SUZUKI e VITARA ESTATE 128kW Ultra 61kWh 5dr Auto

Suzuki's improved Vitara features both mild hybrid and full hybrid tech. Jonathan Crouch takes a look.

Ten Second Review

This Suzuki Vitara may be one of the older designs in the compact SUV segment but Suzuki has constantly tried to improve it, most recently with the update we look at here. There's a fully electrified engine range, with the choice of either mild hybrid or Full Hybrid petrol powertrains. Unusually in this class, there's still the option of a proper lockable 4WD system if you want it. Time to take a second look at this car.

Background

Electrification is these days so important to automotive makers that developing it takes precedence over creating new designs. For proof of that, take a look at the Suzuki Vitara. The current fourth generation 'LY'-series design has been around since 2014 and was facelifted in 2019. In late 2024, Suzuki introduced the further update we're going to look at here. With this, Vitaras get a slightly smarter look and some extra equipment, but otherwise, things are much as before, with a choice of either mild hybrid or Full Hybrid drivetrains. The idea behind this update is to remind customers that this Suzuki is still very much a credible and affordable contender in the compact SUV segment. And it's one of the few contenders in that class still available with 4WD as an option. So should you put it back on your wish list if you're shopping in this sector? Let's take a closer look.

Driving Experience

The Vitara has a slightly more athletic feel than Suzuki's other compact SUV in this segment, the S-Cross, and that hasn't been appreciably diluted by the marginal extra weight of the additional electrified tech. Let's start with the 1.4-litre mild hybrid model, which comes only with a manual gearbox and the choice of front wheel drive or ALLGRIP 4WD. You may be familiar with the way that mild hybrid engines work but just in case not, here's a quick re-cap. Basically, energy that would otherwise be lost when braking or cruising off-throttle is harvested via a kinetic energy recovery system and sent to a small lithium-ion battery that here has been placed beneath the front passenger seat. This is used to drive a belt-driven 'ISG' unit (an 'Integrated Starter/Generator') and power the engine's stop/start system. Suzuki's old 12-volt mild hybrid package didn't do a lot more than that but this improved 48-volt set-up can also deliver a couple of other important benefits. The first is something quite unusual amongst current mild hybrids - the ability for this Suzuki to idle and even coast on full-electric power, though only below 10mph. What about the alternative 1.5-litre Full Hybrid model? Well here, a normally aspirated petrol unit with 114bhp is combined with a 33bhp belt-driven electric motor generator powered by a tiny 0.84kWh battery. All the power is fed through a 6-speed automated manual gearbox, which you can expect to feel somewhat slow and clunky until you learn to lift off between ratio changes. There's an 'Eco' mode to improve frugality, but you might not want to engage it too often because it restricts throttle response and even in its normal drive setting, this car is no ball of fire. Rest to 62mph occupies 12.7s on the way to a top speed of 108mph. This powertrain can be specified with a proper lockable ALLGRIP 4WD system on the top-spec 'Ultra' variant.

Design and Build

Suzuki has taken the opportunity as part of this update to make a few small visual tweaks. There's a re-designed front grille and bumper, a rear upper spoiler incorporating rear window side spoilers and newly designed 17-inch alloy wheels. This remains a crossover positioned size-wise somewhere between the small and mid-sized SUV segments, 4,175mm in length and slightly taller than its visually less striking S-Cross showroom stablemate. This remains quite an assured piece of design work with its clamshell bonnet, blacked-out floating glasshouse, heavily sculpted flanks and a very neat tail-lamp finish. Inside, the cabin is beginning to date a bit, with quite a few hard plastic surfaces, though it all seems to have been pretty well screwed together by the Hungarian factory. The centre-dash infotainment screen is now 9-inches in size and now boasts a wireless link for its 'Apple CarPlay'/'Android Auto' smartphone-mirroring systems. There's reasonably comfortable room for a couple of adults in the rear, though the twin sunroofs of the top 'Ultra' model do rob a few centimetres of headroom. Out back, there's a reasonably-sized 375-litre boot. If you need more room, pushing forward the 60:40-split rear bench frees up 710-litre of space - and the floor can be completely flat if you position the adjustable boor floor in its upper position.

