I will be purchasing a Tracker soon and was leaning towards the v6.  I plan on running 29" tires (maybe 30" if I can get them not to rub) and a 2" suspension lift.  It will be used as a hunting rig so the ability to climb hills and haul gear is important, but so is fuel economy.  What i"m wondering is how does the 2.0 do in this scenario V.S. the 2.5?  (Yes I searched allready)  Also I'm wondering which is more reliable the 2.0 or the 2.5, from what I've learned so far they are both very good as long as synthetic is used.  Any input is appreciated, and thanks for helping a newbie!

I drive a 2.5, and I wouldn't want to go down to a 2.0.  The extra torque, especially at low rpm, is something I would miss too much.  That would be especially relevant with oversize tires.  Of course, if you've never tried the 2.5 , you might be quite satisfied with the 2.0.

Judging by the posts here, you are right about reliability.

I think, under normal driving, the 2.5 does 2 to 3 mpg less.  Then there's two extra plugs, etc.  You pay for your pleasures.

I've got a 2.0 in a 2-door and think it is adequate with the manual trans.  If I had the the few extra pounds of the four door I'd want the 2.5 for sure.

I have a 2.0 4 door model and I find it relaible and acceptable considering the type of engine it is....... My vehicle is often used in the bush to tow out deer and it does a great job of hauling 3 grown men and all their hunting gear......while driving be sure to set your transmission options to suite the terrain your driving.....

bigger tires means more weight more power need to turn the wheel etc etc sp a bigger engine would help (but the 2.0 can handle it)......of course this will always increase your wear and tear

Highway ...............OD
Highway + uphill............... OD POWER
backroads........Drive
backroads+uphill............Drive + Power
offroad Drive...........Drive+4x4
Extreme offroading .......... Drive+Power+4x4

that is if your 2.0 has this option I am sure most do

It is a personal choice based on where you live (terrain is a big factor) and how you drive.  A 2 Liter (with either a manual or auto transmission) works fine in flat rural type areas (like central Indiana).  When I take my truck down to central Tennessee (where you can hardly find a flat spot there wider or longer than a quarter mile) I am continually shifting to stay on the power band.  Go into the large  metro areas like Nashville and surrounding burgs the stop and go's on hills can wear your leg out.   The Truck runs great out on the interstate.  Cruising at 75-80 is no problem, even up large hills.  To me it is the slow-going and stopping-starting driving on hilly roads that begs for a  larger engine sometimes.   I'm still a fan of the 2liter for the extra miles per gallon they give you and the 2 Liter works for where I live and how I drive.   If I lived and worked in an area like Nashville I might be tempted go with a V-6.     

I've put almost 100,000 miles on my 2001 2 door 2.0L 5 speed and find it a wonderfully acceptable combination. As for reliability - 210K + and still running strong. No major engine problems and the only problem with the transmission was from wear and tear.

Thanks for the input guys.  I live in Oregon and my rig will be used in the mountians ALOT!  I am leaning towards the 2.5 I guess at this point.  Also I am planning on getting an automatic if that makes any difference.   I will be sure to post pics as soon as she's in the driveway.

Are you putting a new engine in your truck? I didn't know the tracker came in 2.5 V6, I thought it was just the grand vitara. I'm probably wrong. If you are dropping in a new engine you should thinking about the 2.3ltr aero engine. Same torque and HP as the 2.5 V6 with a lot less weight and still in 4 cylinder.

Yep, the 2.5 V6 Suzuki engines were available for 4-door Trackers.  I don't think the 2.5 was an option for the 2 doors. Most all 4-door ZR2s were 2.5s. 

I'm with you on retaining the 4-banger if a larger one was available.  To me the 2.5 just didn't offer enough increase in power and torque to off-set the reduced fuel economy (on the the Trackers).  I pull 25-26 MPG fairly consistently with my 2 Liter.  My in-laws ZR2 pulls 20 MPG fairly consistently.  2."something" 4 bangers have a lot of punch for the size and retain fuel economy.

Are you putting a new engine in your truck? I didn't know the tracker came in 2.5 V6, I thought it was just the grand vitara. I'm probably wrong. If you are dropping in a new engine you should thinking about the 2.3ltr aero engine. Same torque and HP as the 2.5 V6 with a lot less weight and still in 4 cylinder.

This is the second time I've seen someone say this on this site. My "04 Track is sitting pretty with a 2.5 under the hood outside   . Not to mention a lot of Trackers sold over seas are just a Grandvitara with the ONLY change being the name. Here is a 2007 TDI Tracker for your viewing pleasure   .




P.S. There is a Chevy Tracker in South side Richmond like this. The only thing different between it and a Grand is the Chevy name. This is the second Tracker I've seen in the US like this.

This is a little off topic but how's this for a WTF moment?...lol.

I want this, what countries sold the TDIs? and up to what year? an 07 old body style with a TDI is much nicer then the new one

|removethispart|@ Canazuk.
The one I posted is at a dealership in Mexico.

Hmmm, Mexico huh?  That's not that far away,  wonder how much b.s. I'd have to go through to get one of those titled in the States.

A word of warning.  Suzuki do not make diesel engines, they buy them in.  The first ones were from Mazda and were good.  Now they use European engines (at least in Europe - can't say elsewhere).  The reliability on those models is poor compared to the gasoline engines.  It's not the engines themselves, so much as the installation design - just not properly engineered.