Suzuki eVitara: The Global Debut of Suzuki’s First Electric SUV

The model is currently being assembled at the Gurajat plant in India with an expected annual production of 70,000 units, mostly for export.

Suzuki eVitara is considered the commercial version of the eVX concept, which was launched in 2023. While reusing the “Vitara” name from Suzuki’s famous SUV line, the eVitara does not share the same platform or design as the Grand Vitara (launched in 2022) or the older Vitara generation (sold since 2014). Instead, this electric SUV is developed on the dedicated Heartect-e platform for electric vehicles.

The exterior design of the eVitara closely follows the concept with a modern and futuristic language while retaining the robust and muscular character of a typical urban SUV. It has an overall length of 4,275 mm and a wheelbase of 2,700 mm, comparable to competitors in the B-segment such as the Toyota Corolla Cross and Hyundai Creta.

Inside the cabin, the Suzuki eVitara showcases its innovative spirit with a dual-screen dashboard, departing from the separate interface commonly found in current Suzuki models. This layout not only enhances aesthetics but also delivers a high-tech experience for the driver.

The interior features a standard two-row seating configuration, focusing on spaciousness and comfort for passengers. The materials and design details promise to offer a distinct feel compared to Suzuki’s internal combustion-powered SUVs.

The Suzuki eVitara will be offered in three different powertrain configurations to cater to diverse customer needs. The standard version comes with a single motor, producing either 144 hp or 174 hp and 190 Nm of torque.

On the other hand, the high-end all-wheel-drive version employs a dual-motor setup, generating 184 hp and 300 Nm of torque. Depending on the variant, the eVitara will be equipped with either a 49 kWh or 61 kWh battery pack, with the larger battery exclusively available for the all-wheel-drive configuration.

According to initial specifications, the Suzuki eVitara boasts an impressive range of between 420 and 500 km, setting a benchmark in the affordable electric SUV segment.

Suzuki has completed the trademark registration for the eVitara in India and is in the process of doing the same in other countries. Notably, the Netherlands has already started early access programs, allowing potential customers to experience the product before its official launch.

From June onwards, similar initiatives are expected to expand to Japan and several European countries, reflecting Suzuki’s global ambitions for this new electric SUV.

With the Gurajat plant as the primary production hub, Suzuki aims to export a significant portion of the eVitara to international markets, including its home country of Japan, where electric vehicles are not yet widely adopted.

In Vietnam, the Vitara nameplate left a strong impression in the 1990s and early 2000s, especially with the 5-door imported version. However, the model has been absent for almost two decades, unable to compete on price and features with other Korean and Japanese rivals.

Currently, Suzuki Vietnam has not provided any official confirmation regarding the future distribution of the eVitara. Nonetheless, according to some sources, the company is considering bringing both the new Grand Vitara and the eVitara to the country to expand its product portfolio, aligning with the growing demand for urban SUVs and electric vehicles.

TH (Tuoitrethudo)