Market and Model

Pricing is quite a bit higher than it used to be for the Vitara, sitting in the £27,000-£32,000 bracket. That's partly because going forward, Suzuki doesn't plan to offer smaller, more affordable engines than this 1.4 Boosterjet mild hybrid unit in our market. Partly it's also because the car these days features a higher standard of spec (Adaptive Cruise Control on all models for instance). And partly it's reflective of the cost of the extra forms of hybrid technology. You'll need a premium of around £1,750 if you want to move from the manual gearbox 1.4-litre mild hybrid model to the 1.5-litre Full Hybrid version, which features a 6-speed automated manual gearbox. Either way, there are two main trim levels, 'Motion' and 'Ultra'. Even base 'Motion' trim gives you LED projector headlights, auto air conditioning, auto headlamps and wipers, 17-inch alloy wheels, front and rear electric windows, roof rails, heated door mirrors, keyless entry, a 9-inch infotainment screen, High Beam Assist, an auto-dimming rear-view mirror and rear parking sensors, plus Suzuki Connect connected services that includes three years free subscription. Along with navigation, skid plates, rear privacy glass and white-stitched upholstery. The top 'Ultra' trim level you have to have if you want the option of ALLGRIP 4WD gives you a double-sliding panoramic sunroof, 17-inch polished alloy wheels, front parking sensors, power-folding mirrors, an overhead storage console and suede upholstery. As for safety, well that's now been improved. There's now Lane Keep Assist, Intelligent Speed Control, Driver Monitoring System andan eCall system linked to the seven airbags. A further important and standard safety feature for both grades is an upgraded Dual Sensor Brake Support system using a millimetre-wave radar (previously lidar) combined with a monocular camera. This system has enhanced collision mitigation with improved night time and intersection visibility and with its improved functionality can detect pedestrians, cyclists, motorcyclists and vehicles in front.

Cost of Ownership

The WLTP figures show a front-driven version of the mild hybrid model managing 53.2mpg on the combined cycle and 119g/km of CO2 emissions. It's 52.3mpg and 128g/km for the ALLGRIP 4WD version. So, what kind of efficiency difference does the alternative Full Hybrid tech make to the Vitara? Well, the official combined cycle WLTP figure of the front-driven Full Hybrid version is 56.4mpg, with 113g/km of CO2, which is comparable in this segment to what you'd get from, say, a Toyota Yaris Cross Hybrid or the full-Hybrid self charging version of Renault's Captur E-TECH. It's 50.4mpg and 127g/km for the ALLGRIP 4WD Full Hybrid Vitara. As with all Suzukis, all Vitaras are covered by a three year/60,000 mile warranty, plus a year of AA Suzuki Assistance, providing 24 hour UK and European roadside assistance, recovery and associated services. There's also a 12 year perforation warranty. Insurance groups are between 16E and 22A.

Summary

There's still plenty to like about the Vitara. The light kerb weight delivers agile handling. There's more space inside than you get with competitors like Nissan's Juke. And there are high standards of specification to sugar the showroom proposition. If you regularly drive on potentially treacherous roads, it'll also matter than this Suzuki is one of the few SUVs in the class that can be ordered with 4WD. But it's harder to like all of this quite as much at the significantly higher prices that Suzuki needs to charge to cover the cost of the mild hybrid and Full Hybrid tech. Particularly given the fact that the electrification benefits, though welcome, are still not quite as extensive as you might hope. Still, this is now much more a Vitara for the modern world. And a car that in this form is now just a little more than just a fashion statement.

Body Glass

1 speed with intermittent rear wiper + washer

2 speeds (low/high) with adjustable intermittent front wiper + washer

Electric front+rear windows

Rain sensing front wipers

Rear privacy glass

Rear window demister

Brakes

Anti-lock Brake System + Electronic Brakeforce Distribution + Brake assist

Dual sensor brake support

Electric parking brake

Electronic Stability Programme

Hill hold control

Multiple collision braking

Carpets/Rugs

Carpet floor mats

Communication

Bluetooth integrated into audio unit

E-call

Front seat USB connectors (x1 Type A, x1 Type C)

Rear seat USB connectors (x1 Type A, x1 Type C)

Wireless smartphone link display with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto

Driver Aids

Battery thermal management preconditioning (via in-vehicle controls or Suzuki Connect app)

Remote air conditioning, seat heating and steering wheel heating (using Suzuki Connect app)

Wireless phone charger

Driver Convenience

3 x selectable driving modes (Eco, Normal, Sport)

360 camera

Adaptive cruise control

Driver monitoring system

Front parking sensors

Integrated Display System (10.25-inch digital meter display & 10.1-inch central multimedia display)

Intelligent speed control support

Lane departure prevention

Lane keep assist

Occupant detection (front and rear)

Power assisted steering

Rear cross traffic alert

Rear parking sensors

Selectable easy operation pedal mode

Selectable SNOW mode (moderates torque delivery to help reduce wheel slippage)

