DecodedCars2008 Suzuki Grand Vitara
Trims, performance, features, fuel economy, safety and known problems — with the pros and cons against similar 2008 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
- 2 campaigns
Pros & cons
What's good
- AWD / 4WD available
- Few owner complaints16 complaints filed with NHTSA versus about 74 for similar models.
Watch out for
No weak spots against similar models in the data.
Calculated from EPA, NHTSA and vPIC data against 20 similar 2008 models — not a review. How we calculate this →
Overview
The 2008 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), 1% better than the 2008 SUV - average of 18.9 MPG, for an estimated $3,550 a year in fuel.
It has 2 recall campaigns on file and owners have filed 16 complaints with NHTSA since 2015, most often about the exterior lighting.
What changed for 2008
No changes to engines, powertrains, drivetrains, size, EPA ratings or NHTSA crash rating compared with the 2007 Grand Vitara — a carry-over year in the data.
Compared with 2007; trim, feature and price changes aren't covered. See the 2007 Grand Vitara →
Dimensions & weight
| Body | Length | Width | Height | Wheelbase | Track F / R | Curb weight | Weight F/R |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4dr 4WD V6 Ja/Jx/Jlx | 168.9 in | 71.3 in | 66.9 in | 103.9 in | 60.2 / 60.6 in | 3,638 lb | 51/49 |
Transport Canada CVS (Open Government Licence – Canada), Canadian-market figures.
Will it fit your garage? Check with your measurements →Engines, MPG & running costs
| Version | Engine | Transmission | Drive | City / Hwy / Comb | vs. class | Fuel / yr | CO₂ g/mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Grand Vitara | 2.7L 6-cyl | Automatic 5-spd | Rear-Wheel Drive | 17 / 22 / 19 | +1% | $3,550 | 468 |
| Grand Vitara AWD | 2.7L 6-cyl | Automatic 5-spd | 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 17 / 21 / 19 | +9% | $3,550 | 468 |
| Grand Vitara | 2.7L 6-cyl | Manual 5-spd | Rear-Wheel Drive | 16 / 22 / 18 | -5% | $3,700 | 494 |
| Grand Vitara AWD | 2.7L 6-cyl | Manual 5-spd | 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 16 / 21 / 18 | +3% | $3,700 | 494 |
EPA estimates; "vs. class" is combined MPG against the 2008 EPA class average. How we calculate this →
Safety ratings & technology
NHTSA has not published 5-Star ratings for the 2008 Suzuki Grand Vitara under the current (2011+) test program.
Similar 2008 SUV -s
| Model | Best MPG / range | NHTSA overall | Recalls |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2008 Suzuki Grand Vitara (this car) | 19 MPG | Not rated | 2 |
| 2008 Toyota Land Cruiser | 15 MPG | Not rated | 5 |
| 2008 Honda CR-V | 23 MPG | Not rated | 11 |
| 2008 Hyundai Tucson | 22 MPG | Not rated | 1 |
| 2008 Subaru Forester | 22 MPG | Not rated | 1 |
| 2008 Kia Sportage | 22 MPG | Not rated | 3 |
| 2008 Ford Escape | 32 MPG | Not rated | 3 |
Recalls (2)
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.
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.
Not every 2008 Suzuki Grand Vitara is affected — only a VIN check confirms your car.
Owner-reported problems
Unverified owner reports; best-sellers collect more.
Used 2008 Suzuki Grand Vitara buyer's checklist
- Run the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. 2 recalls this year — ask for proof of repairs.
- Exterior Lighting — 6 owner reports. Check all exterior lights, wipers and the windshield for cracks.
- Air Bags — 5 owner reports. Confirm the airbag warning light turns off after start-up and any airbag recall was completed.
- Electrical System — 3 owner reports. Test every window, lock, light, screen and USB port; check the battery age.
- Mileage to watch. Owners typically reported problems around 88,000 miles; ask what was repaired near that point.
- Before you pay: service records, a history report and an independent inspection.
Generated by DecodedCars from NHTSA recalls and owner complaints for the 2008 Suzuki Grand Vitara. Not a substitute for a professional inspection.
Other Grand Vitara years
Compare all years →| Year | MPG (best) | Length | Overall | Recalls | Complaints |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2013 Grand Vitara | 22 | 168.9 in | Not rated | 2 | 4 |
| 2012 Grand Vitara | 22 | 168.9 in | Not rated | 2 | 11 |
| 2011 Grand Vitara | 22 | 168.9 in | Not rated | 4 | 2 |
| 2010 Grand Vitara | 22 | 168.9 in | Not rated | 5 | 14 |
| 2009 Grand Vitara | 22 | 168.9 in | Not rated | 4 | 9 |
| 2007 Grand Vitara | 19 | 168.9 in | Not rated | 2 | 13 |
| 2006 Grand Vitara | 19 | 168.9 in | Not rated | 4 | 27 |
| 2005 Grand Vitara | 18 | 161.4 in | Not rated | 0 | 0 |
Sources: EPA, NHTSA, Transport Canada, Wikimedia Commons. Not affiliated with NHTSA, the EPA or Suzuki. How we calculate this →