2025 Suzuki eVitara electric SUV revealed: Iconic name goes EV

11/04/2024 06:02 PM

Suzuki has revealed its first mass-production electric car, the 2025 Suzuki eVitara, due in overseas showrooms next year – but yet to be confirmed for sale in Australia.

The eVitara – officially stylised ‘e VITARA’ – is said to be based on a dedicated electric-car platform, rather than a conversion of the ageing petrol and hybrid Vitara small SUV alongside which it will be sold.

Suzuki’s new electric vehicle will spawn a Toyota version – previewed by the Urban SUV concept revealed last year – built on the same production line in India, where two in five new cars are Suzukis.

Australian plans for the new Suzuki eVitara are yet to be confirmed, but the company has expressed interest in joining the electric-car market locally – and it could be in showrooms in 2026.

“I would like to think that we can make an announcement in 2025 about [full battery] electrification,” Michael Pachota, boss of Suzuki Australia, told Drive in June, hinting that showroom arrivals may not commence until 2026.

Suzuki has confirmed the new model for sale in Europe, India, and Japan – among other markets – from the northern summer of 2025 (our winter; June to August).

The eVitara is based on the Suzuki eVX concept revealed in India nearly two years ago, with blocky styling and a choice of 18-inch or 19-inch wheels.

It is 100mm longer nose to tail than a petrol Suzuki Vitara – but offers 200mm more between the front and rear wheels for more interior space – with a slightly wider and taller body.

At 4275mm long, 1800mm wide and 1635mm tall, on a 2700mm wheelbase, the eVitara is similar in size to an MG ZS EV or Hyundai Kona Electric – but smaller than a BYD Atto 3.

Suzuki says the new model can seat five, with a 10.4-metre turning circle similar to its competitors.

Three versions of the eVitara are available – two front-wheel drive, and one all-wheel drive – all based on a new ‘Heartect-e’ platform developed for electric vehicles.

The battery packs in all variants use lithium iron phosphate (LFP) chemistry – as per BYD and popular Tesla electric cars – which can be recharged to 100 per cent regularly without accelerating the wear of the battery cells.

Entry-level versions use a 106kW/189Nm front electric motor and 49kWh battery pack, which is upgraded to 128kW/189Nm and a 61kWh battery in long-range trims.

Flagship grades combine the 61kWh battery with two motors – 128kW front and 48kW rear – for combined outputs of 135kW and 300Nm.

Driving range figures are yet to be published, but UK media reports claim Suzuki is targeting 250 miles (402km) for the larger pack.

Auto Express reports the eVitara can fast charge at up to 150kW for a 15 to 70 per cent refill in “around” 30 minutes. The eVitara weighs between 1702kg and 1899kg, depending on model – significantly heavier than a petrol Vitara.

All-wheel-drive versions use an ‘AllGrip-e’ 4WD system with a Trail mode said to simulate a limited-slip differential, by applying the brakes to wheels that lose traction.

Inside, the eVitara’s cabin is more advanced than any other Suzuki, with two large screens – which reportedly measure 10.25 inches for infotainment, and 10.1 inches for instrumentation – and a new two-spoke steering wheel.

The gear selector is a rotary dial seemingly taken from a Toyota bZ4X, while features such as climate control, a wireless phone charger, satellite navigation, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are visible.

Boot capacity is rated at 306 litres, according to Auto Express, though the rear seats can reportedly slide and fold for more space.

The 2025 Suzuki eVitara is due in European showrooms next year. Australian plans are yet to be announced.

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