Suzuki e Vitara review: A hugely likeable first EV from £26,249
Suzuki has taken its first step into the fully electric market with a handsome, well-equipped and reassuringly capable SUV that feels every inch a proper Vitara
Suzuki buyers are a loyal bunch. And it always says a lot for a brand when their fans keep coming back for more.
The Vitara has long been something of a hero car for Suzuki, and it's a smallish SUV that's never really wandered far from its brief - until now.
Because this, the new e Vitara looks pretty different from its predecessors and brings with it an important change. It's electric.
In fact, it's Suzuki's first full EV, and it's a pretty handsome thing, with a raked tailgate, muscular haunches, and a nicely proportioned stance.
It's also reasonably affordable for an EV, largely thanks to Suzuki's "Suzuki Granted" discount, which brings the base model down to £26,249.
That gets you a 2WD single motor version with the smaller 49kWh battery. A bigger battery nudges you towards £30,000 and if you opt for the Allgrip 4WD system, which most people are likely to, it'll sail past £30,000 and on towards £35,000.
But it still offers decent value for money, with even the base "Motion" spec coming with big alloys, LED headlights, a 10.25in digital driver's display and 10.1in infotainment screen.
There's also interior ambient lighting, sliding rear seats, front and rear parking sensors, a rear-view camera, a driver assistance package and even keyless entry and start on the entry level version.
It drives well, too. With nicely-weighed steering, well judged controls, and a soft ride.
That soft ride reflects the e Vitara's lack of excitement once you hit the twisty stuff. It feels less settled and even a little heavy, with even the 172bhp offered by the 61kWh variant failing to deliver anything in the way of thrills.
There's plenty of grunt for bombing around town, though, and that torquey nature gives it a reassuring edge off road which, as you'd expect from a Suzuki Vitara, is one of its aces, even if you don't opt for the Allgrip version.
Its range is respectable if not impressive, with a claimed 213 miles for the 41kWh battery and 264 for the 61kWh version. This reduces a bit in the 4WD variants, obviously, and you might struggle to get to the WLTP 4.1 miles per kWh on most journeys, so expect at least 200 miles on a good day and you won't be disappointed.
All models come with a battery pre-conditioner, but the maximum charging speed is a relatively pedestrian 70kW, so even on a rapid charger a 10-80% top-up would take 45 minutes. This is better for the battery in the long term, but not so handy on lengthy road trips.
The interior feels like it's been designed with function as a priority rather than form, and that's probably not a bad thing.
What it lacks in flair, it makes up for in ease of use, with a small panel of physical buttons (hoorah) and a nicely tactile set of driver controls.
The two digital displays are decent in terms of resolution, and the driver's display is decent, but the infotainment screen feels a bit dated alongside most of its more modern rivals.
Cabin space is good, though, with a flat floor, and a boot that offers up to 310 litres, depending on the battery version and where you leave the rear sliding seats.
Overall, then, the e Vitara is a thoroughly likeable proposition, and a reassuring first foray into the EV world from a brand that has a habit of getting the basics nailed down really well.
Buyers can even get a 10 year warranty, thanks to a clever "activated warranty" system that extends the standard three-year cover up to a decade as long as you keep going back to a Suzuki dealer.
And, given the loyalty of the usual Suzuki buyer, that's unlikely to be an issue, because most of them will be on first-name terms with the staff at their branch anyway.
The e Vitara isn't perfect, but it's going to be a welcome addition to the forecourt for fans who have been waiting for the arrival of an EV.
Get one in a decent colour, opt for the Allgrip with the bigger battery if you can, and you'll have a really competent car that'll scratch your electric itch and doubtless be a dependable workhorse for years to come. That's exactly what Suzuki Vitaras have always done well.