FOR more than three decades, the Suzuki Vitara has occupied a rather special place in British motoring.
First launched in 1988, the original Vitara arrived long before the term “SUV” became part of everyday vocabulary. Back then, most four-wheel drives were either rugged workhorses designed for farms and forestry, or expensive lifestyle statements aimed at those with more disposable income than muddy boots. Suzuki spotted an opportunity and created something brilliantly simple: a compact, affordable off-roader with genuine go-anywhere ability and everyday usability.
It was an instant hit.
The Vitara appealed to buyers who wanted reliability, practicality and value for money, but who also liked the idea of sitting a little higher and being able to venture confidently down a muddy track or across a snow-covered road. In many ways, it helped lay the groundwork for the crossover boom that would follow years later.
Generation after generation, the Vitara has remained true to those core principles. It has never tried to be ostentatious. It has simply offered honest engineering, sensible running costs and the sort of dependable ownership experience that earns fierce loyalty.
Now Suzuki has taken one of its best-loved names and plugged it into the future.
The new e Vitara is the company’s first fully electric vehicle, yet rather than producing an EV that feels alien to existing customers, Suzuki has focused on preserving the qualities that made the Vitara so popular in the first place – practicality, simplicity, robustness and value.
However, there is now a battery beneath the floor instead of a petrol engine under the bonnet.
The result is an electric SUV that feels reassuringly familiar while showcasing a surprising amount of engineering sophistication. Built on the dedicated HEARTECT-e platform and packed with thoughtful features such as a standard heat pump and advanced battery thermal management, the e Vitara demonstrates that Suzuki has taken its first steps into the EV world seriously.
Styling – Tough by Design
Suzuki calls the e Vitara’s design theme “High-Tech and Adventure,” which sounds like a rejected title for a 1980s Saturday morning cartoon. Fortunately, the car itself looks far more convincing.
At 4,275mm long, 1,800mm wide and 1,635mm tall, the e Vitara sits squarely in the heart of the compact SUV segment. A long 2,700mm wheelbase and short overhangs give it a planted stance, while deeply sculpted bodywork and pronounced wheel arch cladding provide a rugged, purposeful appearance.
Unlike some electric cars that appear as though they’ve been styled by people who dislike cars altogether, the e Vitara looks every inch a proper SUV. The upright front end, muscular shoulders and 185mm of ground clearance lend it genuine visual substance.
The Ultra model tested here rides on 19-inch alloy wheels and features a panoramic glass roof, rear privacy glass and distinctive three-point LED headlamps. The launch colour, Land Breeze Green Pearl Metallic, suits it particularly well and adds a touch of
The Vitara range
Suzuki has kept the e Vitara line-up refreshingly straightforward, offering two trim levels – Motion and Ultra – along with a choice of battery sizes and drivetrains. Whether you’re looking for an affordable entry into electric motoring or a fully loaded all-wheel-drive SUV ready for Scottish winters and muddy caravan sites, there should be an e Vitara to suit.
The range begins with the e Vitara Motion 49kWh 2WD, priced from £26,249 (all prices include Suzuki’s £3,750 “Suzuki Granted” customer saving). This entry-level model offers a 144PS electric motor and a WLTP combined range of up to 213 miles. Despite being the most affordable version, it still comes generously equipped with 18-inch alloy wheels, navigation, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a reversing camera, front and rear parking sensors, and a standard heat pump.
Stepping up to the e Vitara Motion 61kWh 2WD, priced from £29,249, brings a larger battery, increased power to 174PS and a WLTP combined range of up to 264 miles. It also adds heated front seats, a heated steering wheel and rear ventilation outlets – particularly welcome on a frosty January morning.
For those who need genuine four-wheel-drive capability, the e Vitara Motion ALLGRIP-e 61kWh 4WD starts at £31,249. This version adds a second electric motor on the rear axle, boosting total output to 183PS and torque to 307Nm, while introducing Trail mode and Hill Descent Control for improved traction in slippery conditions.
The e Vitara Ultra 61kWh 2WD, tested here, starts from £32,049. In addition to the larger battery and 174PS motor, Ultra specification adds 19-inch alloy wheels, a panoramic glass roof, 360-degree camera, wireless phone charging, a 10-way electrically adjustable driver’s seat, half synthetic leather upholstery and an excellent Infinity premium audio system with subwoofer.
