundred thousand still occur, they do not always result in the replacement of the chain and tensioners.

Ignition modules and spark plugs require constant attention. Otherwise, consumption increases and dynamics drops significantly. Weak spark plug tips require annual maintenance and spark plugs need to be replaced. Moreover, the engine is sometimes capable of “eating up” the iridium Denso, which for some reason it is entitled to according to its passport. This is especially true for engines that run on 92-octane gasoline. So checking and replacing spark plugs every 30 thousand kilometers is highly recommended. There’s no need to splurge on “platinum” or iridium either; regular NGKs work no worse.

The engine mounts are also not particularly reliable; if the level of vibration increases, they need to be checked. There is a possibility that the motor is already just lying on rubber cushions.

The 2.4 liter engine is very similar to its “little brother”, but has several features. First, the block is new and is not cast, but stamped from recycled aluminum. And until 2008, a robot at the factory tightened cylinder head studs. It would seem, what is the connection? It's simple: the material turned out to be weak, and the block began to leak over time. A typical problem is an antifreeze leak from the cooling jacket under the exhaust manifold. Less common is an oil leak. It will not be possible to weld a crack accurately; extruded aluminum does not hold a weld, and such procedures are not recommended due to thermal deformation. Drilling out and installing a “cold welded” patch, as is done on cast iron blocks, will also not work: the block is weak and vibrations will quickly loosen the patch. Usually the block is simply replaced. Moreover, the shot block assembly changes. This is exactly the operation that was carried out on all cars under warranty, but there was no recall company, so it’s possible to encounter a car with a “leak on the side.”

Another nuance is the lack of repair dimensions for the piston group. This is not a critical problem, because the pistons are cheap, and the liners can be removed with liquid nitrogen and replaced. And the materials are quite durable; the service life of the piston group during normal operation is more than 300 thousand kilometers. The crankshaft has one repair size, but the cylinder head must also be replaced when worn. However, there are always options here. In general, the engine is also quite successful, and even pleases with higher thrust, which is so lacking in a heavy machine. But again, his character is torsional, high-speed.

The small 1.6-liter engine on the JB416 three-door is in many ways similar to its two-liter brother. It is not considered particularly problematic, but as it ages, it also begins to suffer from an oily appetite, which can lead to serious damage.

V6 engines suit the car much better. Both the native Suzukov 2.7 J27 and the GM 3.2, which here received the “name” JB 632. But they are too rare. I have already written about GM engines and will not repeat myself. In short, it has a very successful design, but the timing life is short and it is very demanding on the operation of the cooling system.

Suzuki's V6 is a bit more troublesome. Firstly, the life of the timing chain is far from unlimited here, but if noise appears on the right cylinder head, you should immediately change the entire timing chain set, it is prone to jumping, as a result of which the valves on one of the cylinder heads bend, and on the second they work normally - so The timing mechanism is already designed. Usually the consequences are even worse than if the circuit breaks. The engine continues to run, tearing off valve heads and grinding pistons and cylinders. There will be nothing left to repair there. The advantages are the availability of repair sizes and a common resource. Everything is quite complicated with spare parts; such machines were not supplied to us and there are few of them in Japan. However, there is a whole paragraph below about the features of contract engines.

For most Japanese cars, you can easily purchase contract units from Japan. This means guaranteed high quality and low price for motors. But in the case of Suzuki, something went wrong. 2.0, 2.4 and 2.7 liter engines are difficult to purchase inexpensively. Prices even beyond the Urals start from 80 thousand rubles for the JB420A, and the V6 costs even more. You will have to repair the engine, but only if there is something to repair. In addition, a fairly large number of versions of the block and piston group will cause a lot of trouble. The lack of mounting holes in the block and a completely different cylinder head can be an unpleasant surprise for those who are replacing the complete power unit. In general, in terms of spare parts, Suzuki is not a typical Japanese car. Maybe this is a view from the European part of Russia, but everything is different for you? Are there specialists who can select the right unit and sellers who sell it for pennies? Maybe so. But it’s definitely worth warning future owners about this “nuance.”

