Suzuki e Vitara AWD review: dual in the crown

Even the entry-level e Vitara 2WD is Suzuki New Zealand's most expensive model by far, at $54,990 (its next-most-costly is the S-Cross at $45,990). We tested that one recently: click here to see what we thought.

So if that's a small shock, steel yourself for the identical-looking e Vitara AWD. At $62,990 (or $63,990 with our test car's two-tone paintjob) it's another $8k step up, truly taking the brand into new pricing territory.

A Suzuki SUV with AWD just feels right... right? You get an extra motor, more power, and a bit more cred for what's the brand's first-ever pure-electric vehicle. But it is really worth the extra? Let's find out.

On the outside: what are the Suzuki e Vitara AWD's main design features?

The Indian-built e Vitara has a diffferent look to anything else from Suzuki, partly because it has to: it's also sold as the Toyota Urban Cruiser in some markets (not NZ) with only minor styling changes front and rear.

But we like the look. It's neat blend of slightly industrial exterior detailing (the Toyota influence perhaps) with dinky proportions (pure Suzuki).

This more expensive model stands stronger in the market than the 2WD because there's less competition combining a compact-SUV size, pure-electric power and AWD.

It's true city car size at less than 4.3m in length, but the wheel-at-each-corner stance allows a long 2.7m wheelbase. The AWD has aspirations a bit beyond city driving, of course.

OVERVIEW

On the inside: what's the Suzuki e Vitara AWD cabin like?

The cabin goes big on 4x4 style with square shapes and chunky controls. Brown is the standard trim colour (blended with black) and it has to be said it doesn't really go with many of the exterior colours... but perhaps that's the idea. It grows on you.

Passenger space is truly impressive for such a small car, although tall passengers might just find their heads brushing the roof lining in the back; the cutout for the panoramic roof provides more clearance up front.

The 10.25-inch infotainment screen and interior controls are well laid-out. There are physical buttons for audio volume and climate on the centre console, but the screen also provides a shortcut to the full menu. The infotainment system's native menus are a bit untidy, some of the graphics a bit grainy (including the 360-degree camera) and it's a bit sluggish to respond to the touch.

Heated seats are a nice touch for an EV, although you have to delve into the infotainment screen to active them: there's a home-screen shortcut, then you have to wait for a brief-but-tiresome animation before you can bring on the warmth. Three levels of heat to choose from, though.

There's an Infinity sound system with subwoofer and 12-colour ambient lighting.

The rear seat has a 40/20/40 split (also rake-adjustable) and a slide function that allows you to move the squab 160mm back-and-forth. Passenger space is truly impressive for such a small car, although tall passengers might just find their heads brushing the roof lining in the back; the cutout for the panoramic roof provides more clearance up front.

The boot is merely average. Depending on where the rear seat is positioned, you've got between 238-310 litres of load space, which is around 70l less than the outgoing Vitara. 

INTERIOR

On the road: what's the Suzuki e Vitara AWD like to drive?

The e Vitara draws on a couple of key relationships for its powertrain: BYD (the 61kWh Blade battery) and Toyota (eAxle).

We've previously praised the e Vitara's well-sorted steering and handling. The AWD is even more accomplished, given the extra power and traction.

Considering the extra money asked, the dual-motor AWD doesn't add a whole lot of performance to the 2WD package: only another 7kW, but a decent helping of torque: 114Nm. It also gets an extra Trail setting (a standalone button) to bolster the Eco, Normal and Sport drive modes.

On-road, the dual-motor configuration certainly shores-up the power delivery, especial on winding backroads where the extra traction keeps progress nice and smooth. And despite being 100kg heavier than the 2WD, it is quite a bit faster: 7.4 seconds to 100km/h versus 8.7sec.

The AWD also gives the e Vitara a bit of off-tarmac ability. Nobody's claiming it's the new Jimny, given its road-car platform and independt suspension. But it's surprising what it can do: we drove this very car on Suzuki NZ's media launch and tackled a few reasonable imposing piece of terrain.

EVs are exceptionally good on loose surfaces in general, because the electric motors can react so fast to changing traction requirements. Ground clearance just 5mm shy of the old Vitara at 180mm - albeit well short of the Jimny's 210mm.

Being a designated off-road tester, our car was wearing a set of all-terrain Nexen Roadian tyres. They certainly look the part and do the job off-tarmac, but they did undermine the car's on-road ride and handling just a little.

We've previously praised the e Vitara's well-sorted steering and handling. The AWD is even more accomplished given the extra power and traction, but the AT rubber did take the edge off the grip cornering accuracy just a tad. Not a deal-breaker, especially when they look so cute and chunky.

The tyres also soften off the ride a little compared to the 2WD, which is not a bad thing because it's not an e Vitara strong point. Regardless of tyres, the chassis feels a little underdamped on Kiwi backroads - although we'll emphasise a softer setup is still desirable in a car like this.

As with the 2WD, the regen adjustment is a bit weird. There's a button on the centre console that switches it on or off, but if you want to actually change the strength (there are three levels) you have to go into the vehicle settings inside the infotainment screen. 

The AWD loses 31km of range compared to the 2WD: 395km (WLTP). Maximum charging rate is modest at 65kW.

SPECIFICATIONS

On ownership: what's the Suzuki e Vitara AWD warranty and servicing situation?

New Suzukis are covered by a 3-year/100,000km warranty, which is extended to an 8-year/160,000km powertrain warranty if the vehicle is serviced at an authorised dealer. There's also roadside assistance for 5 years.

A (free) 1 month/1000km check is required, then servicing is every 12 months/10,000km.

On the whole: what do we think of the Suzuki e Vitara AWD?

As we said in our earlier review, the big problem for the e Vitara 2WD is price. It's $54k, but there's a staggering amount of competition in the $40k bracket, so it has to work pretty hard to make a case for itself.

It's ironic that the AWD is so much more expensive (remembering it's pretty much identical apart from the powertrain), but stands so much stronger in the market because there's less competition combining a compact-SUV size, pure-electric power and AWD.

It's still not an easy sell because some of its rivals are either larger or from premium brands. But the little Suzuki has a charm and appeal all its own. For under $60k it would be hard to resist.

Suzuki e Vitara AWD FAQs

What kind of car is the Suzuki e Vitara AWD?

A compact EV-SUV.

Does the Suzuki e Vitara AWD have hybrid or EV technology?

Yes, it's pure-electric.

What’s the efficiency of the Suzuki e Vitara AWD?

16.6kWh/100km. The AWD achieves a WLTP range of 395km from its 61kWh battery.

Is the Suzuki e Vitara AWD safe? 

The e Vitara scores 4 stars in NCAP and that score is expected to carry across to ANCAP (although it hasn't yet).

What safety and assistance features does the Suzuki e Vitara AWD have?

What are the Suzuki e Vitara AWD's main rivals?

• Toyota bZ4X Motion AWD ($66,990): A whole size larger than the Suzuki, but check out the price.
• Volvo EX30 Cross Country ($69,990): Volvo's baby has off-tarmac cred and crazy-fast performance.
• Zeekr X AWD ($69,990): Smallest Zeekr owes a lot to the Volvo above: platform, powertrain.
• Mini Countryman SE All4 ($81,990): And you though the Suzuki was expensive. Has a certain something, though.
• Leapmotor C10 AWD ($66,990): A wild card, but medium-large C10 AWD is super-fast and comes at a bargain price.