Suzuki e Vitara launch drive
The
name is familiar, very familiar, but this is a Suzuki Vitara unlike anything
that has gone before.
Vitara
has been the cornerstone of Suzuki for the best part of four decades, but this
is not just a model update. It is new from the ground up, built on a purpose
built electric platform and instead of a petrol engine it has an electric
motor. Yes, Suzuki has finally given us an electric car and I am going to tell
you whether it has been worth the wait.
Meet
the e Vitara and the new face of Suzuki. It is fitting the company has kept the
name, after all Suzuki is Vitara rather than the other way round, but first
let’s get the essentials nailed down.
Two
battery options, 49kWh or 61kWh, with ranges of 214 miles and 264 miles
respectively, two models, Motion and Ultra, all wheel drive, which is rare in
this segment, and with a competitive starting pricing.
Pricing:
£26,249 will secure a pearlescent white 49kWh Motion. Metallic colours are £650
extra or £950 for two tone. Top of the range Ultra is £32,049 and £34,049 for
Allgrip.
We
have waited a while for Vitara to join the smart set and here it is. A compact
SUV, no surprises there, with a smart, modern interior, by that I mean a bang
up to date digital displays rather than outdated dials, and contrasting tan
trim around the cabin but only on two body colours. I always felt Suzuki lagged
behind on interior quality, too much hard black plastic, so this is a decent
step forward.
The
tan dashboard finish breaks things up with a 10.3in digital driver’s binnacle
and 10.1in central touchscreen for navigation, infotainment, etc but separate
physical switches for heating, and hooray for that. The splash of colour is
carried over to the door trim and seats on the two tone Ultra model.
That
pushes you to the top end of the price scale but I would be looking at the
entry Motion with the option of the 49 or 61kWh battery because the spec level
is generous and includes reversing camera, front and rear parking sensors,
smartphone connectivity, keyless entry, navigation and a heat pump which
preserves driving range. It is not unusual to see 25-30 miles disappear on a
frosty morning with the heating going full blast so a useful addition.
Add
in a suite of safety features, with front collision braking and rear cross
traffic alert, and this is looking like a substantial package.
The
higher battery output Motion also throws in heated front seats and heated
steering wheel. Does anyone really need
a heated steering wheel?
Additional
features for Ultra are wireless phone charger, adaptive auto dipping
headlights, higher grade sound system, 360 degree camera, glass roof panel and
powered driver’s seat. The upgraded Allgrip model gets hill descent control and
trail mode and is surprisingly good at keeping you on the straight and narrow
in challenging conditions.
Cabin
space is good and there is loads of backseat legroom room while the sliding
back seat is a useful addition. The 310 litres of boot space is down on some
rivals who are topping 400 litres but it will take three good sized suitcases.
If the children have grown out of pushchairs and the like it might not be
important.
Performance
from the 61kWh battery is adequate, some rivals are quicker off the mark but
surely slamming foot to the floor does not match with driving an electric car.
The ride favours comfort although there should be no complaints of intrusive
body roll on twisting roads.
Vitara
can take a maximum charge of 150kW so away from home a top up to 80 percent
takes 45 minutes, a bit longer than rivals which can do the job in under 30
minutes. You will save a heap of money charging at home which will take between
six and nine hours depending on battery size.
A
worthwhile new feature for Suzuki is an extended 10 year car and battery
warranty (the industry standard for the battery is eight years) activated after
three years but you must have the car serviced at a Suzuki dealer. And private
buyers get a free wall charger.
Suzuki
has been lagging behind on the electric front but given its solid reputation
for reliability and exceptional value should put e Vitara on an equal footing
with its rivals.
Fast
facts
e
Vitara Ultra 174bhp
£32,049
Battery:
61kWh
0-62mph
8.7secs; 93mph
E
consumption: 4.2 miles/kWh
Boot:
310-562 litres
1st
VED £10
Insurance group 23
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