^^^ timely response. I think you are really going to like my Grand Vitara review on wednesday.
Curious to see if the GV has improved over the last 4-5 years because when I was looking at one back in 2006, I was not impressed. Felt and drove like it weight 4 tons, rear seats were horrible, and interior layout was just odd. I didn't consider it very long.
In the meantime among other things, they have changed the engines around, greatly improved the NHV, raised the standard features and revised the rear suspension. I've also heard they did away with the AWD feature of the center differential to rely on the ABS/ESP, but I haven't seen enough verification of that.
Edit: and changed the rear drums to disc brakes.
I trust no one who wants a sports car will be shopping for one. It may seem slow to some, but it is very nimble when "off-roading", parking etc.. We have never failed to get up a steep hill due to insufficient power. We have never bottomed out the suspension, while I have done so even with a first-generation Pathfinder.
By coincidence, just yesterday a 5-11 185lb adult who'd never sat in the back of our GV got in the back and commented on how roomy and comfortable the back seat was (with reclining seatbacks in the rear). We do find the leather seats too hard, though, and I kind of resent that the North American spec lacks the rear seat armrest provided in other markets. I added sound insulation years ago to make our '06 quieter inside.