In the photo: Under the hood of Suzuki Grand Vitara 5-door "2008–12

Renault diesel engines are rare, but the few reviews indicate that they performed very mediocre, if not worse.

In the photo: Suzuki Grand Vitara 3-door "2005–08

Summary

Suzuki Grand Vitara is very interesting from a technical point of view. After all, under the typical crossover appearance hides a real “rogue”. But its capabilities will still not be used to its fullest, because they buy it specifically as a crossover. And in this incarnation he is not very strong. It rides hard, handles mediocrely, and there is no need to rely on all-wheel drive, it just doesn’t contribute to good handling. Vitara consumes a lot of fuel and is much more difficult to maintain than a typical crossover with a crossover engine and a clutch in the drive of the rear wheels.

In the photo: Suzuki Grand Vitara 5-door "2012–present.

True, Suzuki tried very hard to make it strong. The Grand Vitara has very good engines, excellent automatic transmissions and a strong body that can withstand tough off-road use. But I remember an old joke: “Mom, why do we need all these bells and whistles at the zoo”? So I don’t understand. But if you are looking for a serious car for serious tasks, then consider this car. With a little preparation, it will put many larger and heavier players to shame, and at the same time it will be much more convenient in everyday use.

The second generation Suzuki Grand Vitara was introduced in 2005. This compact crossover is the leader in popularity among universal and professional SUVs. In the second half of 2008, the Grand Vitara underwent restyling, changes affected the front bumper and fenders, side mirrors and radiator grille, two engines of 2.4 and 3.2 liters appeared in the engine range, sound insulation was improved, and a multifunctional display appeared in the center dashboard.

Engines

For our market, the second generation Suzuki Grand Vitara is offered with 2 engines with a displacement of 2.0 liters (140 hp) and 2.4 liters (169 hp). The 3-door version is equipped with 1.6 l (106 hp) and 2.4 (169) hp engines. The most widely used Vitara was with a 2.0 liter engine; the 3.2 liter engine was not officially supplied to Russia.

Suzuki Grand Vitara engines have a timing chain drive. You will have to forget about its durability; the chain begins to sound already after a mileage of more than 80 - 120 thousand km due to stretching. Replacing a chain with shoes and tensioner will cost 30–50 thousand rubles.

2.4 liter engines from 2008 to 2010 were subject to a recall campaign due to problems with the tension roller of the drive belt of mounted units.

With a mileage of more than 100 thousand km, do not forget to replace the radiator cap; over time, the bypass valve in the expansion tank may jam, which will lead to an increase in pressure and rupture of the radiator (a crack appears). The catalytic converter may give up after a mileage of more than 40 - 80 thousand km.

Transmission

The engines are paired with a manual and automatic transmission. Paradoxically, the “mechanics” are less reliable than the “automatic”. With a mileage of more than 60 - 80 thousand km, some owners note a deterioration in the quality of 1st gear engagement. Mainly due to the approaching end of the clutch, the life of which is about 100 - 120 thousand km. Replacement will require about 18 - 30 thousand. rubles with work. The Vitara’s automatic transmission does not present any serious problems that trouble the minds of its owners.

The front axle gearbox can “buzz” with a mileage of more than 70–90 thousand km, and for some lucky people even earlier, with a mileage of 30–40 thousand km. This in no way means that it will have to be replaced, and the hum can be attributed to the characteristics of the transmission. In some cases, the gearbox becomes silent after an oil change. With a mileage of more than 120 - 150 thousand km, the oil seal of the right axle shaft of the front gearbox, operating under harsh conditions, may leak. A leaking transfer case oil seal will most likely have to be replaced after a mileage of more than 60–80 thousand km. It is better not to delay replacing it; a decrease in the oil level will lead to increased wear of the unit.

