Suzuki Vitara goes electric with hybrid and EV versions
Suzuki’s first battery-electric vehicle (BEV) for the Australian market, a hybridised version of the Vitara SUV, and an updated Jimny were all announced at a Suzuki Australia event this week.
Suzuki Vitara EV
The electric vehicle (EV), dubbed the Suzuki eVitara, is expected to go on sale in June or July 2026, with a WLTP range between 344km and 395km depending on specification.
Suzuki has yet to announce pricing for the EV, although given the hybrid Vitara retails for more than $40,000, the EV will likely start north of $50,000.
The Suzuki eVitara will be available in two specifications, Motion and Ultra.
The Motion will come with a 49kWh battery that powers a single motor on the front axle, producing 106kW and 193Nm.
The more premium Ultra comes with a 61kWh battery and dual motors that provide an electric version of Suzuki’s ‘All Grip’ four-wheel drive system. Output is substantially higher at 135kW and 307Nm.
The DC fast-charging rate from 10 to 80 per cent is a claimed 45 minutes, which puts the eVitara at the slower end among modern EVs.
Both the Motion and Ultra will have selectable driving modes, including Eco, Normal and Sport, plus Snow mode for the Motion and Trail mode in the all-paw Ultra.
Suzuki Vitara Hybrid
On sale now, the Suzuki Vitara Hybrid combines Suzuki’s 1.4-litre turbocharged ‘BoosterJet’ four-cylinder engine with a 48-volt hybrid system.
The inclusion of electric motor assistance adds a torque boost of 15Nm above the regular petrol Vitara, for total outputs of 81kW and 235Nm.
The Vitara Hybrid costs several thousand dollars more than the petrol equivalent, starting at $39,990 drive away for the front-wheel drive base model and $45,990 drive away for the All Grip.
Claimed fuel consumption figures of 5.8L/100km in the base model and 5.9L/100km in the All Grip are a fraction better (0.1L and 0.3L) than that in their petrol-only counterparts.
Suzuki Jimny
While it has been treated to a raft of in-cabin tech updates, the big news for Suzuki Jimny enthusiasts is that it is once again available in three-door guise.
The three-door Jimny was temporarily removed from Suzuki’s Australian lineup due to stricter autonomous emergency braking (AEB) regulations that came in March 2025.
It now rejoins the five-door Suzuki Jimny XL on the variants list, although both the three-door and five-door remain unrated by ANCAP (and pre-2025 models received a three-star rating).
Suzuki claims the Jimny Lite, which now starts at $31,990 before on-road costs, is “the most affordable off-roader with a manual transmission”.
Among the tech upgrades for 2026 are new infotainment systems that provide Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility, front and rear parking sensors for the Jimny Lite, and additional ADAS features.
Open Road will publish drive impressions of all three models next week.
