Suzuki e-Vitara

Suzuki waited so long to introduce an electric car because it is a specialist in small cars. These are bought not only for their manoeuvrability but also for their low price. Electric propulsion is expensive and small expensive cars are in low demand. That is why Suzuki's first electric car is not a handy city car, but an SUV: the e-Vitara. By Suzuki standards, the e-Vitara is large; in absolute terms, it is a compact SUVs.

What makes the e-Vitara a true Suzuki is the fact that it is much more than a fashion statement. Like the conventional Vitara, and its many predecessors, the e-Vitara is meant for both public roads and off-road driving. Therefore, the wheels are placed at the extreme corners and the front and rear overhang is minimal to negotiate steep slopes. In doing so, the e-Vitara has protection all around and robust bumpers. At the same time, the e-Vitara has the modest and approachable look that is characteristic of Suzuki. This while other brands combine an adventurous character with aggression.

Also very idiosyncratic: while competitors prefer rounded shapes, Suzuki opts for hard, straight lines. This not only makes for a tough look, but also has an aerodynamic advantage, according to Suzuki. With hard lines, it would be easier to direct the wind exactly in the desired direction, which is why Suzuki still promises a favourable streamline (for low consumption and less driving noise).

Space

Because the e-Vitara is the first of a new generation of Suzukis, an entirely new interior has also been designed. With more abstract shapes and less visible controls than before, the cabin too gives the impression that this is the first of a new model generation. As far as the editors are concerned, the multi-coloured version looks busy and cluttered, especially when contrasting dashboard lighting is then also chosen. Especially for Europe, Suzuki has therefore also designed a sleek black dashboard.

Because the wheels are on the extreme corners, the wheelbase is relatively long, providing extra space in the front and rear. Because the rear seat is on rails, more legroom in the rear or more luggage space can be created depending on the situation. Note that the sunroof comes at the expense of headroom. Also unfortunate: drivers with long legs lean against uncomfortably hard plastic on the left and right. Apart from these cosmetic flaws, the e-Vitara offers enough space for five adults and their luggage.

Equipment

The infotainment system is equally new, however here Suzuki lags behind the trend. Everything works properly, but apart from the standard audio, communication and navigation functions, Suzuki does not offer extras such as a smart assistant or interfacing with an AI system. On the other hand: privacy is guaranteed at Suzuki!

Depending on the chosen version, the e-Vitara has a basic audio system with a simple sound or the new Infinity audio system. The latter has a commercial sound and lends itself ideally to throwing a party.

In terms of safety too, the e-Vitara offers everything that can be expected in this segment, but no more than that. That way, Suzuki can keep the price modest and that is part of the success of the conventional Vitara. A word of warning: the e-Vitara only moves when the driver is wearing a seatbelt.

Electric car

The e-Vitara sits on a new platform developed by Suzuki, Toyota and Daihatsu. On top of this platform, each manufacturer builds its own bodywork. The platform is tailor-made for electric driving, so the e-Vitara is only available as an electric car. However, there is a choice of two batteries (49 or 61 kWh) and front- or all-wheel drive. Incidentally, the batteries are not developed in-house, but are sourced from BYD. This has the advantage that Suzuki, Toyota and Daihatsu have access to smart technology that enables fast charging, guarantees long life and offers above-average safety.

Fast charging can be done at 150 kW and public charging at 11 kW. These are certainly not record speeds, but it suits the battery capacity. Note that the driver himself must activate the battery heater on the way to the fast charger to achieve the promised speeds (tip: do so about half an hour beforehand).

As with any electric (and hybrid) car, energy is recovered during braking and coasting. The driver can specify in 3 steps how much energy is recovered when releasing the accelerator, but even in the most extreme beach the effect is limited. Driving with one pedal is therefore not possible.

As standard, the e-Vitara is equipped with an electric motor on the front wheels. If four-wheel drive is chosen, a motor on the rear wheels is added. The difference between the two versions is significant. The base version is smooth, quiet and supple. The all-wheel drive adds the extra clout that makes electric driving so attractive to many. Although performance increases sharply in the sport mode, the e-Vitara performs just fine even in eco mode.

For this test, a hand-built prototype was driven on a closed circuit. Despite various tests (acceleration test, off-road driving, high-speed slalom), consumption came out at a decent 17.3 kWh per 100 km. Good to know: thanks to a heat pump fitted as standard, consumption and range are less dependent on weather conditions.

Driving characteristics

Electric cars are often seen as clinical, sterile and therefore characterless. Because of the smoothness of the electric motor and the high weight, they are said to all have the same character. Precisely because the powertrain specifications are only average, Suzuki manages to stand out with its handling.

The driving characteristics can be summed up as "refined". The feel in the steering wheel is precise, allowing the driver to feel what the car is capable of. On both good and bad road surfaces, stability is fine, making for a confidence-inspiring character. The all-wheel-drive version is noticeably heavier, but manages to turn this into an advantage by offering more comfort. At the same time, communication between the driver and the mechanics is better than in the internal combustion engine Vitara. Only the feeling in the brake pedal leaves something to be desired.

As touched on earlier, the e-Vitara actually lends itself to off-road driving and there is a big difference from the competition there too. According to Suzuki, the individual wheels can be controlled more easily with electric drive. Therefore, "AllGrip-e" offers more grip than the "AllGrip" on conventional models. Therefore, with so much capability and refinement, it is not at all noticeable that the e-Vitara is Suzuki's very first electric car.

Conclusion

When it came to electric cars, Suzuki remained almost painfully quiet for a long time. The automotive world was switching to electric driving en masse and Suzuki had no answer. That is partly because Suzuki specialises in small and inexpensive cars, while electric cars tend to be big and expensive. It is also because Suzuki was looking for a way to differentiate itself from existing offerings within its own capabilities.

That answer now comes in the form of the e-Vitara. Judging by its technical specifications, the e-Vitara is just an average electric SUV. The strength is in the character, as this clearly sets the e-Vitara apart from the mediocrity. For instance, the e-Vitara is actually suitable for off-road driving. Thereby, the electric Vitara is even livelier (handling, steering, performance drive) than the petrol-engined variant. At the same time, the e-Vitara is as down-to-earth, sensible and modest as Suzuki's smaller models. That makes up for a lot!