At the top of the range sits the e Vitara Ultra ALLGRIP-e 61kWh 4WD, priced from £34,049. This combines the Ultra’s generous equipment list with Suzuki’s dual-motor ALLGRIP-e system, giving buyers the full technological package and authentic all-weather capability.
What stands out is how competitively the e Vitara is priced, especially considering the amount of standard equipment. Features such as a heat pump, integrated navigation, wireless smartphone connectivity and a comprehensive suite of safety systems are included from the outset, while even the flagship Ultra ALLGRIP-e undercuts many similarly equipped rivals.sophistication.
Interior
Step inside and the transformation is a world away from the previous Vitara – as you would expect.
Dominating the dashboard is a dual-screen integrated display comprising a 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster and a 10.1-inch central touchscreen.
Thankfully, Suzuki has resisted the industry trend of burying every function within endless touchscreen menus – which is good news as the unit isn’t the most responsive. You’ll be thankful that wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto come as standard.
Physical climate controls remain in place, though, which means you can adjust the temperature without prodding a glossy panel.
The D-shaped steering wheel, floating centre console and ambient lighting provide a suitably contemporary feel, while the overall layout is logical and easy to understand.
Material quality is typically Suzuki – solid rather than extravagant. But everything feels well assembled and durable. This is very much in keeping with Suzuki’s ethos.
The Ultra specification adds a wireless phone charger, Infinity premium audio system with subwoofer, 10-way electrically adjustable driver’s seat, heated steering wheel and heated front seats.
Rear-seat passengers are particularly well served. The bench slides through 160mm and the backrests recline, allowing owners to prioritise either passenger comfort or luggage space. Very neat at this price point.
Boot capacity ranges from 238 litres with the seats fully rearward to 306 litres when slid forward, expanding to 562 litres with the seats folded.
Technology
This is where the e Vitara becomes especially interesting.
As Suzuki’s first electric vehicle, the company has approached battery technology with its usual emphasis on reliability and real-world usability rather than chasing headline-grabbing numbers.
The e Vitara sits on an all-new HEARTECT-e platform developed specifically for battery electric vehicles. This architecture eliminates traditional underfloor cross-members to maximise battery space.
The battery itself becomes part of the vehicle’s structure, improving rigidity and helping suppress noise and vibration.
Also, unlike many rivals that charge extra for a heat pump, Suzuki includes one as standard across the range.
This system helps maintain battery temperature in both hot and cold conditions, improving efficiency, preserving range and reducing charging times. With a maximum charging speed of 70kW the e Vitara isn’t going to trouble many rivals and so the heat pump is a welcome standard fit.
Three years of Suzuki Connect services are included. Owners can monitor charging status, schedule charging to take advantage of cheaper electricity tariffs, pre-condition the cabin and battery remotely, and even upload photographs to display on the infotainment screen.
Driving
The e Vitara immediately feels reassuringly normal. That may sound faint praise, but in the world of electric vehicles it is one of the highest compliments possible.
There are no peculiar controls to learn, no unnecessarily dramatic acceleration modes and no sense that you are participating in a public beta test.
Instead, you simply get in, twist the shift dial and drive.
Performance is brisk rather than outrageous. The 174PS motor delivers smooth and immediate acceleration, making urban driving effortless and overtaking swift.
Three driving modes – Eco, Normal and Sport – subtly alter throttle response. Sport sharpens reactions appreciably, though the e Vitara never feels unruly.
Ride comfort is adequate. The suspension, with MacPherson struts at the front and a multi-link rear setup, absorbs most broken surfaces with composure but the e Vitara does get unsettled over badly pock-marked roads. Noise suppression – especially at motorway speeds is also only adequate. Neither is a deal-breaker though and you’ll find town and B-road driving satisfying enough to put a smile on your face.
The steering is light and accurate, making town driving easy, while body control remains secure through faster bends. It is not a sports SUV, but it feels planted, predictable and confidence-inspiring. In other words, it behaves like a Suzuki should.
