Suzuki eVitara Ultra Allgrip review

Suzuki eVitara

Suzuki eVitara Ultra Allgrip review.

****
£37,799
For – huge warranty, striking looks, great suspension, quality interior.
Against – usual EV range problem, puzzling media interface.
Competition – Kia EV3, Ford Puma Gen-E, Renault Megane E-tech, Renault 4, Jeep Avenger, Volvo EX30, Jaecoo E5, BYD Seal, MGS5

Suzuki has added an electric Vitara to its well-established compact SUV range and it’s new from the ground up. 

The eVitara looks nothing like the traditional vehicle, but retains its rugged, no-nonsense character. As an owner of a couple of top-of the range Vitaras over about 10 years, I was struck by the super, upmarket interior of this electric version compared with the previous solid but mundane designs. The performance is a huge improvement too, although Vitara buyers probably yearn for practicality and utility rather than punch-in-the-back acceleration.

The eVitara is made in India with Suzuki’s partner Toyota, which badges its output Urban Cruiser. Suzuki is the last Japanese automaker to embrace EVs, so you’d expect it to be at the forefront of the technology. Sadly, that isn’t the case, and the battery capacity doesn’t break new ground.

Decidely average
Suzuki claims an electric range of 245 miles (official WLTP) for this Ultra model, but in my week with the car I plugged it into my home charger four times and it averaged a capacity of 186 miles. It’s decidedly average too in fast highway cruising mode, shedding claimed range by about 41% if you keep up with the reps on motorways. No surpise there then. On my standard urban/country route tests the regenerative braking kept the range loss close to the real distance travelled. It didn’t allow so-called one-pedal driving, where lifting off the accelerator can bring the car almost to a standstill.  

The eVitara was a delight to live with though. The beautiful cockpit design was a reminder of how far upmarket the Vitara has come, with electric seats and a computer screen packed with choices. The fact that I couldn’t find more than a couple of radio stations, while my music remained silent, probably reflects my senior situation rather than any Suzuki software shortcomings. If only I’d known about the ‘INFO’ button on the steering wheel. 

Notably effective suspension
The eVitara drove beautifully, with precise steering and notably effective suspension, which triumphed over even the most third-world of my local potholes and poor surfaces. The rear seats slide back and forth. The boot seemed eerily similar to the traditional Vitara’s, even down to the cardboardy rear shelf and tacky string attachments. No problem for my golf bag and electric trolley. 

The eVitara range starts at £29,999 for the front-wheel Motion version with a 49-kWh battery. The Ultimate versions start with the 61-kWh battery and two-wheel drive. ALLGRIP dual-motor 4WD systems are available on both Motion and Ultra grades.

10-year, 10,000-mile guarantee
Suzuki is particularly proud of its 10-year/100,000-mile vehicle and battery warranty. The initial three-year manufacturer warranty is automatically extended to 10 years after an annual mandated service. After each service the warranty is extended by one year. The initial 8-year battery guarantee will also become 10 years.

Suzuki President Toshihiro Suzuki had this to say 

“The eVitara is our first BEV, developed through repeated trial and error to create an easy-to-use BEV for our customers. To help realise a carbon-neutral society, we will provide a variety of options, including BEVs, hybrid vehicles, and CNG (compressed natural gas) vehicles, tailored to specific regions.”

“Introduction of the eVitara represents a significant milestone in achieving carbon neutrality. Following the launch of the eVITARA, we will continue to expand our BEV line-up and propose mobility solutions tailored to the needs of specific countries and regions,” he said.

What to buy? 
You can see why Toyota is calling its version the Urban Cruiser. The eVitara would indeed excel in urban, rural and city driving. Given that the average European motorist drives relatively short distances, the fact most EVs can’t handle long-distance, high-speed 130 km/h average speeds wouldn’t be a negative for many drivers. Suzuki has come late to the EV party and the competition is huge, with the Chinese lineup of Jaecoo E5, BYD Seal, MGS5 likely to prove hard to resist. The eVitara stands out in a crowd because of its striking good looks and the brand’s long-established reputation for durability and utility. The 10-year guarantee could be the trump card.

Suzuki eVitara