Traffic sign recognition

Driver Information

Blind spot monitor

Navigation system

Shift dial

Driving Mirrors

Automatic dimming rear view mirror

Body colour exterior door mirror

Electric adjustable door mirrors

Heated door mirrors

Entertainment

4 door speakers

DAB Digital radio

Instrument panel speaker

Premium Infinity by Harman speakers

Steering wheel mounted audio controls

Subwoofer

Exterior Body Features

3-point design LED headlamps

Black front grille

Black side mouldings

Black wheel arch extensions

Body Colour Exterior Door Handles

Electrically folding door mirrors with built in turn signal lamp

Glass roof with sun shade

Pearlescent paint

Rear side wing doors

Rear upper spoiler

Exterior Lights

Adaptive high beam system (AHS)

Automatic headlamp levelling

Automatic headlights

Guide me home light

High mounted stop lamp

LED daytime running lights

LED front fog lamps

LED rear combination lamp

Heating/Cooling/Ventilation

Automatic air conditioning

Climate control switches

Heat pump

Pollen filter

Rear heater outlets

Interior Features

12V accessory socket (centre console)

2-spoke synthetic leather covered steering wheel

2x Front and rear door bottle holders

Console box with armrest

Console middle tray

Driver's side foot rest

Fabric/synthetic leather upholstery

Floating-effect centre console

Front and rear door storage pockets

Front centre armrest

Front cupholders x 2

Glovebox

Heated steering wheel

Luggage area parcel shelf

Luggage board

Luggage box

Overhead console with ultrasonic sensor

Passenger side seat back pocket

Passenger's side assist grips

Rear assist grips x2

Rear centre armrest with x2 cupholders

Rear coat hooks x 2

Shopping bag hook x 1

Tilt/telescopic adjustable steering wheel

Interior Lights

Ambient lighting in middle tray and front door trims

Centre cabin light

Front footwell and centre lower console box lights

Front map light

Glovebox light

Interior ambient lights (12 x selectable colour options)

Luggage area lamp

Safety

3-point front ELR seatbelts with pretensioner, force limiter and shoulder height adjuster

3-point rear ELR seatbelts with pretensioner and side force limiter

Child seat tether anchorage points x2

Childproof rear door locks

Curtain airbags

Driver's door key cylinder

Driver/Front Passenger airbags

Drivers knee airbag

Front and rear seatbelt reminder

Front passenger airbag deactivation

Impact sensing door unlock system

Side airbags

Tyre pressure monitoring system

Seats

10-step reclining rear seats

10-step sliding rear seats (160mm total sliding range)

10-way power adjustable driver's seat

3 bench rear seats in 2nd row

3 rear headrests

40:20:40 split folding rear seats

Driver and front passenger's seat heater (three-level temperature adjustment)

Driver's seat power adjustable lumber support

Front head restraints

ISOFIX child seat anchorages X 2

Single front passenger seat

Security

Deadlocks

Freewheeling key cylinders

Immobiliser

Keyless entry and start

Locking wheel nuts

Remote central door locking

Security alarm

Vanity Mirrors

Front sun visors with vanity mirrors

Vehicle Charging

CCS2 DC charging inlet

Charging port lid lamp and charging indicator indicator lamp

Immediate charging switch

Mode 3 charging cable (Type-2 to Type-2)

