MILD IMPROVEMENTS (some text hidden) SECTIONED_new_suzukivitarahybrid_2020

By Jonathan Crouch

Suzuki's improved Vitara features both mild hybrid and full hybrid tech. Jonathan Crouch takes a look.

Ten Second Reviewword count: 77

This Suzuki Vitara may be one of the older designs in the compact SUV segment but Suzuki has constantly tried to improve it, most recently with the update we look at here. There's a fully electrified engine range, with the choice of either mild hybrid or Full Hybrid petrol powertrains. Unusually in this class, there's still the option of a proper lockable 4WD system if you want it. Time to take a second look at this car.

Backgroundword count: 153

Electrification is these days so important to automotive makers that developing it takes precedence over creating new designs. For proof of that, take a look at the Suzuki Vitara. The current fourth generation 'LY'-series design has been around since 2014 and was facelifted in 2019. In late 2024, Suzuki introduced the further update we're going to look at here. With this, Vitaras get a slightly smarter look and some extra equipment, but otherwise, things are much as before, with a choice of either mild hybrid or Full Hybrid drivetrains. The idea behind this update is to remind customers that this Suzuki is still very much a credible and affordable contender in the compact SUV segment. And it's one of the few contenders in that class still available with 4WD as an option. So should you put it back on your wish list if you're shopping in this sector? Let's take a closer look.

Driving Experienceword count: 319

The Vitara has a slightly more athletic feel than Suzuki's other compact SUV in this segment, the S-Cross, and that hasn't been appreciably diluted by the marginal extra weight of the additional electrified tech. Let's start with the 1.4-litre mild hybrid model, which comes only with a manual gearbox and the choice of front wheel drive or ALLGRIP 4WD. You may be familiar with the way that mild hybrid engines work but just in case not, here's a quick re-cap. Basically, energy that would otherwise be lost when braking or cruising off-throttle is harvested via a kinetic energy recovery system and sent to a small lithium-ion battery that here has been placed beneath the front passenger seat. This is used to drive a belt-driven 'ISG' unit (an 'Integrated Starter/Generator') and power the engine's stop/start system. Suzuki's old 12-volt mild hybrid package didn't do a lot more than that but this improved 48-volt set-up can also deliver a couple of other important benefits. The first is something quite unusual amongst current mild hybrids - the ability for this Suzuki to idle and even coast on full-electric power, though only below 10mph. What about the alternative 1.5-litre Full Hybrid model? Well here, a normally aspirated petrol unit with 114bhp 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. This powertrain can be specified with a proper lockable ALLGRIP 4WD system on the top-spec 'Ultra' variant.

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