Suzuki eVitara: The First Stylish Electric Car
Whether it's the Swift, New Vitara, New S-Cross, or Across: So far, all Suzuki models have been powered by internal combustion engines. Thanks to its partnership with Toyota, Suzuki is now introducing its first all-electric model.
The Suzuki eVitara, the brand’s first electric SUV, not only looks very stylish, but also impresses with its practical size. And despite its compact exterior dimensions (L × W × H: 4.28 m × 1.80 m × 1.64 m), it offers a surprising amount of interior space. Even in the back, there’s plenty of legroom and headroom. You might wish for a bit more storage space, but 244 liters is enough even for a larger shopping trip. If you slide the rear seats forward a bit, that increases to 306 liters. At maximum capacity, this Japanese car can hold an impressive 1,052 liters of luggage. One thing that might seem a bit unusual is just how low down—it feels like it’s barely above the license plate—the button to open the trunk is located.
There aren’t any huge displays in the cockpit, but there are still buttons and controls for the most important functions. That way, you can make adjustments even while driving without getting lost in submenus—cool! The driver’s seat is eight-way power-adjustable, very comfortable, and looks great with its fabric/faux leather upholstery. The ambient lighting, available in twelve different colors, is a nice touch. We would have expected the trim around the air vents to be just a tad fancier in the top-of-the-line «Compact Top» model, but that’s just nitpicking. The buttons for switching between the drive modes and Trail mode are also practical.
Smart Electric All-Wheel-Drive System
In Eco mode, the Suzuki’s throttle response is slightly smoother and the air conditioning output is reduced, both of which increase the driving range. In Sport mode, the eVitara takes a more aggressive approach. In the 4×4 test vehicle, the two electric motors on the front and rear axles deliver one and a half times the torque of the front-wheel-drive version. This not only makes the electric all-wheel-drive vehicle, with its 135 kW/184 PS and 307 Nm, more dynamic, but in Trail mode, thanks to the electronic limited-slip differential, it distributes this torque even more quickly to the other wheel as soon as the opposite wheel loses traction. This clearly provides more traction and stability off-road or on slippery surfaces.
Dynamic Slider
The E-Suzuki impresses above all with its smooth ride. Whether on country roads or the highway, it cruises along comfortably and calmly. The 61-kWh battery also calls for a bit more patience at the charging station. The SUV charges at a maximum of 45 kW—other models can do it faster. However, with a consumption rate of around 18.5 kWh per 100 km, it remains quite economical for an all-wheel-drive vehicle. This makes a range of 350 km realistic for everyday use. Another feature of this elegant Japanese SUV that caught our attention was the headlight design. With its three-point lighting design, it not only creates a distinctive look but also delivers excellent road illumination—including an adaptive high-beam system in the test vehicle.
Expert Review: Suzuki eVitara «Compact Top»
The brand’s first electric car certainly makes a statement and impresses with its good driving and cruising characteristics. It could, however, live up to its dynamic appearance a bit more when it comes to DC charging. That said, the price (starting at 31,990 Swiss francs; test car: 39,990 Swiss francs) is fair.
Advantages
+ Smooth ride and elegant glide
+ Efficient electric all-wheel drive
+ Great lighting with an adaptive high-beam system
Disadvantages
– At 45 kW, the fast-charging capacity is rather limited
– A tailgate opening positioned slightly low