Suzuki Grand Vitara (2005-2008)

Chassis

The suspension is not durable enough. The first ones that will most likely give out are the anti-roll bar bushings when the mileage is more than 40 - 60 thousand km, which also often creak in winter. After replacing them, light tapping noises on uneven roads may not disappear; in this case, rubber-plastic spacers must be placed between the metal bracket and the bushing.

Poor design of the A-pillar support results in contact with the body. It is enough to install a plastic spacer between the support and the body, and the knocking will go away.

With a mileage of more than 50 - 80 thousand km, the front shock absorbers begin to leak, more often in cold weather. The front levers will have to be replaced due to rupture of the silent blocks when the mileage exceeds 100 - 120 thousand km. New non-original levers will cost 4–6 thousand rubles, original ones – about 12 thousand rubles.

Suzuki Grand Vitara (2008-present)

The rear wheel bearing begins to hum when the mileage exceeds 60–100 thousand km; a new hub costs about 5–9 thousand rubles.

The front brake pads last about 30 – 50 thousand km, the rear ones 70 – 90 thousand km. Front brake discs have to be changed every 60 - 80 thousand km.

Over time, the power steering pump often howls, increasing the tone in cold weather. In most cases, replacing the fluid can correct the situation.

Suzuki Grand Vitara (2005-2008)

Conclusion

This is the Suzuki Grand Vitara. In fact, its disadvantages are the rapid wear of the timing chain drive, leaking transfer case seals and not very strong front suspension. Otherwise, it’s a completely reliable and robust all-terrain vehicle.

Production of the compact crossover Suzuki Grand Vitara began in 1998. Today, production of the car has been discontinued, as the “samurai” was replaced by a new model with the same name, but in a completely new configuration. The old version of the car is interesting and unique. It has permanent all-wheel drive, a center differential and its locking. With permanent drive, the “Japanese” is almost the most off-road car in its class.

The Grand Vitara feels confident off-road, overcoming mud, ice and snowy roads. Before purchasing a legendary car, of course, it is best to find out what its engine life is.

Powertrain lines

Over its history, the crossover has received a large number of different power plants, which to one degree or another have become famous for their reliability and unpretentiousness. In most cases, Japanese engineers equipped their designs with just a couple of motors, but in the case of this, it’s a completely different story. The buyer has a choice of engine options from 1.6 to 3.2 liters with various boost levels. Also, the line of engines includes not only gasoline, but also diesel modifications.

One of the most popular and in demand is the two-liter J20A engine. The cylinder head and main body parts are made of aluminum alloy. The main advantage of the motor is the presence of hydraulic gap compensators. Due to hydraulic compensators, maintenance of the power unit is greatly simplified and its service life is increased.

On average, an engine travels about 300 thousand kilometers before the first major overhaul. The manufacturer recommends using special Suzuki Motor Oil, which can significantly reduce the negative impact of friction on the contacting surfaces of power unit parts.

Engine life certified by the manufacturer

As the practice of operating the Suzuki Grand Vitara shows, crossover engines are quite reliable, but still have some weak points. The power unit with a displacement of 1.6 liters is sensitive to overheating; it is also better to avoid oil starvation of this engine. The installed timing chain drive lasts for 120 thousand kilometers, which certainly adds reliability and longer service life to the engine. To increase the service life of the chain, the manufacturer recommends using only certified motor oil. It is also advisable to thoroughly warm up a 1.6-liter engine during severe frosts.

The manufacturer does not indicate any limits on the service life of the engines, but assures that all power units of the Suzuki Grand Vitara run for at least 250 thousand kilometers. In order for the “heart” of the car to last for the entire stated period, it is also necessary to use high-quality fuel. Low-quality fuel affects the engine's spark plugs and the fuel filter, which is assembled with the fuel pump, and the catalyst. Any breakdown of these components of the fuel system significantly reduces operating time. If you refuel with gasoline from a trusted supplier and undergo scheduled maintenance in a timely manner, you can increase the service life of the Suzuki Grand Vitara engine to 300 thousand kilometers.

