You don’t have to think about driving this car. And while that may sound weird, it’s an important quality when you’re trying to convince people to forego the Honda CR-V or the Toyota RAV4. People don’t want to think about driving a small SUV. They want to get behind the wheel and, 30 minutes later, find themselves at home. On that score, the 2006 Suzuki Grand Vitara is a smashing success. The seats are comfortable, the interior is pleasant and there is little in the way of noise or road intrusion. Because the Grand Vitara is either a rear-wheel-drive or a four-wheel-drive vehicle, and the engine keeps you from thinking gee I wish I had a more powerful vehicle.

Well, most of the time. Though the 2006 Grand Vitara offers a 2.7-liter V6 engine that outmatches its base trim competitors in horsepower and torque, traversing hills and making quick moves can illicit an unbecoming whine and hesitation. It’s likely due to a torque curve that peaks at least 500 revolutions per minute higher than the competition, making the Grand Vitara seem a bit sluggish. This is a minor point, however, when viewed in context of the entire driving experience. Sight lines are open and friendly, and the rearview mirrors are large enough to make traffic driving and backing up less of a chore. Once again, interior designers did an excellent job of building a cockpit that puts the driver’s needs first, evident in an excellent relationship between the seat, steering wheel and pedals. All controls are within easy reach, and the seats do what seats need to – keep your rear from sliding around and your legs supported. More on this later, however, as our test drive was little more than a day’s outing, not one where fatigue was likely to set in. Getting in and out of the Grand Vitara followed suit in terms of comfort, as the hip point – a measure of how easy it is to slide in and out of the seats – felt ideally situated. This is a common benefit of SUV ownership, of course, as the seating position is higher than that of a sedan.

Though the ride seems a bit trucky at times, one of the nicest surprises about the Grand Vitara is its pleasant highway manner and off-road capability. Suzuki has itself an SUV that can handle dry creek beds and long stretches of highway with nary a whine or moan from passengers fore or aft. Overall, the initial impression behind the wheel in on-and-off road environments provided ample evidence as to why this vehicle is better than the Saturn Vue or the Chevy Equinox: With an above average 4WD system, a different powertrain, and better interior quality, the Grand Vitara will make for a happier driver, whether on the commute home or during weekend play.