Suzuki's improved Vitara is at its most frugal with a Full Hybrid engine. Jonathan Crouch takes a look.

Ten Second Review

In 2022, Suzuki at last got around to developing its own Full Hybrid engine, introduced beneath the bonnet of its Vitara compact SUV, a model updated in late 2024 to create the car we're going to look at here. It comes only with an automated manual 6-speed gearbox and the gains in efficiency aren't huge. But at least this 1.5-litre powertrain is all the company's own, a good sign for the brand's future independence.

Background

Suzuki claimed to be pioneering hybrid technology across all its SUVs back in 2019 when it introduced that tech in its Vitara and S-Cross models. When the small print was inspected though, it turned out that 'hybrid' in that particular case meant 'mild hybrid': basically a tiny battery assisting celebration and working the start/stop system. But not really doing that much for efficiency at all. Unlike a full-Hybrid, mild hybrid engines can't allow the powerplant to ever run on full battery power. Suzuki knew it had to do better. First in 2020, it borrowed a 1.8-litre full-Hybrid engine (and just about everything else) from Toyota to create the compact Swace estate. That was merely a prelude though, to the introduction of its own 1.5-litre Full Hybrid engine in 2022, which features here in the Full Hybrid Vitara, a car updated in late 2024.

Driving Experience

Suzuki has chosen to base this Full Hybrid engine not on its engaging 1.4-litre Boosterjet engine but on a normally aspirated 1.5-litre petrol unit with 114bhp. This is combined with a 33bhp belt-driven electric motor generator powered by a tiny 0.84kWh battery. All the power is fed through a 6-speed automated manual gearbox, which you can expect to feel somewhat slow and clunky until you learn to lift off between ratio changes. There's an 'Eco' mode to improve frugality, but you might not want to engage it too often because it restricts throttle response and even in its normal drive setting, this car is no ball of fire. Rest to 62mph occupies 12.7s on the way to a top speed of 108mph. At least the crisp handling seems unaffected by the clever engine upfront. Through the corners, the car's eager to change direction and body roll's decently controlled. You even get a welcome bit of initial bite from the steering when first you turn in, though unfortunately, the response gets a bit vaguer the faster you go. Traction's good too and on that subject, it's worth pointing out one of the Vitara model line's key selling points; the fact that it's one of the few models in its segment that can be ordered with 4WD - the Suzuki 'ALLGRIP' system. This can be specified with the Full Hybrid engine and offers 'Auto' and 'Sport' settings for tarmac use and 'Snow' and 'Lock' options to help you through poor conditions.

Design and Build

Suzuki has taken the opportunity as part of this update to make a few small visual tweaks. There's a re-designed front grille and bumper, a rear upper spoiler incorporating rear window side spoilers and newly designed 17-inch alloy wheels. This remains a crossover positioned size-wise somewhere between the small and mid-sized SUV segments, 4,175mm in length and slightly taller than its visually less striking S-Cross showroom stablemate. This remains quite an assured piece of design work with its clamshell bonnet, blacked-out floating glasshouse, heavily sculpted flanks and a very neat tail-lamp finish. Inside, the cabin is beginning to date a bit, with quite a few hard plastic surfaces, though it all seems to have been pretty well screwed together by the Hungarian factory. The centre-dash infotainment screen is now 9-inches in size and now boasts a wireless link for its 'Apple CarPlay'/'Android Auto' smartphone-mirroring systems. There's reasonably comfortable room for a couple of adults in the rear, though the twin sunroofs of the top 'Ultra' model do rob a few centimetres of headroom. Out back, there's a reasonably-sized 375-litre boot. If you need more room, pushing forward the 60:40-split rear bench frees up 710-litre of space - and the floor can be completely flat if you position the adjustable boor floor in its upper position.

Market and Model

Pricing starts at around £29,000, which gets you the entry-level 'Motion' version of this Vitara Full Hybrid. You'll need another £2,000 if you want the plusher 'Ultra' level of trim. And just over £32,000 if you want 'Ultra' spec with Suzuki's ALLGRIP all wheel drive system. Basically, you're looking at a premium of around £1,750 over the mild hybrid manual model. Standard equipment for all Full Hybrid variants is pretty comprehensive. Even base 'Motion' trim gives you LED projector headlights, auto air conditioning, auto headlamps and wipers, 17-inch alloy wheels, front and rear electric windows, roof rails, heated door mirrors, keyless entry, a 9-inch infotainment screen, High Beam Assist, an auto-dimming rear-view mirror and rear parking sensors, plus Suzuki Connect connected services that includes three years free subscription. Along with navigation, skid plates, rear privacy glass and white-stitched upholstery. The top 'Ultra' trim level you have to have if you want the option of ALLGRIP 4WD gives you a double-sliding panoramic sunroof, 17-inch polished alloy wheels, front parking sensors, power-folding mirrors, an overhead storage console and suede upholstery. As for safety, well that's now been improved. There's now Lane Keep Assist, Intelligent Speed Control, Driver Monitoring System andan eCall system linked to the seven airbags. A further important and standard safety feature for both grades is an upgraded Dual Sensor Brake Support system using a millimetre-wave radar (previously lidar) combined with a monocular camera. This system has enhanced collision mitigation with improved night time and intersection visibility and with its improved functionality can detect pedestrians, cyclists, motorcyclists and vehicles in front.

Cost of Ownership

So, what kind of efficiency difference does this Full Hybrid tech make to the Vitara? Well, the now-improved official combined cycle WLTP figure is 56.4mpg, with up to 113g/km of CO2, which is comparable in this segment to what you'd get from, say, a Toyota Yaris Cross Hybrid or the full-Hybrid self charging version of Renault's Captur E-TECH. The ALLGRIP 4WD version returns up to 50.4mpg and 127g/km. As with all Suzukis, this one is covered by a three year/60,000 mile warranty, plus a year of AA Suzuki Assistance, providing 24 hour UK and European roadside assistance, recovery and associated services. There's also a 12 year perforation warranty.

Summary

We're pleased that Suzuki has retained its own approach to engineering for this Full Hybrid engine rather than simply borrowing from Toyota. But a glance at the price list reveals that there's a price to pay for that. We can't help wondering how many Vitara customers are going to be prepared to stump up for it. Perhaps it doesn't matter too much. This current Vitara design's production life is limited. And generous discounts are available on all variants (including this one) at the brand's dealerships. You'll need that to make this car a really competitive proposition. But at the right price, it might still be.