Reviews from Suzuki Grand Vitara owners

Suzuki Grand Vitara is a classic, without anything superfluous. Such a car will serve faithfully if it is given due attention. The line of power units does not include turbocharged engines, and the manufacturer offers a time-tested hydromechanical gearbox as a transmission. The symbiosis of a reliable engine and an equally reliable gearbox even today attracts many drivers to purchase a Grand Vitara of the earliest generations. Without exaggeration, we can say that the Japanese have created a really cool car, without interior frills, but with a sharp focus on the most important things. Reviews from crossover owners will informatively tell you about the service life of the Suzuki Grand Vitara engine.

Modification 1.6

Stanislav, Irkutsk. I have a new Suzuki Grand Vitara 2017, the latest generation model. So far I am satisfied with the car, although the mileage is very scanty. Recently I just went through a break-in, changed the oil and started pouring it recommended by the manufacturer. A friend has the same car, with an older generation 1.6-liter engine. I’m also happy with the car; now they’re putting new engines under the Vitar’s hood, almost perfect ones. There is no need to adjust the valves; you sit behind the wheel and drive. I hope that at least 300,000 km will pass before urgent repairs are needed.
Yuri, Simferopol. The car is good, but probably not for our roads. The chain began to ring after 80 thousand kilometers due to excessive stretching. Replacing the tensioner cost tens of thousands of rubles. Low quality fuel also affects the life of the engine. It is very difficult to find a good supplier now. It is best not to save money and pour AI-95. I realized this when it was too late. I recently sold the car, drove the Suzuki Grand Vitara for 180 thousand km, after which I decided to change it.
Georgy, Moscow. My wife drives this 2014 crossover. The mileage is now about 45 thousand km, during this time the pump was already replaced under warranty, but there were no more problems. The car's consumption is huge at speeds over 150 km, so I don't recommend driving it if efficiency matters to you. The suspension is noisy, but not fatal, just right for our roads. The engine runs quietly and stably, there are minimal problems with the car, but there are some shortcomings, for example, weak body metal, as well as expensive maintenance. The dealership said that the Grand Vitara 1.6 runs 300,000 km.

This modification is equipped with a high-quality power unit, which requires increased attention. You can drive a crossover with a 1.6-liter engine under the hood for 250 thousand kilometers or more. The engine life depends on high-quality and constant scheduled maintenance of the car.

Modification 2.0

Mikhail, Tyumen. I will say this as a former owner of Suzuki Grand Vitara 2.0 and 2.4. These cars have excellent transmissions, but the engines, frankly speaking, are let down. Both “eat” oil, about one liter per 1,000 km. The chain actually lasts about 120 thousand kilometers; I like that in this car there is no need to adjust the valves. During all this time there were no special problems with the engines, but the constant costs of oil and fuel were annoying. Consumption is also about 12 liters in the city, which is quite a lot. In general, I recommend purchasing a Grand Vitara with a 2.7 liter or larger engine, for example, 3.2 liter. They are of better quality and high-torque.
Sergey, Ekaterinburg. I'll be brief: I didn't like the car. I drove the Suzuki Grand Vitara for 200 thousand kilometers, after which I sold the car. The engine “eats” oil, and when the mileage reaches 100 thousand km, the “appetite” of the car increases significantly. I also didn't like that the engine was prone to detonation. The chain did not even survive to 100 thousand, it was necessary to change it at the turn of 70-75 thousand km, knocking and ringing began, the chain stretched very quickly.
Alexander, Tula. I like everyone's car. I drove my 1998 car for 300,000 kilometers, quite successfully, after which I did a major overhaul. If engine detonation occurs, then it is necessary to change the fuel, switch to a different octane number; the manufacturer himself recommends using AI-95. I recently refueled at Lukoil AI-95 and didn’t have any problems. I changed the oil every 7 thousand km and filled it with Liqui Moly 5W-30. In general, I’m happy with the car, I recommend the modification with the 2.0 liter engine to everyone.

