Four-star Grand Vitara goes Trekking

SUZUKI Australia has reintroduced a Trekker limited-edition version of its Grand Vitara compact SUV, adding a claimed $3000 worth of extra equipment to both the three-door and five-door models (excluding Prestige variants).

Extra equipment onboard includes a Garmin GPS navigation system, a 21-litre Waeco portable fridge/warmer, a six-stacker CD system, a cargo net and floor mat set.

Outside, there is a nudge bar, headlamp and bonnet protectors and front weather shields. Pricing starts from $23,990 for the three-door, rising to $28,990 for the 2.0-litre five-door and $30,990 for the 2.7-litre V6 five-door. Auto is available on five-door models for an extra $2000.



Left: Grand Vitara meets the ENCAP crash barrier.

Meantime, late last month the five-door Grand Vitara achieved a four-star adult occupant protection rating from Euro NCAP, which was on a par with most other compact SUVs but a rung below the forthcoming Land Rover Freelander 2.

Land Rover's redesigned compact SUV (on sale here in July) was also tested last month and became the first in its class to achieve five stars.