DecodedCars2012 Suzuki Grand Vitara
Trims, performance, features, fuel economy, safety and known problems — with the pros and cons against similar 2012 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
- 2 campaigns
Pros & cons
What's good
- AWD / 4WD available
- Few owner complaints11 complaints filed with NHTSA versus about 147 for similar models.
Watch out for
No weak spots against similar models in the data.
Calculated from EPA, NHTSA and vPIC data against 13 similar 2012 models — not a review. How we calculate this →
Overview
The 2012 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 2012 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 2 recall campaigns on file and owners have filed 11 complaints with NHTSA since 2015, most often about the air bags.
What changed for 2012
No changes to engines, powertrains, drivetrains, size, EPA ratings or NHTSA crash rating compared with the 2011 Grand Vitara — a carry-over year in the data.
Compared with 2011; trim, feature and price changes aren't covered. See the 2011 Grand Vitara →
Dimensions & weight
| Body | Length | Width | Height | Wheelbase | Track F / R | Curb weight | Weight F/R |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4dr SUV AWD Jx/Jlx/Jlx-L | 168.9 in | 71.3 in | 66.5 in | 103.9 in | 60.6 / 61.4 in | 3,651 lb | 50/50 |
Transport Canada CVS (Open Government Licence – Canada), Canadian-market figures.
Will it fit your garage? Check with your measurements →Engines, MPG & running costs
| Version | Engine | Transmission | Drive | City / Hwy / Comb | vs. class | Fuel / yr | CO₂ g/mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Grand Vitara | 2.4L 4-cyl | Manual 5-spd | Rear-Wheel Drive | 19 / 25 / 22 | +5% | $3,050 | 404 |
| Grand Vitara | 2.4L 4-cyl | Automatic 4-spd | Rear-Wheel Drive | 19 / 24 / 21 | 0% | $3,200 | 423 |
| Grand Vitara 4WD | 2.4L 4-cyl | Automatic 4-spd | 4-Wheel Drive | 19 / 23 / 20 | +5% | $3,350 | 444 |
EPA estimates; "vs. class" is combined MPG against the 2012 EPA class average. How we calculate this →
Safety ratings & technology
NHTSA has not published 5-Star ratings for the 2012 Suzuki Grand Vitara.
Similar 2012 SUV -s
| Model | Best MPG / range | NHTSA overall | Recalls |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2012 Suzuki Grand Vitara (this car) | 22 MPG | Not rated | 2 |
| 2012 Honda CR-V | 26 MPG | Not rated | 3 |
| 2012 Hyundai Tucson | 25 MPG | Not rated | 3 |
| 2012 Volkswagen Tiguan | 24 MPG | Not rated | 3 |
| 2012 Kia Sportage | 25 MPG | Not rated | 5 |
| 2012 Ford Escape | 32 MPG | Not rated | 1 |
| 2012 Toyota FJ Cruiser | 19 MPG | Not rated | 4 |
Recalls (2)
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.
Not every 2012 Suzuki Grand Vitara is affected — only a VIN check confirms your car.
Owner-reported problems
Unverified owner reports; best-sellers collect more.
Used 2012 Suzuki Grand Vitara buyer's checklist
- Run the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. 2 recalls this year — ask for proof of repairs.
- Air Bags — 7 owner reports. Confirm the airbag warning light turns off after start-up and any airbag recall was completed.
- Seats — 2 owner reports. Ask the seller and mechanic specifically about this system.
- Exterior Lighting — 1 owner reports. Check all exterior lights, wipers and the windshield for cracks.
- Mileage to watch. Owners typically reported problems around 38,500 miles; ask what was repaired near that point.
- Before you pay: service records, a history report and an independent inspection.
Generated by DecodedCars from NHTSA recalls and owner complaints for the 2012 Suzuki Grand Vitara. Not a substitute for a professional inspection.
Other Grand Vitara years
Compare all years →| Year | MPG (best) | Length | Overall | Recalls | Complaints |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2013 Grand Vitara | 22 | 168.9 in | Not rated | 2 | 4 |
| 2011 Grand Vitara | 22 | 168.9 in | Not rated | 4 | 2 |
| 2010 Grand Vitara | 22 | 168.9 in | Not rated | 5 | 14 |
| 2009 Grand Vitara | 22 | 168.9 in | Not rated | 4 | 9 |
| 2008 Grand Vitara | 19 | 168.9 in | Not rated | 2 | 16 |
| 2007 Grand Vitara | 19 | 168.9 in | Not rated | 2 | 13 |
| 2006 Grand Vitara | 19 | 168.9 in | Not rated | 4 | 27 |
| 2005 Grand Vitara | 18 | 161.4 in | Not rated | 0 | 0 |
Sources: EPA, NHTSA, Transport Canada, Wikimedia Commons. Not affiliated with NHTSA, the EPA or Suzuki. How we calculate this →