Suzuki Grand Vitara with a 2.0 engine is quite reliable, but it is picky about the quality of the fuel it fills and requires timely maintenance. If you follow the manufacturer's recommendations on the frequency of scheduled maintenance, the crossover will last at least 300,000 km before the first major overhaul.

Modification 2.4

Egor, Moscow. Hi all! I purchased a Suzuki Grand Vitara 2.4 in 2007 from an official dealer. At first, the machine really made me happy, but soon the first disappointments came. The engine began to “eat” oil, and consumption increased to 1 liter per 1000 km. I went to the service center, where they told me that the consumption was not up to standard, but no one could fix it. Most likely the piston rings are coked, and this is a very expensive repair. This happened due to low quality fuel. I recently sold a car; the modification with a 2.4-liter engine is not suitable for use with us.
Vadim, Voronezh. What can I say, the car is high quality, reliable, but expensive to maintain. I have already covered 50,000 kilometers on my car, during which time I have undergone scheduled maintenance five times, which on average costs a couple of hundred dollars. Change spark plugs, engine oil, filters, etc. The engine was filled with Mobil 1, an expensive but very high-quality substance. In general, there were no problems with the engine over the years of operation. The main thing is to fill with good gasoline, since Suzuki engines are very sensitive to “power”.
Valery, Sochi. I have owned cars from the domestic auto industry, a Toyota Avensis, but lately I only drive a Suzuki. The last “samurai” was the Grand Vitara with a 2.4 liter engine and a hydromechanical gearbox. I'm happy with the car, and I'm not going to change it in the near future. The only thing I don't like is the monthly cost of maintaining the car. The Grand Vitara is more expensive than other cars I've owned. Never had any problems with the engine.

In some cases, problems can actually occur with a 2.4-liter engine, but breakdowns are mainly caused by low-quality fuel and engine oil. With proper and timely maintenance, the Suzuki Grand Vitara 2.4 modification covers at least 250,000 kilometers.

The history of the Vitara brand is quite interesting. A car with this name was first introduced in 1988, and Suzuki itself laid claim to the laurels of the founder of a new class of compact SUVs (SUVs) (Sport Utility Vehicle). And if it is difficult to challenge the primacy of the abbreviation, then from a technical point of view the Japanese were 11 years late - since 1977, the domestic VAZ had already produced the Niva and exported it. The design of the Vitara itself, with a separate frame and plug-in front-wheel drive without a center differential, was closer to classic SUVs. The result is both a not very good crossover and a rather mediocre SUV. It was this “ancestral curse” that ruined the model a quarter of a century later, despite the fact that, under pressure from competitors, the frame turned into a monocoque body, and the front end began to be connected through a constantly working center differential. And the presence of a lower row in the transfer case looked quite advantageous against the background of its main competitors - Toyota RAV4, Honda CR-V and Mitsubishi Outlander.

Who's like the old one?

The new Grand Vitara, following them, also became more modern, more comfortable and more environmentally friendly, but at the same time it moved further and further away from the Vitara that lovers of off-road adventures liked almost 20 years ago. Unable to compete on equal terms with the grandees of this class, Suzuki additionally attracted a noticeably lower price, and now the third generation of the Suzuki Grand Vitara (2005–2014) is a very interesting choice on the used car market in this segment: 5-7 year olds copies were recently sold in the range of 400–900 thousand rubles. depending on the owners’ appetites and the condition of the car.

The car was known on other continents as the XL7, Suzuki Grand Nomade or Grand Escudo (the short versions with three doors did not have the Grand prefix in many countries) and was produced since 2005. Despite the common chassis with some models of the General Motors concern, technically there was little in common with its “relatives”. The only “close” relative was the Suzuki XL7 (since 2007). And examples of the Iranian assembly are very rare in our country. In 2006, 175 thousand cars were sold worldwide.

