First Look: Suzuki eVitara – Brand's First EV SUV Has 2 Battery & Driveline Options

Japanese automaker Suzuki has finally entered the EV space with its new eVitara pictured.

Japanese automaker Suzuki has finally entered the electric vehicle (EV) space after debuting its new Suzuki eVitara this week. The S-badge’s first EV SUV is in fact the production version of the Suzuki eVX Concept shown prior.

Sitting some 4,275 MM long with a 2,700 MM wheelbase, 1,800 MM wide and 1,635 MM tall with a 180 MM ground clearance to boot, the eVitara is also set to offer some off-road driving abilities to boot. Adding to that fact is the option for either front (FWD) or four-wheel-drive (4WD) too.

The eVitara is essentially the production version of he Suzuki eVX Concept shown prior.

The eVitara also sees two battery capacities available – 49 kWh and 61 kWh. As for heft, the smaller battery variant sees a 1,702 KG kerb weight figure whilst the variant with the larger battery capacity equipped with 4WD has a heavier 1,899 KG kerb weight figure instead.

Notably, the eVitara is also constructed atop of a lightweight structure designed with protection for its high-voltage components. The latter led to the main floor doing without underfloor members to maximise battery capacity.

Two battery options, as well as two driveline choices, will be offered across three trimlines.

The base eVitara variant with the smaller 49 kWh battery pack adopts a front-mounted e-motor rated at 144 PS (106 kW) and 189 NM. This variant also sees a FWD setup only. Slotted above which is a mid-specced guise packing the larger 61 kWh battery option with FWD gets a slightly peppier e-motor boasting 174 PS (128 kW) too instead.

Capping things off is a range-topping 4WD variant. This guise pairs the larger larger battery mentioned with a 65 PS (48 kW) rear axle motor added into its package. Combined, said 4WD range-topper outputs 184 PS (135 kW) and 300 NM in total.

Suzuki did not detail the eVitara's specifications in great length, but it is expected to offer similar levels of tech - semi-autonomous driving abilities included - as the bulk of its contemporaries.

At the time of writing, Suzuki has yet to reveal data revolving this EV SUV's charging speeds. Instead, the marque shared its aims is for the eVitara in yielding up to 400 KM range and accept DC fast-charging inputs as high as 150 kW.

Following this debut, the Suzuki eVitara is set to enter markets such as Europe, India and Japan as early as summer next year. It will be manufactured in India at the Suzuki Motor Gujarat plant.

Whilst Suzuki has planned to produce more EV models, its president Toshihiro Suzuki has not set a date for when the marque will release a follow up EV to the eVitara. The exec also did not confirm if Suzuki is set to continue pursuing its initial target of launching five EVs by 2030.

Beyond the eVitara, Suzuki seems uncertain to produce another EV offering just yet. It's also unclear if it remains committed to its initial aim of launching five EV models by 2030.

“We are in a very difficult situation at this moment as the sales of BEVs are slowing down,” said Suzuki, adding that affordable and cheap rivals from China entering market have made it difficult for the S-badge to introduce further EV models.

“Looking at the current situation, the government incentives for BEVs are going out and, [coupled] with Chinese EVs that have very strong [segment] competitiveness, you have to think carefully about what type of BEV should be introduced to the market and in what time,” adds Suzuki further.