Suzuki is celebrating 55 years of building four-wheel drive cars, plus 37 years since the Vitara nameplate appeared on the back of an off-roader. So, it’s fitting that Suzuki’s first of four planned EVs is badged as a Vitara, and that Allgrip-e dual-motor versions have four-wheel drive.
Design and interior
The front is identified by the lack of grille and distinctive headlights. Move to the side, and there are sculpted, chunky arches, large alloy wheels, and raised ground clearance. The back is identified by the high-mounted rear light bar, and small rear window with sporty spoiler. If you think the e Vitara looks like the incoming Toyota Urban Cruiser you are right, as they are the same car. Although, Suzuki was keen to tell us that it had taken the lead with development, so it arrives first.
Inside this Suzuki, the dashboard design appears to echo the chunky exterior. Much is made of disappointingly hard plastics, lightened up by a soft central section on the dashboard and doors. The top of the dash is dominated by what Suzuki calls the Integrated Display System, which is made up of a 10.25in digital display for the instruments, plus a 10.1in screen for the infotainment. Switchgear is a familiar mix of Suzuki and Toyota.
Talking of the infotainment, the e Vitara’s system is Suzuki’s design, and very slow in its operation. We do however like the clear instruments, plus the comfortable, supportive seats, and decent driving position. Move to the back of this Suzuki, and space is still good. The spilt/fold rear seats slide, and if you’re willing to compromise rear legroom, boot space can be increased from a tiny 244 litres to 310 litres.
As you’d expect with a Suzuki, even the entry-level Motion, also expected to be the best-seller in fleet, is well-equipped. Plus, the e Vitara feels as robust and well-made as any other Suzuki.
Performance and drive
Built on an all-new Heartect-e architecture that Suzuki has jointly developed with Toyota and Daihatsu, the e Vitara is available in 49kWh and 61kWh battery versions. Choose the smaller battery and it has a 142hp electric motor, a 9.6sec 0-62mph acceleration time, and a WLTP range of 213 miles. The bigger 61kWh battery is available with a choice of a single-motor 172hp version, with 264 miles of range, or the dual- motor Allgrip-e, with 181hp, acceleration to 62mph in 8.7 seconds, and a range of 245 miles.
When it comes to charging, it has an impressive 150kW maximum charging speed, faster than key rival, the recently updated Vauxhall Mokka Electric, which tops out at 100kW. However, charging from 10-80% in this Suzuki still takes a disappointingly long 45 minutes.
We drove the e Vitara with the bigger, 61kWh battery in two and four-wheel drive versions. The single-motor version in range-topping Ultra spec feels reasonably quick off the mark, and is easy to drive, thanks to the natural feel to the steering, accelerator, and brakes, with no overbearing ADAS systems to spoil the drive.
There are drive modes, but the only one that makes a noticeable change is ‘Sport’, changing the throttle sensitivity. There are also a choice of regen modes – our favourite was the one-pedal mode, although this won’t bring the e Vitara totally to a stop.
On the road, the e Vitara is comfortable and composed. The tall design and softer suspension settings equal some body roll, but there’s plenty of grip – even in single-motor form. The steering is also pleasingly precise.
We drove the dual-motor Allgrip-e version on an off-road course and were impressed at how capable it was – even on road tyres. Features such as Hill Descent Control, and ‘Trail Mode’, mean you can go much further than you would even need.
The Suzuki e Vitara is a welcome new member of the class, with real off-road capability. However, the infotainment and EV drivetrain need more work in our opinion.
Positive: Good to drive, comfortable and composed ride, impressively capable off-road, well-equipped.
Negative: Rivals charge faster, compromised boot space, slow infotainment.
Standard equipment: Automatic air conditioning, 40:20:40 split folding rear seats, heat pump, two-spoke synthetic leather-covered steering wheel, floating-effect centre console, Integrated Display System, adaptive cruise control, rear parking camera, front parking sensors, rear parking sensors, Bluetooth, wireless smartphone link display with Apple Carplay and Android Auto.
Engines: Electric: 142hp, 172hp, 181hp
Equipment grades: Motion, Ultra
Transmission: Single-speed automatic
| Model | Suzuki e Vitara Ultra 61kWh |
| P11D: | £35,799 |
| Residual value | TBC |
| Depreciation | TBC |
| Fuel | £3,485 |
| Service, maintenance and repair | TBC |
| Cost per mile | TBC |
| Range | 264 miles |
| CO2 (BIK%) | 0g/km (3%) |
| BIK 20/40% a month | £18/£36 |
| Luggage capacity | 244 litres |
| Battery size/power | 61kWh/172hp |
| Score | 8/10 |