Interior of Suzuki Grand Vitara

The range of power units was quite wide. Until 2008, the base for long versions was a 2-liter 4-cylinder gasoline engine JB420, developing 140 hp. A petrol H27A (V6 2.7 l, 185 hp) was also offered for the American market, but it remained a rarity on Russian roads.

Suzuki did not produce diesel engines on its own, so the Japanese borrowed a 1.9-liter 4-cylinder turbodiesel (129 hp) from Renault. Until 2008, short versions also had the M16 diesel engine (1.6 l, 106 hp). Both modifications were not officially supplied to us and finding them on the secondary market is quite problematic, and it’s not worth it - it has long been known that modern diesel engines only save money for the first owner.

In the brand's anniversary year of 2008 (20 years since the start of production), the Grand Vitara underwent its first restyling, including new engines, now with variable valve timing - the in-line four JB424 (2.4 liters 168 hp and 225 Nm) and completely new V6 3.2 (221 hp and 284 Nm). French suppliers made minor modifications to the old 1.9 liter turbodiesel (it was registered under the hood of many brands, for example Volvo S40, Mitsubishi Carisma).

Advertising brochures at auto shows and in dealer showrooms bravuraly promoted the updates: “The 3-door modification has become available with a 2.4 liter engine and an automatic transmission. The updated version included a system for holding the car on ascents and descents (for a 3.2-liter gasoline engine), improved sound insulation, a changed design of the radiator grille and bumper, new body paint colors, and the total length and length of the front overhang of the car increased by 30 mm , side mirrors are equipped with built-in turn signal signals, additional airbags have become mandatory for all modifications.”

It was this set that became an important factor that contributed to some restoration of the popularity of Grand Vitara sales - after all, it was the only model in the SUV segment with a monocoque body and a lower row in the transfer case. Subsequent modernizations in 2011 and 2012 affected stylistic decisions, but the technology did not change anymore.

Selector for selecting all-wheel drive transmission modes Suzuki Grand Vitara

Sick nature

But the transmission also has its weaknesses. Due to the fact that the Grand Vitara has an “honest” drive to all wheels, components and assemblies (gearboxes, transfer case, driveshaft) are more heavily loaded compared to passenger cars and require more frequent maintenance. The most vulnerable spot in the transmission is the front gearbox, which may require a rebuild by 60–70 thousand km. Due to the low location of the ventilation breather, moisture can enter the gearbox, which leads to premature wear of the entire assembly. Restoration will cost from 60 thousand rubles. Therefore, overcoming even small puddles, not to mention deep fords, can cause damage.

Since the manufacturer has done nothing to solve this problem, it can be recommended to install the breather on an extension tube under the hood, which will allow the gearbox to operate under normal conditions up to the 200–250 thousand km intended by the designers. The rear gearbox is not bothered by such design mistakes; it is enough to monitor the integrity of the seals and the level of transmission oil. After a run of 50–60 thousand km, regular inspections of the transfer case and gearbox seals will be required for leaks or fogging. Replacing worn seals will cost at least 14 thousand rubles. due to the large volume of work required to dismantle the units.

Mechanical gearboxes and transfer cases are quite reliable and do not cause problems with regular oil changes (at intervals of 60 thousand and 45 thousand km, respectively). Automatic gearboxes behave no less worthy, fortunately their Suzuki design for a longitudinal engine arrangement has long been worked out (the main drawback is that due to the antiquity of the design, the unit has only four stages), it is enough to monitor the condition of the seals and the oil level. The service life of these units reaches 200–250 thousand km, mandatory oil changes, following accumulated experience, should be done at least once every 100 thousand km, and with frequent off-road driving or towing heavy trailers (for example, with motorcycles, ATVs, jet skis etc.) and completely reduce the mileage between replacements to 60–80 thousand km.

