very good

Suzuki calls its primary sport utility vehicle an offroad athlete. The Grand Vitara is based on a purely Suzuki design, and competitors include the Honda CR-V, Hyundai Tucson and Toyota RAV4. Changes for 2007 are minimal.

it still has the goods to perform decently off-road as well - with features like a ladder frame and truck-style four-wheel-drive with low range gearing. The redesigned Vitara's unibody construction, along with a fully independent suspension, makes for kinder, gentler ride and handling characteristics than the previous truck-based generation could muster.

Power comes from a 2.7-liter V-6 engine that generates 185 horsepower and 184 pound-feet of torque, with a choice of a five-speed manual or five-speed automatic transmission. An available, dual-range, Four Mode four-wheel-drive system includes a two-speed transfer case with low-range gearing for off-road use - along with a fully automatic single-mode version.

Front-side and side-curtain airbags are offered, along with anti-lock brakes with Electronic Brakeforce Distribution, and stability and traction control systems.