MADE in Japan stands for something good these days. Having those three words on a label is a guarantee of quality that is as good as any, and usually better.
That is why, in Malaysia, many people eagerly snap up “recond” cars from Japan without worrying about not having any manufacturer’s support or warranty.
That is also why I had very high expectations when Suzuki Malaysia launched the made-in-Japan Grand Vitara at a price that makes it seem cheap compared to competitors such as the locally- or Asean-assembled Nissan X-Trail, Honda CR-V and Ford Escape (but more on the value bit later).
The superb fit and finish on the Suzuki Swift I tried a couple of months earlier lent further credence to the legend of Japanese cars imported in CBU (completely built up) form.
The Grand Vitara’s specifications were extremely impressive. The full package of permanent four-wheel-drive with lockable centre differential and a low-range gearbox are features that none of its rivals can match.
These traction aids are backed up with a beefy frame.
But, unlike the separate body on stepladder frame of its predecessor, the new Suzuki’s chassis is actually a reinforced monocoque – like all cars – with a reinforcing frame permanently welded to the chassis.
The strength of the time-tested body-on-frame design is, well, strength. That’s why trucks have been and are still built this way. Think of it as an endoskeleton (like our bones and those of all mammals) with a strong spine and framework to which the soft bits are attached.
A monocoque, on the other hand, is like an insect’s exoskeleton or hard outer shell. Its advantage is lightness and rigidity, which gives cars their superior ride and road handling.
The built-in ladder frame design promises the civilised road manners of a passenger saloon with the ruggedness of an off-road machine. In reality, the result is a vehicle that drives almost like a car and is nearly as tough as a truck. (The concept is not new – Jeep pioneered the “unibody” construction in the Cherokee back in 1984.)
Keyless operation is another big bragging right for the Grand Vitara. It has it, its rivals don’t. This is a cool feature that allows you to unlock the driver’s door and start the engine as long as the key is on you, whether it’s in your pocket or handbag. You don’t ever have to fear the embarrassment of locking your keys in the car again.
If you value safety (and who doesn’t these days), you’ll love the Grand Vitara’s six airbags (front, side and curtain), along with the expected ABS brakes (ventilated discs in front and drums at the back), electronic brake-force distribution (EBD) and brake-assist.
On paper, at least, the Grand Vitara looks like a sure winner thus far. When you factor in the asking price of just RM139,888 (on the road, without insurance), can there be any doubt?
Well, let’s take a closer look, shall we? First impressions are good. Clean lines and handsome shape on the outside, enhanced by dishy 17” wheels, and a sleek, modern interior all conspire to please the senses. The steering wheel feels as good to hold as it does to look at.
There is ample space and legroom for everyone, although I feel the Grand Vitara probably has less in this department than most of the other light SUVs.
Starting the engine without needing to stick in a key is cool but Suzuki should have gone all the way in copying the high-end boys by giving a starter button instead of the silly looks-like-a-key, feels-like-a-key, turns-like-a-key keyless start.
After just a short drive, the myth of Japanese build quality evaporated like mist in the Malaysian sun. The dashboard squeaked! And there’s something rattling in the back, possibly the rear door or the flimsy privacy cover for the cargo area. Could it be because this was a designated media test car? Abuse by ham-fisted, lead-footed motoring journalists is always possible but there’s only 3,000km on the clock, and it’s supposed to be a tough go-anywhere 4X4 vehicle.
Fortunately, everything else worked just fine. It drives well enough on the road, and the 140PS (103kW) and 183Nm from the 2.0l DOHC engine is adequate for all occasions. When pushed hard, such as flooring the pedal in a drag-style start, the revvy engine delivers but tells you – loudly – that it would rather you take things a bit easier.
I did not have the time or the opportunity to test its off-road capabilities but there is no reason to doubt it will perform. The creaking and rattling would probably increase, though.
If you’re in the market for an SUV, ask yourself this: do you intend to drive off-road, often and hard? If so, the Grand Vitara has far better qualifications than most other vehicles of the same ilk. But, it still won’t outlast a hardcore 4X4 such as a Land Rover or those ubiquitous pick-ups you see everywhere.
If your taste leans towards a strictly tar-only diet, the Grand Vitara can do as well, overall, as any other “light” SUV, even if it is lugging around a fair bit of cool but ultimately unnecessary gear around.
The extra weight and drag could also mean that it won't be as frugal with fuel as it might have been without the low range gears.
On the flipside, you could pay more for other SUVs that offer less, and the Grand Vitara is so attractively priced that it’s like getting a whole load goodies at no cost. I may no longer take Made-in-Japan at face value but the Grand Vitara is still a tempting proposition.