2006 Suzuki Grand Vitara

Trims, performance, features, fuel economy, safety and known problems — with the pros and cons against similar 2006 models.

Class
Sport Utility Vehicle - 2WD
Body styles
4dr 4WD V6 Ja/Jx/Jlx
Engines
2.7L 6-cyl
Drivetrain
Rear-Wheel Drive, 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive
Fuel
Regular Gasoline
MPG (best)
19 combined · 17 city / 22 hwy
Length
168.9 in
Curb weight
3,638 lb
NHTSA rating
Not rated
Recalls
4 campaigns

Pros & cons

What's good

  • AWD / 4WD available

Watch out for

No weak spots against similar models in the data.

Calculated from EPA, NHTSA and vPIC data against 20 similar 2006 models — not a review. How we calculate this →

Overview

The 2006 Suzuki Grand Vitara is a SUV - offered with a 2.7L 6-cyl engine and rear-wheel drive and 4-wheel or all-wheel drive.

It measures about 169 inches long and 71 inches wide on a 104-inch wheelbase, with a curb weight of roughly 3,638 lb.

EPA rates its most efficient version at 19 MPG combined (17 city / 22 highway), 4% better than the 2006 SUV - average of 18.3 MPG, for an estimated $3,550 a year in fuel.

It has 4 recall campaigns on file and owners have filed 27 complaints with NHTSA since 2015, most often about the air bags.

What changed for 2006

  • New body dimensions: 7.5 in longer, wheelbase +6.3 in — most likely a redesign or new generation
  • Engine dropped: 2.5L 6-cyl

Compared with 2005; trim, feature and price changes aren't covered. See the 2005 Grand Vitara →

Dimensions & weight

BodyLengthWidthHeightWheelbaseTrack F / RCurb weightWeight F/R
4dr 4WD V6 Ja/Jx/Jlx168.9 in71.3 in66.9 in103.9 in60.2 / 60.6 in3,638 lb51/49

Transport Canada CVS (Open Government Licence – Canada), Canadian-market figures.

Will it fit your garage? Check with your measurements →

Engines, MPG & running costs

VersionEngineTransmissionDriveCity / Hwy / Combvs. classFuel / yrCO₂ g/mi
Grand Vitara2.7L 6-cylAutomatic 5-spdRear-Wheel Drive17 / 22 / 19+4%$3,550468
Grand Vitara AWD2.7L 6-cylAutomatic 5-spd4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive17 / 21 / 19+12%$3,550468
Grand Vitara2.7L 6-cylManual 5-spdRear-Wheel Drive16 / 22 / 18-2%$3,700494
Grand Vitara XL72.7L 6-cylAutomatic 5-spdRear-Wheel Drive16 / 21 / 18-2%$3,700494
Grand Vitara AWD2.7L 6-cylManual 5-spd4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive16 / 21 / 18+6%$3,700494
Grand Vitara XL72.7L 6-cylManual 5-spdRear-Wheel Drive15 / 20 / 17-7%$3,950523
Grand Vitara XL7 4WD2.7L 6-cylAutomatic 5-spd4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive15 / 20 / 170%$3,950523
Grand Vitara XL7 4WD2.7L 6-cylManual 5-spd4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive15 / 20 / 170%$3,950523
Spend $5,750Fuel over 5 years vs. average new car
18.3 MPG2006 Sport Utility Vehicle - 2WD average

EPA estimates; "vs. class" is combined MPG against the 2006 EPA class average. How we calculate this →

Safety ratings & technology

NHTSA has not published 5-Star ratings for the 2006 Suzuki Grand Vitara under the current (2011+) test program.

Similar 2006 SUV -s

ModelBest MPG / rangeNHTSA overallRecalls
2006 Suzuki Grand Vitara (this car)19 MPGNot rated4
2006 Toyota Land Cruiser13 MPGNot rated2
2006 Honda CR-V23 MPGNot rated11
2006 Hyundai Tucson22 MPGNot rated1
2006 Subaru Forester22 MPGNot rated1
2006 Kia Sportage22 MPGNot rated0
2006 Hyundai Santa Fe20 MPGNot rated1

Recalls (4)

Air Bags › Sensor › Occupant Classification · Mar 7, 2019

NHTSA campaign 19V187000 · 31,302 vehicles

Problem
Suzuki Motor of America, Inc. (Suzuki) is recalling certain 2010-2013 Kizashi and 2006-2013 Grand Vitara vehicles. The front passenger leather seat may shrink due to high humidity and high temperature. As a result, the occupant classification system (OCS) sensor mat may not accurately detect if an adult or child is occupying the seat.
Risk
In the event of a crash necessitating airbag deployment, an incorrect classification may result in the passenger frontal air bag deploying even if there is a child in the front passenger seat, increasing their risk of injury.
Fix
Suzuki will notify owners, and dealers will replace the seat bottom cushion, free of charge. Interim owner notification letters were mailed on May 3, 2019. All second letters notifying owners of the remedy were mailed by April 10, 2020. Owners may contact Suzuki customer service at 1-800-934-0934. Suzuki's numbers for this recall are 4011 and 4012.
Steering › Hydraulic Power Assist System · Sep 25, 2018

