Hi. I had the same dilemma last year my thought was:
Am I likely to go off road, no.
Do I need 4×4, we have snow a couple of weeks a year and I usually only use main roads that are treated anyway, so no.
It would be something I use rarely and just more to go wrong.

I almost bought an SZ5 but again thought just things I will never use and more to go wrong, so I decided on the SZT,
I used to do 60,000 a year without all the gadgets and never missed them, I think most of the stuff added to cars these days are just gimmicks, and some are just an annoyance.
Love my SZT great car.

 

First - I wouldn't consider a Vitara with AllGrip a 4x4, or even a 4WD, it's AWD or All Wheel Drive, and yes, there is a difference. No, the AllGrip can not be turned off, and even if it could, it wouldn't change the negatives that are mentioned below, it would simply remove the positives.

Second, and I recognize that your idea of going "off road" may be different from mine, but I wouldn't consider it as suitable for going "off road" - primarily because of the lack of clearance underneath the vehicle - mine cannot clear a standard oil drain pan, something which is not an issue with any of the previous generations of Vitaras or Grand Vitaras.

I can't comment on taxation or insurance aspects, those are going to be country specific, but, yes, they are more expensive to maintain, not so much as in the routine maintenance, but from the point of view that there is more to go wrong. One aspect of the routine maintenance stuff that is different between 2WD & AWD/4WD, a potentially expensive one is that with 2WD you can replace tires in pairs, but with AWD/4WD, you're going to want to do in sets of four or five, if you have a full sized spare.

I have not driven a 2WD version of the Vitara, so I can't give you a comparison, but I would expect the consumption on 2WD to be slightly less, it may or may not be enough to make a difference, comfort of the drive is subjective and will be impacted by road conditions which are certainly not going to be the same here as where ever you are. I don't expect there to be a big difference in comfort between the 2WD and the AWD versions, however there will be a difference in the way they handle, especially on a wet or slippery surface, AWD versions will be more "sure footed" pulling away from a stop, especially if you're turning at the same time.

Perhaps approach it as aussie11 has done, do you need the AllGrip or is it just nice to have - in my mind the lack of clearance prevents the Vitara from being considered as suitable for anything other use in the city and the suburbs, and I don't need AWD for that.

 

First - I wouldn't consider a Vitara with AllGrip a 4x4, or even a 4WD, it's AWD or All Wheel Drive, and yes, there is a difference. No, the AllGrip can not be turned off, and even if it could, it wouldn't change the negatives that are mentioned below, it would simply remove the positives.

It’s not what makes me happy, it’s a more accurate description than the one you provided and is obviously what makes Suzuki happy.

 

hi i have a 1.0 gl 2 wheel drive and it is great power does not sound great but car is light and i have just drove for 300km at 100 kmh on motorway and got 4.9 l/100 km ,cheap to insure but bit high on immisions but great car for me i do 15/20000 km a year

 

Having driven both, ill take the allgrip any day.
Wait till you get into a slippery corner in the wet. The allgrip remains neutral, the 2wd gets exciting

Leave it in auto mode unless your in snow or on a grassy paddock.

 

Thanks all for your replies, im doing searches every night as my car is about to be written off. so will need to sort something soon. lots of food for thought in your messages thanks. Still not clear what to do though LOL. But never even considered the S-cross which im just starting to review. as my partner found the Vitara a little high to get in and out of. Thanks all again. Mick

 

But never even considered the S-cross which im just starting to review. as my partner found the Vitara a little high to get in and out of.

This is sort of mind boggling for me - we use the Vitara if we have to take my mother anywhere, she's 5' 1" and turned 95 last year - it's not a tall car.

 

My partner is 5' 2" and has no trouble, you could always get a taller partner or get her bigger heels, then you could have a nice vitara.
Mine is an auto and I cant feel the gear change its so smooth, or hear the engine in fact I have to check the rev counter sometimes to make sure its still running.
I have owned lots of cars and can honestly say this is one of the best to drive.

 

As previous replies - don't bother with all wheel drive unless you need it. Put the money saved towards a set of all season tyres which will improve grip in poor conditions.

 

The AllGrip normally operates in 2WD until it detects slip in which case it can direct power to the rear. There’s also the option to manually switch it to 4WD and lock it; however the system will then revert to 2WD drive above a certain speed to protect the drivetrain. The best part though is being able to switch to sport mode which sharpens up the responses including the 4WD system.

Apart from marginally extra weight, I’m not sure the AllGrip has a significant fuel penalty over the 2WD but there is obviously a price difference.

 

Excerpt from the manual attached. Note that it references 4WD not AWD as Fordem stated.

 

Lol - call it 4WD if it'll make you happy, I just want to make it clear that the fourth generation Vitara is incapable of negotiating the same terrain that it's predecessors (first, second & third generation Vitaras & Grand Vitaras) can.

 

Its "technically" a 4wd as it has a lockable coupling between front and rear drive wheels. No low range tho.

 

Split the difference 3x3

 

Lol.
Well next time he’ll state that they run on dilithium crystals.

 

Thanks everyone great replies, apart form get a new partner LOL. Now looking seriously has been paid out for my car. looking at two an automatic with 35k and manual with 20k, both about same price. just waiting on picture of MPG display, as never trust what a dealer states a car can achieve. (and i now this is not the dealers claim)Thanks again everyone. Mick.