Type-2 (3-phase) AC charging inlet

Wheels - Alloy

19" Alloy wheels

Wheels - Spare

Emergency flat tyre repair kit

Electric Vehicle Data

Battery Capacity % guaranteed under warranty: 70

Battery Capacity in kWh: 61

Battery Charging Scenario 1 - Charge Time (Mins): 540

Battery Charging Scenario 1 - Percentage Change: 10-100

Battery Charging Scenario 1 - Power Supply - kW: 7

Battery Charging Scenario 2 - Charge Time (Mins): 330

Battery Charging Scenario 2 - Percentage Change: 10-100

Battery Charging Scenario 2 - Power Supply - kW: 11

Battery Charging Scenario 3 - Charge Time (Mins): 45

Battery Charging Scenario 3 - Percentage Change: 10-80

Battery Charging Scenario 3 - Power Supply - kW: 150

Battery Charging Scenario 4 - Charge Time (Mins): N

Battery Charging Scenario 4 - Percentage Change: N

Battery Charging Scenario 4 - Power Supply - kW: N

Battery Leased: 0

Battery Type: Lithium-ion

Charging Port Location: Left Side Front

Coupler/Connector Type: CCS Type 2

Maximum Charging Rate - kW: 150

Standard manufacturers Battery warranty - Mileage: 100000

Standard manufacturers Battery warranty - Years: 8

Usable Battery Capacity: N

WLTP - EC (kWh/100km) - City: 11.1

WLTP - EC (kWh/100km) - Comb: 15.1

WLTP - EC (miles/kWh) - City: 5.6

WLTP - EC (miles/kWh) - Comb: 4.1

WLTP - Pure Electric Range (km) - City: 581

WLTP - Pure Electric Range (km) - Comb: 426

WLTP - Pure Electric Range (km) - Comb - TEH: 426

WLTP - Pure Electric Range (km) - Comb - TEL: 426

WLTP - Pure Electric Range (miles) - City: 361

WLTP - Pure Electric Range (miles) - Comb: 264

WLTP - Pure Electric Range (miles) - Comb - TEH: 264

WLTP - Pure Electric Range (miles) - Comb - TEL: 264

Emissions - ICE

CO: N

CO2 (g/km): 0

HC: N

HC+NOx: N

Noise Level dB(A): N

NOx: N

Particles: N

Standard Emissions: N

Engine and Drive Train

Camshaft: N

Catalytic Convertor: N

CC: 1

Compression Ratio: N

Cylinder Layout: N

Cylinders: N

Cylinders - Bore (mm): N

Cylinders - Stroke (mm): N

Engine Code: N

Engine Layout: N

Fuel Delivery: N

Gears: 1 SPEED

Number of Valves: N

Transmission: AUTO

Fuel Consumption - ICE

EC Combined (mpg): N

EC Directive 1999/100/EC Applies: N

EC Extra Urban (mpg): N

EC Urban (mpg): N

General

Alternative Fuel Qualifying: No

Badge Engine CC: 0.0

Badge Power: 174

Based On ID: N

Coin Description: 61kWh

Coin Series: Ultra

Did at least one aspect of this vehicle's safety give cause for concern?: 0

Generation Mark: 1

Insurance Group 1 - 50 Effective January 07: 23E

Insurance Group 1 - 50 Effective January 07: 24A

NCAP Adult Occupant Protection %: 77

NCAP Child Occupant Protection %: 85

NCAP Overall Rating - Effective February 09: 4

NCAP Pedestrian Protection %: 79

NCAP Safety Assist %: 72

Special Edition: 0

Special Order: 0

Standard manufacturers warranty - Mileage: 60000

Standard manufacturers warranty - Years: 3

Timing Belt Interval Frequency - Months: N

Timing Belt Interval Mileage: N

Vehicle Homologation Class: M1

Performance

0 to 60 mph (secs): 0

0 to 62 mph (secs): 8.7

Engine Power - BHP: 174

Engine Power - KW: 128

Engine Power - PS: No

Engine Power - RPM: N

Engine Torque - LBS.FT: 142

Engine Torque - MKG: 19.7

Engine Torque - NM: 193

Engine Torque - RPM: N

Top Speed: 93

Test Cycles

Emissions Test Cycle: WLTP

RDE Certification Level: N/A

Tyres

Alloys?: No

Space Saver?: 0

Tyre Size Front: 225/50 R19

Tyre Size Rear: 225/50 R19

Tyre Size Spare: TYRE REPAIR KIT

Wheel Style: N

Wheel Type: 19" ALLOY

Vehicle Dimensions

Height: 1635

Height (including roof rails): 1640

Length: 4275

Wheelbase: 2700

Width: 1800

Width (including mirrors): N

Weight and Capacities

Fuel Tank Capacity (Litres): N

Gross Vehicle Weight: 2250

Luggage Capacity (Seats Down): 562

Luggage Capacity (Seats Up): 306

Max. Loading Weight: 451

Max. Towing Weight - Braked: 750

Minimum Kerbweight: 1799

No. of Seats: 5

Turning Circle - Kerb to Kerb: 10.4

Exterior Body Features

Additional pearlescent paint

Dual tone paint

Metallic paint

Special pearlescent paint

Two Tone Metallic paint

Two tone pearlescent paint

Paint - Metallic

Metallic - Celestial blue

Metallic - Grandeur Grey

Metallic - Land Breeze Green

Metallic - Splendid Silver

Paint - Pearlescent

Pearl - Arctic white

Pearl - Bluish black

Paint - Special

Special pearl - Bluish black

Paint - Two Tone

Two tone metallic - Grandeur Grey with Black roof

Two tone metallic - Land Breeze Green with Black roof

Two tone metallic - Opulent Red with Black roof

Two tone metallic - Splendid Silver with Black roof

Two tone pearlescent - Arctic White with Black roof

Trim - Part Leather

Fabric/synthetic leather - Grey

Fabric/synthetic leather - Tan