As part of Suzuki's recent "Live Large. Drive Small" advertising campaign, the automaker has released a video called SUVasaurus. We've pasted it after the break and it's definitely worth a watch. The video is very well done and attempts to explain why the full-size SUV has gone the way of the dinosaur - extinct that is. Those pesky gas prices strike again. Of course, Suzuki believes that it has the answer to this particular conundrum in its Grand Vitara, which we recently got the chance to drive.

For 2009, the Grand Vitara gets two brand-new engine options that replace last year's lone and very lackluster V6. One is a Suzuki-designed 2.4-liter four-cylinder that will also see duty in the upcoming Kizashi sedan. It offers up 166 horses and can be mated with either a standard five-speed manual or, unfortunately, an automatic with only four forward ratios. An optional 3.2-liter V6 engine shares its architecture with GM's high-feature V6 family and produces a very willing 230 horsepower paired with a five-speed automatic.

We're not ready to call the GV the second coming of the SUV, but it definitely has plenty to offer those who need a real sport utility vehicle. Our angst is directed more at SUV pretenders that don't offer anything more than a typical station wagon or hatchback, and that's not the GV. As the only vehicle in its class that offers true four-wheel drive and an independent rear suspension, we can accept the GV as a vehicle with a purpose. Plus, that four cylinder engine can still tow 3,000 pounds and gets decent mileage, for a non-hybrid SUV, at 19 city and 23-26 highway. We do feel kinda bad for the poor SUVasauruses in the video... it's not their fault.

[Source: Suzuki]