Real-World Range and Charging
Suzuki quotes a WLTP combined range of 264 miles for the 61kWh front-wheel-drive Ultra.
In mixed real-world use, a figure of around 220 to 240 miles appears entirely realistic depending on temperature, speed and driving style. In my week of driving I was well on my way to around the 240 mark with the outside tempertures often well below 10-degrees C.
For many households, that would comfortably cover a week’s commuting and family duties.
Charging performance is competitive rather than class-leading. Using a 7kW home wallbox, a 10 to 100 per cent charge takes approximately nine hours. An 11kW three-phase supply reduces this to around five and a half hours, while DC rapid charging from 10 to 80 per cent takes about 45 minutes.
The inclusion of “My Room” mode is a thoughtful touch, allowing occupants to remain inside using the heating, air conditioning and audio system while charging.
ALLGRIP-e
Although the test car was front-wheel drive, the optional ALLGRIP-e system deserves special mention.
Suzuki has more than half a century of four-wheel-drive expertise, and the company has ensured that the electric Vitara retains authentic off-road credibility.
ALLGRIP-e uses a second motor on the rear axle, increasing combined output to 183PS and torque to 307Nm.
More importantly, it provides rapid and precise torque distribution between front and rear wheels.
Trail mode uses brake-based limited-slip differential technology to direct torque to the wheels with grip, while Hill Descent Control assists on steep slopes.
In practical terms, this means the e Vitara should cope confidently with muddy campsites, slippery forestry roads and Scottish winters that can transform the school run into an audition for Ice Road Truckers.
Few electric SUVs in this class offer such genuine all-weather and all-terrain capability.
Safety and Warranty
Standard features include Dual Sensor Brake Support, Adaptive Cruise Control, Blind Spot Monitor, Rear Cross Traffic Alert, Lane Keep Assist, Driver Monitoring System and Traffic Sign Recognition.
Ultra models add a 360-degree camera and Adaptive High Beam System.
The e Vitara also benefits from one of the strongest warranty packages in the sector.
Suzuki offers up to ten years or 100,000 miles of vehicle and battery cover through its Service Activated Warranty programme, provided servicing is carried out within the dealer network.
For cautious EV buyers, that reassurance is worth its weight in lithium.
Value
The Suzuki e Vitara Ultra 61kWh is priced from £32,049 – after the £3,750 grant is deducted.
That positions it competitively against rivals such as the Kia EV3, Hyundai Kona Electric, Volvo EX30 and the excellent Renault 4.
What distinguishes the Suzuki is the sheer amount of standard equipment and the inclusion of features that are optional extras elsewhere, including the heat pump, heated seats, heated steering wheel, glass roof, premium audio and advanced connected services.
As ever with Suzuki, the numbers add up rather well.
Verdict
The Suzuki e Vitara achieves something surprisingly difficult. It embraces the latest electric vehicle technology without losing sight of the straightforward virtues that made the Vitara such a success in the first place.
It is practical, comfortable, thoughtfully engineered and generously equipped. Its technology is impressive, but always purposeful. The choice of durable LFP battery chemistry, the standard heat pump, the dedicated EV platform and the availability of genuine four-wheel drive all demonstrate a company taking its first EV seriously.
Most importantly, the e Vitara feels trustworthy. In an increasingly crowded electric SUV market, that quality counts for a great deal.
This is not an electric car designed to dazzle with gimmicks or headline-grabbing acceleration figures. It is designed to fit seamlessly into everyday life, to cope with British weather, and to provide years of dependable service.
Which, when you think about it, is exactly what a Vitara has always done.
At a Glance:
- Make & Model: Suzuki e Vitara Ultra 61kWh 2WD Automatic
- Price (OTR): £32,049 (including £3,750 Suzuki Granted customer saving)
- Power: 174 PS (171 bhp)
- Torque: 193 Nm
- 0–62 mph: 8.7 seconds
- Top Speed: 93 mph
- Battery: 61 kWh lithium iron phosphate (LFP)
- Drivetrain: Front-wheel drive (ALLGRIP-e dual-motor 4WD optional)
- WLTP Range: Up to 264 miles
- Real-World Range: Around 220–240 miles
