Perhaps you might say that it’s about darn time, but Suzuki has finally unveiled their first-ever mass-produced battery electric vehicle, the e Vitara. They might be a tad late to the party, but if the e Vitara is anything to go by, it’s a pretty rock-solid start. If you’re already holding out, it might be worth waiting just a bit longer, as the e Vitara will begin production at Suzuki Motor Gujarat in India, in spring 2025. The order books open up not too long after, so you could order one starting in the summer of 2025, with the first wave arriving in Europe, India, and Japan. You may also notice some similarities between this and the eVX that Suzuki showed off a year ago.
This time, however, the e Vitara isn’t a concept, so you will see some hitting the tarmac pretty soon. Granted, the design language is familiar enough, with its rugged, bold, futuristic design, marking a huge leap forward compared to most Suzuki models today. Even the cabin is a huge change, so I’m interested in checking this out in person once it arrives in the UK. For now, there is a tonne more interesting new tech under the bonnet. For starters, the Suzuki e Vitara comes with an ‘eAxle’, which combines the electric motor and inverter within a compact and efficient bit of packaging. Additionally, the upcoming e Vitara has a fancy, new-age LFP battery pack.
A Brand New Suzuki For A New Electrified Age
Otherwise known as lithium-iron-phosphate batteries, they’re a step forward from lithium-ion batteries that we mostly use today. Otherwise, LFP batteries promise improved reliability and longevity, not to mention better safety, to boot. Of course, we won’t know how the e Vitara is going to feel to drive just yet, but Suzuki is adamant that it will offer nimble acceleration with sharp handling, so I’m optimistic. As with any electric vehicle, max range remains the biggest elephant in the room. Thankfully, it looks like Suzuki has that covered, with you being able to choose from either a 49kWh or 61kWh battery pack, with up to 500km of range possible.
Oh, and don’t you worry about off-roading either, as Suzuki hasn’t forgotten just how many of their fans love going off the beaten path. Thanks to the new Suzuki e Vitara’s fancy ALLGRIP-e four-wheel drive system, you’ll find two independent eAxles, front and rear. This ought to offer you an advanced and clever 4WD performance, with an abundance of responsiveness and precision control. It’s all just marketing speak now but having driven plenty of Suzuki 4x4s, I’m confident they’ll be able to keep their end of the promise with the e Vitara. Plus, it’ll also come with a built-in LSD with a dedicated Trail Mode, using torque and braking to get you unstuck.
Electrifyingly Capable And Responsive Off-Roader
Speaking of, we’d be remiss to not spend a bit more time talking about Suzuki’s BEV platform, their all-new HEARTECT-e architecture. The e Vitara will be the first to use it but expect to see more of it coming soon-ish with Suzuki’s upcoming electric cars. The HEARTECT-e platform has a lightweight structure, making good use of your e Vitara’s range and performance. On top of that, with high-voltage protection and a spacious interior, it’s all about form and function! The e Vitara is available in a wide range of different specs, so there ought to be the perfect one for you. In addition to the two batteries that I noted earlier, you could have it as 2WD or 4WD.
Furthermore, you could spec the 2WD models with either a 106kW or 128kW motor, with the same max torque figure at 189Nm. As for their sole 4WD option, you’ll enjoy a modest 135kW between the front and rear motors, as well as a healthy 300Nm of torque. Elsewhere, if you’re worried that this all-electric SUV might be a tad too heavy, then worry not, as the e Vitara tips the scale at roughly 1,702kg on the lighter end of the model range. Meanwhile, their top-spec 4WD model would be as heavy as 1,899kg. Overall, the e Vitara is one of the more interesting EVs I’ve seen announced lately, so here’s hoping it gets here sooner rather than later!
