The new electric Vitara – is it good for off-roading? (TEST)

Suzuki is celebrating a world premiere because it is launching its first electric model on the market in the new year 2025. Here it is with us - we tested the new Suzuki e-Vitara magazin de piese auto online.

The new electric Vitara – is it good for off-roading? (TEST)

The 4x4 version of the Suzuki Vitara we tested accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h in a brisk 7.4 seconds, but it can't hide its 1.9-tonne weight on winding roads. However, the handling remains predictable, probably thanks to the multi-link rear suspension. The ventilated disc brakes on all wheels also perform well. The turning circle, at 10.4 metres, is small enough.

It feels like the Japanese didn’t want to make just an SUV that’s afraid of off-road driving. A synchronous electric motor with 174 hp works in front, and a second one with 65 hp in the back. Since the latter sends 114 Nm of torque to the rear axle, this should be enough for starting from a pile of deep snow at a ski resort or for trekking along muddy roads in the forest.

4×4 feel like an ICE model?

In addition, the Trail mode helps to improve off-road performance, which simulates the good old locking of the center differential - and prevents the useless slipping of the wheels on one of the axles. In addition, in this mode, the Vitara starts off relatively smoothly, so as not to “dig in”, and the ESP allows a certain amount of slipping. The ground clearance of 180 mm will not be enough for professionals working with rubber boots, but resourceful Suzuki dealers have already started offering suspension lifting kits (at least for the gasoline modification).

The lithium-iron-phosphate battery has its advantages (strong, durable, less susceptible to freezing, free of toxic heavy metals), but we cannot ignore its disadvantages – the maximum charging power is only 90 kW. When you “fill” it with direct current from 10 to 80 percent, you have to hang on the charging station for at least 45 minutes. And if you use a Wallbox at 11 kW, charging the small battery takes 4.5 hours, and the large one – 5.5 hours. However, at least the “Japanese” relies on modern heating with a heat pump.

In the end, the Vitara concept seems a bit contradictory: the cabin space and seats are suitable for a long journey, but not the DC charging time.

Conclusion

The electric e Vitara is much more modern than the 10-year-old petrol model – the days of clumsy lane-keeping systems and overly “nervous” emergency braking assistants from Suzuki are long gone. The main weakness is the long DC charging time.

Car parts AutoPower
Car parts AutoPower

The 4x4 version of the Suzuki Vitara we tested accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h in a brisk 7

It feels like the Japanese didn’t want to make just an SUV that’s afraid of off-road driving