New Suzuki Vitara Full-Hybrid model launched for 2022

In 2021, a report from Austrian site Die Motorprofis that discussed future Suzuki models in an exclusive story suggested a Suzuki Vitara Full Hybrid will arrive in January 2022. Moreover, it claimed that the next-gen Suzuki Vitara will follow in 2024, 10 years after the current generation compact SUV debuted at the Paris Motor Show.

Suzuki Vitara Full Hybrid

As reported, a Suzuki Vitara Full Hybrid has silently arrived in Europe. Netherlands and Poland are among the first markets to have received the Suzuki hybrid SUV. The collaborative business agreement between Suzuki and Toyota does include sourcing the latter’s hybrid system (Toyota Hybrid System) for Suzuki models. However, Suzuki appears to have developed a new powertrain in this case.

Suzuki Vitara Full Hybrid rear three quarter
Like all other HEVs, the Vitara Full Hybrid features Suzuki’s trademark black & blue ‘Hybrid’ badge on its tailgate.

Also called Suzuki Vitara Strong Hybrid, the HEV uses a new ‘K15C’ 1.5-litre MPI naturally aspirated petrol engine, a new electric motor, and a new lithium-ion battery pack. The engine produces 75 kW (102 PS) at 6,000 rpm and 138 Nm at 4,400 rpm. The electric motor generates 24.6 kW and 60 Nm using energy stored in a 0.84 kWh (140 V, 6 Ah) lithium-ion battery pack. The combined power of the petrol engine and the electric motor is 85 kW (115 PS).

2022 Suzuki Vitara AspectSpecification
Engine NameK15C
Engine Displacement1.5L (1,462 cc)
Engine Power75 kW (102 PS) at 6,000 rpm
Engine Torque138 Nm at 4,400 rpm
Battery Pack TypeLithium-ion
Battery Pack Capacity0.84 kWh (140 V, 6 Ah)
Electric Motor Power24.6 kW
Electric Motor Torque60 Nm
Combined Power85 kW (116 PS)
Transmission6-speed automatic
Drivetrain Layout2WD/4WD
0-100 km/h Acceleration Time12.7 seconds (2WD)/13.5 seconds (4WD)
Top Speed180 km/h

A 6-speed automatic transmission is standard in the Vitara Full Hybrid, while the Allgrip 4WD system is available as an option. The 2WD configurations deliver a fuel economy of up to 18.9 km/l and the 4WD configurations up to 17.5 km/l. Their CO2 emissions are as low as 121 g/km and 130 g/km, respectively.

The towing capacity of the Vitara Full Hybrid is 1,200 kg, which is 300 kg lower than that of the Vitara Mild Hybrid. Suzuki has placed the traction battery pack in the boot. As a result, the space is down from 362 litres (rear seats up)/642 litres (rear seats down)/1,119 litres (max. volume) to 289 litres (rear seats up)/569 litres (rear seats up)/1,046 litres (max. volume).

In the Netherlands, the Vitara Full Hybrid’s prices start at EUR 28,250, and deliveries will begin by March. In Poland, the Vitara Strong Hybrid costs PLN 107,500 (EUR 23,646) onwards. The competition will include models like Hyundai Kona, Nissan Juke, Renault Captur, Peugeot 2008, Citroen C3 Aircross, and VW T-Cross.

On the Suzuki Vitara PHEV

The Die Motorprofis report had said that the next-gen Vitara following in 2024 will be available with a plug-in hybrid system. No details of this rumored plug-in hybrid system have surfaced yet. It is safe to assume that the K15C engine-based full-hybrid system would reappear in the next generation, and the PHEV could be another in-house Suzuki powertrain, with a long Electric mode range.

2020 Suzuki Vitara mild hybrid rear quarters UK
Suzuki could stretch the tenure of the current-gen Vitara to mid-decade with the new hybrid system. Image: Suzuki

Suzuki electrification strategy

From the announcements it has made so far, the company is not bullish on electric vehicles in the first half of the decade. In the announcement on 24 February 2021 on the mid-term plan (Apr 2021 – Mar 2026), Suzuki provided an outline. It said with regard to CO2 emissions, it would develop electrification technologies by 2025, and implement these in vehicles from 2025, and make a full-scale quantitative increase from 2030. It committed to investing ¥1 trillion into R&D, such as electrification, over the next five years.

Featured image: Suzuki