Blast from the past – Suzuki Grand Vitara Review Mini website – Technical Specifications Part 1

Welcome to another historical repost from a mini website I put up a very long time ago (January 2003). The subject of the website in question is the Suzuki Grand Vitara – a vehicle in the compact 4WD class 20 years ago. The automotive world have changed over the years and no one except Suzuki makes small yet real 4WD aka the Suzuki Jimny of course and they are no longer called 4X4 but SUVs. 

As with all ‘Blast from the Past’ posts keep in mind they where written decades ago and represented the last updates I did before resting them and don’t translate well to 2025. Nonetheless enjoy the content! 

Suzuki Grand Vitara Review – Site index
Introduction – Summary	Technical specifications 1
3 month ownership review	Technical specifications 2
6 month ownership review	Archive material 1
12 month ownership review	Archive material 2
2006-2010 Suzuki Grand Vitara	Suzuki Grand Vitara FAQ

Mech and Tech

Grand Vitara Mechanical & Technical Information Prior to October 2008

This page is for technical information on the Grand Vitara between 1998 and 2008, essentially until the introduction of the JB Series 2 versions to be released September 2008.

I’ve tried to put all the technical and mechanical specifications stuff related to the Grand Vitara into this page since its getting quite crowded else where on the site.

Model history

1988 – Original SWB 3 door released.
1991 – Original LWB 5 door released.
1995 – First major update of original range.
1998 – New shape LWB 5 door released.
1999 – New shape SWB 3 door released.
2001 – First major update of range.
          Front grille change, alloys and equipment.
          More power and torque for engines.
2001 – XL-7 released. (Extra long wheelbase)
2003 – Huge update to interior and equipment.
          Only interior changes.
          New XL-7 front end followed 3 months later.
2005 – September/October all new models 3 and 5 door 
          only. XL-7 unchanged.
2008 – September new engines and extra 
          safety equipment.

The Engines

Oct 2005 –  September 2008

16 Valve 1.6 Litre 4 cylinder engine (M16A)
with variable valve tech or VVTi
(73Kw @ 5600rpm and 139Nm @ 4100rpm)

16 Valve 2.0 Litre 4 cylinder engine (J20A)
(103Kw @ 6000rpm and 183Nm @ 4000rpm)

24 Valve 2.7 Litre V6 cylinder engine (H27A)
(135Kw @ 6000rpm and 250Nm @ 4500rpm)

Direct Injection Diesel 1.9 Litre 4 cylinder engine. (F9Q)
(95Kw @ 3750rpm and 300Nm @ 2000rpm)

2004

In 2004 Suzuki revised the 2.7 engine to 135Kw and 250Nm @ 3300rpm.  I do not know the details of the changes that where made.

2001

In 2001 Suzuki released the XL-7 essentially a stretched version of the normal SGV with a new 2.7 litre V6. This engine has the stats of 130kw @ 6200rpm and 231Nm @ 3300rpm of torque. Again I am not sure how different this engine is to the 2.5 litre V6 or whether it is another re-bore.

1998

In 1998 the original shape was replaced by the butch one and renamed Grand Vitara.

There are 3 petrol EFI engines available :
A 1.6 litre 4 cylinder SOHC 16 valve (G16B)
(69Kw @ 5200rpm and 138Nm at 4000rpm)
This was only available in the SWB.

A revised 2.0 litre 4 cylinder DOHC 16 valve (J20A) .
(94kw @ 6000rpm and 174Nm @ 2900rpm)
Available in SWB and LWB forms.

And a new 2.5 litre V6 Quad Cam 24 valve (H25A) appeared with the new model.
(106Kw @ 6200rpm and 208Nm @ 3500rpm)
The engine was modified in 2001 to increased power and torque 116Kw & 213Nm.
I am not sure how similar it is to the original 2.0 litre V6.  This was only available in the LWB.

In some parts of the world there are 2 diesel engines are also available.
2.0 litre 8 valve SOHC (RHZ)
2.0 litre 8 valve SOHC (RF)

The new model’s 2.0 litre diesel is from Renult.

Fuel consumption is interesting. Mine is currently using 10-11 litres per 100km in 2WD mode. It also seems to be getting more economical as it clocks up more Kms. When new, for the first 2000kms the figure was higher and hovered between 12-13 litres per hundred. Bearing in mind I have a manual SWB version. In 4WD mode the consumption didn’t seem to increase very much so far.

1995

In 1995 a new V6 Quad-Cam 24 Valve 2.0 litre engine was released for the LWB or Estate.
(103Kw @ 6500rpm and 177Nm @ 4000rpm)
The engine was a joint venture between Mazda and Suzuki and it can also be found I presumed in a slightly modified fashion in the Mazda 323 Astina and various Eunos models of the same era.

Towards the end of the original model shape a 2.0 litre 4 cylinder DOHC engine appeared. It was available for both SWB and LWB.  The original version of the current one.
(97kw @ 6300rpm and 166Nm @ 2900rpm)
It is common knowledge that the engine was a re-bore or large capacity engine for the poor selling 1.8 litre Baleno passenger model.

1988

The original Vitara range in 1988 began with a carbed SOHC 16 Valve 1.6 Litre 4 cylinder engine.
(70Kw @ 5600rpm and 132Nm @ 4000rpm)
The engine was EFI-ed in 1994.
(74Kw @ 5200rpm and 122 Nm @ 3100rpm)

The range was eventually expanded to a LWB or Estate as Suzuki called it in 1991.

Approximate Top Speeds

1998-2005

1.6 I4 G16B 3Dr 150kph
2.0 I4 J20A  3Dr 165kph
2.5 V6 H25A 5Dr 175kph
2.7 V6 H27A XL-7 175kph

Approximate Revs per Speed

1998-2005

For J20A 4 cylinder manual :

5th gear cruising
110kph – 3400rpm
120kph – 3750rpm
130kph – 4000rpm
140kph – 4400rpm
(I presume there was a headwind at 140kph or a speedo error)

Towing

The SGV has a decent towing capacity and I have seen a few towing smaller caravans 10 or 12 foot ones in outback Australia but not many.  That said, the towing capacity of the Grand Vitara is excellent. The following applies to 2006 onwards models.

3-Door
550Kg unbraked trailer
1600kg braked trailer

5-Door
750Kg unbraked trailer
2000Kg braked trailer

The following applies to pre-October 2005 models.

3-Door
550Kg unbraked trailer
1600kg braked trailer

5-Door
700Kg unbraked trailer
1850Kg braked trailer