Dec 04, 2015 09:09 AM
26885 Views
Australians in the outback swear by it, farmers in argentina buy it by the load, yes I am talking about the 1998- 2004 Grand Vitara Xl7- was sold here by Maruti. Though If you look at things currently, you might say it is a 15 year old car with farmyard technology. I agree but'what a piece of equipment.' The thing can cruise at 160 KM/Hr all day on the highway and if you like to take the uncharted road, it will be the best companion you can have. the powerful V6 engine is still a benchmark for small capacity opposing 6 cylinder configuration. the indestructible chassis can take the beating all day long and then some.
The gem of a 5 speed gear box with piggyback low ration setup, can take the slush and sand without any discomfort. it just stops short of rock climbing. The torque is more than enough to slug out harshest of terrains even on semi road tyres. It even performs excellent in snow . We had taken it to hills in december last to last year, and overnight the whole place was snowed in badly, and the only car that was drivable without ice chains was the vitara and one neighbours land rover freelander .
Even mahindras got stuck. It is actually a perfect SUV for the hills. One dab on the accelerator and you overtake the truck with ease, that too on a steep slope.It can climb any gradient you throw at it. Thanks to this I have done numerous adventurous trips in india. Next year I am planning to take it to ladakh region. the only setback I might face is the cost of fuel, since it does give a mileage of 5-6 km per liter. specially on stratospheric heights. putting aside the milage issue, the car is easy to maintain, maruti does an excellent job of servicing, however now parts are becoming an issue but for a used car that costs only 2 lack currently in and around delhi, it is still a bargain. The vehicle is just brilliant.I ve recently seen a few of them geared up for desert storm and they look mean, and knowing what its capable of, it will be a breeze for the competitors.
Lastly I would like to compare it to today's competition, for eg. lets take mahindras, they fail totally in comparison to vitara on ergonomic and driving comfort and handling. Most small so called SUV's(duster, ecosport), will not be able to hold a candle when it comes to offroading, or even highway runs.Fortuner, a second hand ones costs ten times that much. Ford Endeavour, is actually a truck, and too big for comfortable drive in cities. The only actual comparison can be made to a pajero, but more likely the newer montero(which is difficult to find, believe me i've tried.) till now ive not been able find a suitable alternative, which might mean that it is still the best for what it does. so heed my advice, if you can live with the fuel bills then you will not be find anything better in the market.
