2011 Suzuki Grand Vitara

Trims, performance, features, fuel economy, safety and known problems — with the pros and cons against similar 2011 models.

Class
Sport Utility Vehicle - 2WD
Body styles
4dr SUV AWD Jx/Jlx/Jlx-L
Engines
2.4L 4-cyl
Drivetrain
Rear-Wheel Drive, 4-Wheel Drive
Fuel
Regular Gasoline
MPG (best)
22 combined · 19 city / 25 hwy
Length
168.9 in
Curb weight
3,651 lb
NHTSA rating
Not rated
Recalls
4 campaigns

Pros & cons

What's good

  • AWD / 4WD available
  • Few owner complaints2 complaints filed with NHTSA versus about 108 for similar models.

Watch out for

No weak spots against similar models in the data.

Calculated from EPA, NHTSA and vPIC data against 15 similar 2011 models — not a review. How we calculate this →

Overview

The 2011 Suzuki Grand Vitara is a SUV - offered with a 2.4L 4-cyl engine and rear-wheel drive and 4-wheel drive.

It measures about 169 inches long and 71 inches wide on a 104-inch wheelbase, with a curb weight of roughly 3,651 lb.

EPA rates its most efficient version at 22 MPG combined (19 city / 25 highway), 5% better than the 2011 SUV - average of 20.9 MPG, for an estimated $3,050 a year in fuel.

NHTSA has not published a 5-Star overall rating for this model year.

It has 4 recall campaigns on file and owners have filed 2 complaints with NHTSA since 2015, most often about the air bags.

What changed for 2011

  • Engine dropped: 3.2L 6-cyl

Compared with 2010; trim, feature and price changes aren't covered. See the 2010 Grand Vitara →

Dimensions & weight

BodyLengthWidthHeightWheelbaseTrack F / RCurb weightWeight F/R
4dr SUV AWD Jx/Jlx/Jlx-L168.9 in71.3 in66.5 in103.9 in60.6 / 61.4 in3,651 lb50/50

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 Vitara2.4L 4-cylManual 5-spdRear-Wheel Drive19 / 25 / 22+5%$3,050404
Grand Vitara2.4L 4-cylAutomatic 4-spdRear-Wheel Drive19 / 24 / 210%$3,200423
Grand Vitara 4WD2.4L 4-cylAutomatic 4-spd4-Wheel Drive19 / 23 / 20+6%$3,350444
Spend $3,250Fuel over 5 years vs. average new car
20.9 MPG2011 Sport Utility Vehicle - 2WD average

EPA estimates; "vs. class" is combined MPG against the 2011 EPA class average. How we calculate this →

Safety ratings & technology

NHTSA has not published 5-Star ratings for the 2011 Suzuki Grand Vitara.

Similar 2011 SUV -s

ModelBest MPG / rangeNHTSA overallRecalls
2011 Suzuki Grand Vitara (this car)22 MPGNot rated4
2011 Honda CR-V24 MPGNot rated13
2011 Hyundai Tucson25 MPGNot rated5
2011 Volkswagen Tiguan22 MPGNot rated3
2011 Kia Sportage25 MPGNot rated6
2011 Ford Escape32 MPGNot rated2
2011 Toyota FJ Cruiser19 MPGNot rated6

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.
Power Train › Manual Transmission · Feb 9, 2017

NHTSA campaign 17V085000 · 791 vehicles

Problem
Suzuki Motor of America, Inc. (Suzuki) is recalling certain 2009-2013 Grand Vitara vehicles equipped with a manual transmission. The gear shift rear shaft on these vehicles may break, preventing the gears from being able to be changed.
Risk
If the transmission cannot be shifted, it can increase the risk of a crash.
Fix
Suzuki will notify owners, and dealers will replace the gear shift rear shaft, free of charge. The recall began March 2017. Owners may contact Suzuki customer service at 1-800-934-0934. Suzuki's number for this recall is VZ.
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.
Electrical System › Alternator/Generator/Regulator · Jan 27, 2011

NHTSA campaign 11V055000 · 32,291 vehicles

Problem
SUZUKI IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2009-2010 SUZUKI GRAND VITARA MULTIPURPOSE PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH 4-CYLINDER ENGINES; MODEL YEAR 2011 SUZUKI GRAND VITARA MULTIPURPOSE PASSENGER VEHICLES PRODUCED PRIOR TO OCTOBER 17, 2010; MODEL YEAR 2010 SUZUKI SX4 PASSENGER VEHICLES; AND 2011 SUZUKI SX4 PASSENGER VEHICLES PRODUCED PRIOR TO OCTOBER 14, 2010. THE TENSION ADJUSTER PULLEY FOR THE DRIVE BELT THAT OPERATES THE ALTERNATOR, WATER PUMP, AIR CONDITIONER COMPRESSOR AND POWER STEERING PUMP, HAS AN IMPROPERLY MANUFACTURED INTERNAL SPRING THAT CAN BREAK DUE TO REPEATED STRESS. IF THE SPRING BREAKS, THE DRIVE BELT WILL NOT BE ADJUSTED PROPERLY AND CAN SLIP, CAUSING A SQUEAKING NOISE. OR THE DRIVE BELT COULD COME OFF CAUSING THE DRIVER TO INCREASE TO STEER THE VEHICLE. THIS CAN ALSO CAUSE THE COOLANT TEMPERATURE INDICATION TO RISE, WHICH CAN LEAD TO THE ENGINE OVERHEATING, OR CAN CAUSE THE CHARGING LIGHT TO COME ON, WHICH CAN LEAD TO BATTERY DISCHARGE AND ENGINE STALL.
Risk
IF THE DRIVE BELT COMES OFF, REQUIRING THE DRIVER TO USE INCREASED STEERING EFFORT, OR THE ENGINE STALLS, A VEHICLE CRASH COULD OCCUR
Fix
DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE TENSION ADJUSTER PULLEY WITH AN IMPROVED PART. THIS SERVICE WILL BE PERFORMED FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON FEBRUARY 16, 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SUZUKI AT 1-887-697-8985 OR VISIT SUZUKI'S WEBSITE AT HTTP://WWW.SUZUKIAUTO.COM.
Check your VIN for open recalls at NHTSA ↗

Not every 2011 Suzuki Grand Vitara is affected — only a VIN check confirms your car.

Owner-reported problems

2Complaints to NHTSA since 2015
0Involved a crash
0Involved a fire
0Injuries reported
38,826 miTypical mileage at failure
Air Bags1
Unknown Or Other1
Complaints received per month (last 24 months with reports)
18/02: 119/12: 118/0219/12max 1

Unverified owner reports; best-sellers collect more.

Used 2011 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 — 1 owner reports. Confirm the airbag warning light turns off after start-up and any airbag recall was completed.
  3. Mileage to watch. Owners typically reported problems around 38,826 miles; ask what was repaired near that point.
  4. Before you pay: service records, a history report and an independent inspection.

Generated by DecodedCars from NHTSA recalls and owner complaints for the 2011 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
2010 Grand Vitara22168.9 inNot rated514
2009 Grand Vitara22168.9 inNot rated49
2008 Grand Vitara19168.9 inNot rated216
2007 Grand Vitara19168.9 inNot rated213
2006 Grand Vitara19168.9 inNot rated427
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 →