I am notorious for losing things. I own about four pairs of sunglasses because I randomly set them down, misplacing them for weeks at a time. I am constantly looking for my keys, my purse, my coat, etc…
At first glance, the Suzuki Grand Vitara presents a problem for an absent-minded girl like me. The trouble is that the key seemingly must be detached from the key-fob in order to be used. I am sure that I will lose the fob, or worse, the key!
Luckily, with a little reading of the manual, I discover the hidden genius in this key fob. It actually contains a small radio transmitter that allows me to open the doors when the fob is in close proximity to the car. I can even start the car without the key. I just carry the “Smart Pass” in my purse; approach the car, push the button on the door handle and that pops the locks. Then I jump in the car and turn the key stem – no actual key involved. Voila, I never have to dig in my purse and I never have to keep track of my key. What a great simplifier for my hectic life.
The 2006 Suzuki Grand Vitara is comfortable and the manual seat adjustments allow me to fiddle with my vertical position as well as the normal front to back position. Unfortunately, the back seat is not quite as comfy for my kids. The receiver portion of the seat belt is positioned in a way that each child’s booster seat covers it. They each have to scoot their seat closer to the door in order to get buckled (not an easy task for my 4-year-old).
The pre-tensioners on the belts are also very sensitive so that if they lean forward a little too quickly the seatbelt locks up on them. My 13-year-old spends most of his time in the center seat complaining about being stuck in the seat belt. Thankfully, there is enough leg room for my husband (who is 6 feet tall) to tolerate a ride to the museum about 20 miles away, giving my teenager a chance to check out the view from the front seat.
On the bright side, I give this vehicle some serious style-points. It has very sleek lines and really looks sharp on the road – almost European. Strangers approach me in the store parking lot and ask “what kind of car is that?” They follow that question with “it’s really cute.” I even get a thumbs-up from a crowd of 7th- and 8th-graders while I am parked in the pick up line at my son’s middle school.
This Suzuki is not just a pretty face. It has safety features that any mom can appreciate: side-impact airbags, anti-lock brakes and electronic traction control are standard even on the base model. The 4WD system is another plus for me. Also surprising, this little SUV drives much more like a car than a truck.
The large amount of cargo space is also unexpected. I make a post-holiday grocery run to Costco that includes a very large plastic dog house, a case of oranges, three gallons of milk and a variety of other staples. I seriously think I might need to call in reinforcements to pick up the kids so I can put down the 60/40 spit seat. Happily, after some creative packing, I get the door shut without having to tie the kids to the roof. Yipee!
The Grand Vitara is a respectable little SUV for a small family on a budget. It is available with some creature-comfort features such as a sun roof, a 6-disc in dash cd changer, and the “Smart Pass” keyless system for less than 25k.
*For more information on the Suzuki Grand Vitara and its safety features visit www.SuzukiAuto.com.
LET’S TALK NUMBERS
LATCH Connectors: 2
Seating Capacity (includes driver): 5
IT’S THE LITTLE THINGS THAT COUNT
Storage Compartments (Puny, Fair, Ample, Galore): Fair
Cargo/Trunk Space (Puny, Fair, Ample, Galore): Ample
SENSE AND STYLE
Family Friendly (Not Really, Fair, Great, Excellent): Great
Fun-Factor (None, Some, Good Times, Groove-On): Good Times