NHTSA campaign 18V667000 · 304 vehicles

Problem
Suzuki Motor of America, Inc. (Suzuki) is recalling certain 2006 Suzuki Grand Vitara vehicles. The power steering pump belt tension adjuster pulley has an outer portion that is made of plastic. Repeated heat stress can cause the plastic material to deteriorate, causing pieces of the pulley to break off.
Risk
Broken pieces of the pulley can get caught between the pulley and the drive belt, causing the drive belt to come off, resulting in a sudden loss of power steering assist, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix
Suzuki will notify owners, and dealers will replace the power steering pump drive belt tension adjuster pulley, free of charge. The recall began November 9, 2018. Owners may contact Suzuki customer service at 1-800-934-0934. Suzuki's number for this recall is 4009. Note: The vehicles included in this recall were not previously recalled under 10V-250.
Air Bags · Sep 6, 2013

NHTSA campaign 13V405000 · 189,901 vehicles

Problem
Suzuki Motor of America, Inc. (Suzuki) is recalling certain model year 2006-2011 Grand Vitara and 2007-2011 SX4 vehicles. In the affected vehicles, over time, the OCS sensor mat installed in the front passenger seat may fail due to repeated flexing of the mat from use of the seat. As a result, during a crash necessitating deployment, the air bag will deploy regardless of whether the front seat occupant is an adult or a child.
Risk
Air bag deployment with a child in the front passenger side seat increases the risk of injury to that child.
Fix
Suzuki will notify owners and dealers will replace the front passenger seat cushion assembly (which includes the OCS sensor mat) free of charge. Sufficient quantities of parts are not currently available to fix all of the affected vehicles. Owners will be notified of the recall in October 2013 and will receive a second notification when parts are available to have their vehicle repaired. The recall began on May 23, 2014. Owners may contact Suzuki at 1-800-934-0934. Suzuki's recall campaign number is VD.
Steering › Hydraulic Power Assist › Pump · Jun 9, 2010

NHTSA campaign 10V250000 · 46,549 vehicles

Problem
SUZUKI IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR MODEL YEAR 2006 GRAND VITARA AND MODEL YEAR 2005-2006 XL-7 VEHICLES. THE TENSION ADJUSTER PULLEY FOR THE DRIVE BELT THAT OPERATES THE POWER STEERING PUMP AND AIR CONDITIONER COMPRESSOR (IF EQUIPPED) HAS AN OUTER PORTION THAT IS MADE OF PLASTIC. REPEATED HEAT STRESS CAN CAUSE THE PLASTIC MATERIAL TO DETERIORATE AND PIECES OF THE PULLEY CAN BREAK OFF.
Risk
BROKEN PIECES OF THE PULLEY CAN GET CAUGHT BETWEEN THE PULLEY AND THE DRIVE BELT, CAUSING THE DRIVE BELT TO COME OFF AND RESULTING IN THE DRIVER NEEDING INCREASED EFFORT TO STEER THE VEHICLE INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Fix
DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE POWER STEERING PUMP DRIVE BELT TENSION ADJUSTER PULLEY FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON JUNE 28, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SUZUKI AT 1-800-934-0934.
Check your VIN for open recalls at NHTSA ↗

Not every 2006 Suzuki Grand Vitara is affected — only a VIN check confirms your car.

Owner-reported problems

27Complaints to NHTSA since 2015
3Involved a crash
0Involved a fire
3Injuries reported
72,500 miTypical mileage at failure
Air Bags9
Electrical System7
Exterior Lighting5
Engine3
Unknown Or Other3
Vehicle Speed Control3
Steering3
Suspension1
Complaints received per month (last 24 months with reports)
15/01: 215/02: 115/05: 215/06: 115/07: 415/10: 115/11: 215/12: 116/03: 116/04: 117/06: 117/07: 117/10: 218/04: 120/04: 120/11: 120/12: 122/01: 123/04: 126/07: 115/0115/0615/1116/0417/1020/1123/04max 4

Unverified owner reports; best-sellers collect more.

Used 2006 Suzuki Grand Vitara buyer's checklist

  1. Run the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. 4 recalls this year — ask for proof of repairs.
  2. Air Bags — 9 owner reports. Confirm the airbag warning light turns off after start-up and any airbag recall was completed.
  3. Electrical System — 7 owner reports. Test every window, lock, light, screen and USB port; check the battery age.
  4. Exterior Lighting — 5 owner reports. Check all exterior lights, wipers and the windshield for cracks.
  5. Mileage to watch. Owners typically reported problems around 72,500 miles; ask what was repaired near that point.
  6. Before you pay: service records, a history report and an independent inspection.

Generated by DecodedCars from NHTSA recalls and owner complaints for the 2006 Suzuki Grand Vitara. Not a substitute for a professional inspection.

Other Grand Vitara years

Compare all years →
YearMPG (best)LengthOverallRecallsComplaints
2013 Grand Vitara22168.9 inNot rated24
2012 Grand Vitara22168.9 inNot rated211
2011 Grand Vitara22168.9 inNot rated42
2010 Grand Vitara22168.9 inNot rated514
2009 Grand Vitara22168.9 inNot rated49
2008 Grand Vitara19168.9 inNot rated216
2007 Grand Vitara19168.9 inNot rated213
2005 Grand Vitara18161.4 inNot rated00

Sources: EPA, NHTSA, Transport Canada, Wikimedia Commons. Not affiliated with NHTSA, the EPA or Suzuki. How we calculate this →