VITARA GETS A REAL SPARK (some text hidden) --NONE--

By Jonathan Crouch

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

Ten Second Reviewword count: 74

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.

Backgroundword count: 143

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 Experienceword count: 249

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.

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