News Release
Suzuki Grand Vitara Tops in Thrifty Running Costs
15 October 2008
The Suzuki Grand Vitara has emerged tops in a British award evaluating cars with low running costs.
Auto Express, a prominent weekly motoring journal in the UK, elected the 1.6-litre 3-door Grand Vitara as the least expensive model to own and run in the Compact Sport Utility Vehicle class.
It was the only four-wheel-drive recreational vehicle to win one of the five categories in which costs were calculated over a three-year period and 50,000 kilometres of motoring.
All major financial factors of car ownership were considered, including purchase price, depreciation, fuel economy, servicing and insurance.
Judges said the versatile Grand Vitara “bucks the SUV trend and it’s such a bargain to run”.
“An off-roader isn’t an obvious choice for low running costs but the Suzuki Grand Vitara is an exception, as its 1.6-litre engines offers 32.8 miles per gallon (8.6 litres/100 km) and 205 g/km emissions,” said the magazine.
In comparison with most four-wheel-drives, the relatively low emissions kept the Grand Vitara out of the top UK tax band.
After calculating all costs – including depreciation – the Grand Vitara averaged about the equivalent of 64 cents a kilometre over three years. This compared with $2.18 for a Range Rover V8.
The Suzuki was praised for its pricing and high level of standard equipment, even on the entry-level version.
In New Zealand the 3-door Grand Vitara has a highly competitive on-road price of $24,990 with a specification that includes climate air conditioning, full electrics, dual front airbags, anti lock brakes with EBD and brake assist.
It is also the only 3-door four-wheel-drive Sport Utility Vehicle available new in
New Zealand.
With its low overall running costs, the 1.6-litre Grand Vitara was the only Japanese car to win one of the five categories.
Auto Express commended the Grand Vitara for being “a proper off-roader with permanent four-wheel-drive”.
“As the price of driving rises, we’re all looking to make our money go further,” said the publication in its survey of Britain’s top penny pinches.
“By choosing a car with low running costs, buyers can save thousands,” said
Auto Express.
The British accolade came in the wake of the Grand Vitara being voted best compact SUV for 2008 by a major Australian four-wheel-drive magazine.
“Availability of the 1.6-litre Grand Vitara and the 1.3-litre Jimny enables Suzuki to offer two hard-working SUV models at highly reasonable prices,” said Tom Peck, General Manager of Marketing for Suzuki New Zealand Ltd.
The JX version of Jimny is priced at $16,990, making it the least expensive 4WD model sold in New Zealand. A higher grade Jimny Sierra model is $20,500 with manual transmission and $21,990 when specified as an automatic.
Like the Grand Vitara, the Jimny has a full ladder frame chassis for strength and rigidity.
This is significant for owners who are serious about four-wheel-driving. In Australia is it estimated 60 per cent of Grand Vitara drivers take their cars off-road.
Jimny is the smallest of the Suzuki SUV models and averages 7.2 litres/100 km (39.2 miles per gallon) in the official combined fuel consumption test.
Both models feature efficient double overhead camshaft engines with variable valve timing technology.
“The Jimny is widely acknowledged as a remarkably talented four-wheel drive,” said Tom Peck. “Because of its ultra-compact dimensions and ‘cute’ factor, it is easily underestimated.”
In reality, Jimny can take on and beat much larger and more powerful all-terrainers in sheer 4X4 terms, he said.
Suzuki New Zealand said both Grand Vitara and Jimny were clearly the most affordable true all-wheel-drive vehicles available in New Zealand.
