Well i found out some bad news today. A customer of mine wanted to put some wheels on a brand new vitara. So i was thinking our good old 5 on5.5 pattern cause its a suzuki. So i went there to check  it out cause there is no fitment guide out for them yet. Well i was shocked to find out its a 5x115. Starting looking at it closer it is a chevy exinoux.  I for one think its a sad day for suzuki. I am not a fan of the chevy exinoux at all.  SO happy trying to lift a front wheel drive suv with a +40 offset. We might as well starting building ford escapes and libertys if this is the trend.

Suzuki shares the same platform but it's not FWD. Also an Escape and a liberty are not even on the same page. Liberty may be unibody but it still has a real 4wd system JUST LIKE the new Suzuki.

Keep this in mind... XJ's, TJ's, and ZJ's all use a Unit hub bearing. Same one found on the Dodge Caravans and the like... Same 5x4.5" bolt pattern too. While the platform is shared the mechanicals are not. Suzuki is still a real (somewhat) 4wd vehicle even if it lost alot of it's rugged undertones.

last time i checked it had a aqd system sorta like an escape. Real four wheel drive wheel be a selectable transfercase with hi low and netrual. not just awd and low

last time i checked it had a aqd system sorta like an escape. Real four wheel drive wheel be a selectable transfercase with hi low and netrual. not just awd and low

My Mitsu Montero Sport has AWD, 4hi and 4 low, but no neutral.  I would definitly say that the system is real 4wd.  With the new Vit the only thing missing is 4 hi, but why do you really need 4 hi.  Plus the low on most Zuk's is pretty high already.

Real 4WD to me constitutes a "locked" center differential (perviously known as a transfer case). Most AWD systems (especially the electronically controlled ones) do not deliver equal force to front and rear axels when in 4WD (or AWD). If I read it correctly the '06 GV has a "lock" mode for 4WD that does provide this.

I prefer part time 4wd too, but that seems to be too much for folks to handle now a days.

This is right from the Suzuki ad for the new GV 06

right so does that mean that "4Hi" is using the limited slip, but "4Hi lock" is "locked" (and not limited slip?

thats right. Also the liberty is better than the new DV as it still has a solid rear axle the GV is IRS!  Also its a unibody. If the frame is welded to the body its the same as a unibody.

guys everything your showing here is a chevy suv. all i'm saying is i miss the days when suzuki made there own and made the tracker for chevys. Now its chevy making them for suzuki. might as well shop around for a used chevy equinoux and save money

Ok, JUST FOR CLARIFICATION: Suzuki has REAL 4wd in their Theta based vehicle, Chevy/Saturn DO NOT. Suzuki is building their own version in JAPAN with their own ENGINE,TRANY,T-CASE,DIFFS... It's like the Porche and VW bug, same platform but worlds apart.

SO GM's version is all CAR (fwd transmission with a rear output-NO LO RANGE, NO LOCK) Suzuki is using the mechanicals from the XL7 with a NEW t-case that has fulltime 4wd, STILL 100% SUV even with the IS setup (how many are chucking the IFS for a solid axle? It's even easier in the rear!).

Should also note the new GV comes with 29" tall tires, XL7 has 27" tall tires. GV is better off-road than the XL7 is and appears to be more fuel effecient even though there weighing in about the same with the same drivetrain (aerodynamics).