The most popular power unit on the Grand Vitara is JB420 (2 liters, 140 hp). This engine is reliable and unpretentious, it can be used on 92-octane gasoline, but for a car weighing 1.6 tons, its power characteristics are clearly insufficient. In order to keep up with city traffic, it has to be unscrewed (and already at the turn of 60–80 thousand km, oil consumption can reach 2–3 liters per 10 thousand km). If there is insufficient lubrication, the chain drive of the gas distribution mechanism will be the first to suffer, which entails replacing not only the chain itself, but also the sprockets with the tensioner assembly - otherwise the service life of the new chain will be extremely short. Under normal conditions, it steadily takes care of 150–160 thousand km, and the engine itself before the first replacement of rings is 250–300 thousand km.

During active city driving, fuel consumption can easily reach 15–16 l/100 km, although on the highway you can reach 11–13 l. The JB424 engine (2.4 l, 168 hp) is generally similar to its younger brother. The main brand of gasoline is AI-92, but in the summer, for long trips along the highways, AI-95 will not be out of place. Due to the low liter power and the successful layout of the engine compartment, the engines are not prone to overheating - another plus for long-term off-road driving (but this does not cancel out regular cleaning of radiators at a car wash). The older brother - JB424 - is distinguished by much higher fuel consumption in operation, which largely caused a drop in demand for such modifications among residents of megacities - in combination with an automatic transmission, its value could reach 20 l/100 km!

Another sore spot is catalytic converters. In the Grand Vitara they lose the required efficiency at the threshold of 60–80 thousand km. Self-repair will cost approximately 40 thousand rubles. When installing non-original replacements, the costs will be lower - the favorable location behind the exhaust manifold makes it easy to select a universal part that is suitable in size, even Volgov. The low service life of these expensive components is also noted on other models of this brand, and a loss of efficiency below the permissible level is detected much earlier than the insides of the catalyst begin to fall apart - this is a clear indication of excessive savings in precious metals in the assembly.

The suspension of the Suzuki Grand Vitara resists Russian realities with dignity and rarely requires serious repairs before 80–100 thousand km. The exception has traditionally been the fastening parts of the front stabilizer to the suspension arms and body, which, with frequent off-road driving, are returned every 20–25 thousand km, even if replaced only with original ones. The service life of wheel bearings greatly depends on operating conditions; on smooth roads, 150 thousand km is far from the limit, and with frequent use far from asphalt, the service life can be halved, and the units will require replacement after 70–80 thousand km. The bearing is replaced as an assembly with the hub, the cost of the original unit ranges from 7–9 thousand rubles. At the turn of 80-90 thousand km, the front levers, whose silent blocks, as a rule, become unusable, will also require revision. It also doesn’t hurt to check the condition of the ball joints, which are made of a single piece with levers.

Tuning for the “rogue”

The main advantage of the Suzuki Grand Vitara is that the car is very good off-road for its class, which makes up for many of its shortcomings. For those who like to “go deeper,” the market has a lot of offers for off-road modifications. The simplest are kits that allow you to increase the vehicle's ground clearance by 3–4.5 cm (at a nominal 20 cm). This increase in ground clearance does not entail a critical change in wheel alignment angles, which has a positive effect on the mileage of tires and suspension parts. The cost of such modifications is 30–50 thousand rubles.

Very simple solutions, consisting of installing spacers above the springs, quickly kill the standard struts due to changes in the suspension travel and zero position. When frequently crossing water obstacles, the electric drive of the transmission mode selector in the transfer case (14 thousand rubles) falls into the risk group, and here the seals are not of very high quality.

In general, in the city, the car’s off-road capabilities are clearly excessive (although confidence on slippery surfaces is akin to all-wheel drive premium sedans), and for real off-road conditions they are insufficient.

When purchasing, it is wiser to give the main priority to copies sold through a network of official dealers, with a confirmed maintenance history and with remaining warranty - such cars do not have problems with “crooked” customs clearance, and the overall probability of running into a vehicle with a criminal record is not very high - from -due to its specific niche of fans, the car was of little interest to car thieves, although some surge in thefts can be expected for the purpose of dismantling cars for spare parts.

The Last Samurai: choosing a used Suzuki Grand Vitara