When it comes to boot space, it's not just about how much kit you can cram into the back of your trusty steed; it's about living that lifestyle that says, 'Yes, I can take on the wilderness, and no, I don't have to leave my inflatable kayak at home.' The Suzuki Grand Vitara, a warrior of the cityscape and the scenic route alike, balances everyday utility with the capacity to swallow luggage like a pelican gulps fish. But let's not wax lyrical without numbers. The current model's boot offers a modest yet respectable 184 liters, perfect for your weekly shopping or the odd brief jaunt into the hills. But if it's just you, the gorgeous expanse of the horizon, and a need for more space, tumble those rear seats down and you're looking at 964 liters - go ahead, try filling that space during your next trip to the supermarket, I dare you.
How has the trusty Grand Vitara's boot morphed with each passing generation, you ask? Let's hop in our time machine. The model kicked off with 277 liters of cargo space - something that remained unchanged until someone at Suzuki had a lightbulb moment for the second generation. That iteration bore a cavernous boot with a whopping 900 liters - enough to put Mary Poppins' bag to shame. But what comes up must come down, as the third gen's facelift reminded us with a mere 161 liters. Fearing a revolution from the masses carrying grocery bags, Suzuki pumped the size back up to 184 liters from the fourth generation onwards. Change is good, but consistency is even better if you're the sort of person who enjoys knowing exactly how many golf clubs you can fit in the back.
Within the Suzuki lineup, the Grand Vitara sits like a middle sibling, overshadowed by the limo-like expansiveness of the Swace and the Across, boasting 596 and 490 liters respectively, yet smirking at the puny, can-barely-fit-a-package-of-toilet-paper boot of the Jimny, which offers a laughable 85 liters. It plays nice with the modestly proportioned Swift and Ignis, both of which offer you just enough room to not consider strapping your groceries to the roof. The Grand Vitara's practicality thus sits in a sweet spot, not so spacious that you'll lose your dog amongst the luggage, and not so cramped that you need to measure your shopping bags.
Now, let's peek over the fence and see how the neighbours are doing. The Grand Vitara stands its ground like a tenacious terrier amongst a pack of wolves when compared to similar vehicles. The Ford Ka+ and Nissan Cube both hang their heads in boot shame with just 270 and 260 liters, respectively. And while the Mazda CX-3 trumpets its 350 liters, the Grand Vitara simply nods in polite acknowledgment. The rivals do put up a good fight though - the Hyundai ix35 taunts with 465 liters, and the Peugeot 3008 smirks with 432 liters. The Vitara strikes a balance, not quite the roomiest, but larger than many: bigger than the Hyundai i20 and nearly squaring off with the Ford EcoSport. And against those with longer wheelbases like the Renault Fluence and Chevrolet Cruze, the Grand Vitara's dignity remains intact, asserting that size isn't everything, as the clever use of space proves just as vital.