Now, the new 2.4-litre, 166-hp, 4-cylinder engine is equipping all four Grand Vitara variations: JA, JX, JLX and JLX-L, the latter referring to the high-end, leather-clad model.

As for the 2.7-litre V6 powering the current generation of the Grand Vitara, launched in 2006, it has made way for a new 3.2-litre engine. More potent (230 ponies instead of 185), the new V6 produces a lot more torque at low RPM: 213 ft-lb at 3,500 RPM compared to 184 ft-lb at 4,500 RPM.

The dash board layout is simple and efficient.

Available on the JLX and JLX-L versions, it's coupled with a 5-speed automatic and very flexible transmission. As for the 4-cylinder models, they've teamed up with a 4-speed automatic transmission. A 5-speed manual is available on the basic model only.

More get up and go
This V6 doesn't bring any extra towing capacity to the table, and it's its flexibility and performance that make all the difference. Even if it can bound from 0 to 100 km/h 1.5 seconds faster than its old counterpart, it does so with less regular gas: 0.3 litres less per 100 km on average, according to the manufacturer's numbers.

Naturally, buyers looking for fuel efficiency will opt for the 4-cylinder mill, which swallows one litre less per 100 km than the V6 offered in 2008.

An advanced 4x4
All the versions of the Grand Vitara, except the JA, are equipped with a four-mode, driver-selectable, four-wheel-drive system. The system is reactive (in 4H mode, it sends power to the front wheels when a rear wheel loses traction) and features low settings for off-road driving.

The 2009 Grand Vitara V6s benefit from an exclusive hill descent control and hill hold control system. The brakes are easy to measure out and now feature discs on all four wheels.

The Grand Vitara is one of the rare vehicles that still sport an exterior spare tire.