First drive Positive
Lots of standard kit, fun to drive, reliable fuel economy
Negative
Old school AGS gearbox, reduced boot space
Suzuki Vitara Full Hybrid
Suzuki gives its Vitara the Full Hybrid treatment, but is it worth the upgrade over the mild hybrid? Richard Bush
Mild hybrid vehicles have flooded the market over the past five years or so, representing the first baby steps for many manufacturers moving towards a more eco-conscious, electrified line-up. Suzuki is a prime example of this, with all of its current range now being electrified to one extent or another.
Previously, Suzuki offered just two full hybrid models in its range – the Swace hybrid and the Across plug-in hybrid – with the rest of the range only offering a mild hybrid incentive. However, the Vitara SUV has now joined the full hybrid ranks, although some of its mild hybrid variants still remain.
Aptly named the Vitara Full Hybrid, this fresh entry comes fitted with a new naturally-aspirated 1.5-litre petrol engine, which sits alongside a 0.85kWh lithium ion battery and a 33hp electric motor, producing a combined 115hp. There’s a new transmission too – a six-speed AGS automated manual – but we’ll come back to that later.
It’s important to note that this new 1.5-litre full hybrid set-up replaces any existing mild hybrid autos in the Vitara range. However, six-speed manual mild hybrid models, fitted with Suzuki’s 1.4- litre Boosterjet turbo petrol, remain. On the road, this new Full Hybrid still feels like a nippy, no-nonsense Vitara. The sharp steering encourages enthusiastic driving, the cushy ride deals with uneven tarmac, and all-round visibility is great. The Full Hybrid is still available
with Suzuki’s Allgrip four-wheel drive system too, for those who live more agriculturally.
Suzuki has incorporated the new hybrid system fairly well. Although fully electric driving is still limited to extremely low- speeds, for very limited amounts of time, the switch between electric and petrol power is acceptable enough, once you get used to it. The main issue when it comes to petrol and electric integration is the aforementioned AGS automated manual gearbox.
This six-speed gearbox holds on to gears far too long and struggles to facilitate a seamless, low-speed, electric-to-petrol transition you get in something like the Suzuki Swace. What doesn’t help is that the 1.5-litre petrol lacks turbo oomph and sounds coarse when revved out – resulting in an overall unrefined experience, at least when at lower speeds.
Standard equipment: 17in alloy wheels, keyless entry/ start, double sliding panoramic sunroof, navigation system, automatic air conditioning.
Engines: Hybrid: 115hp 1.5
Equipment grades: SZ-T, SZ5
Transmissions: Six-speed automated manual gearbox
The only time this gearbox is not intrusive is when cruising at motorway speeds. The gearbox is by no means a disaster, it just makes the Vitara more akin to something like a diesel-powered pick- up than a petrol-powered hybrid. You’ll mostly feel the Full Hybrid’s fuel-saving benefits during urban journeys, where regenerative braking will help recoup its limited battery capacity, which will then nudge you along in stop-start traffic. On paper, Suzuki promises that this new 1.5-litre full hybrid model will leave you 3.5mpg and 8g/km better off, with bottom line figures of 121g/km and an average return of 53mpg. After a mix of urban and motorway driving, that 53mpg figure feels fairly realistic.
Inside, the Full Hybrid Vitara is virtually unchanged from the mild hybrid model, meaning you get a plastic-heavy, but hard- wearing build, and tons of kit thrown in as standard. There are two trims available with the Full Hybrid, SZ-T and SZ5. All models get a 7in touchscreen with Apple Carplay and Android Auto, a rear parking camera, and a generous serving of safety kit, which includes lane departure warning, blind spot monitoring and adaptive cruise control.
SZ5 adds a few notable niceties, like suede upholstery, rear parking sensors and a panoramic sunroof. This sunroof, however, does impact headroom in the rear slightly, so SZ5 is best avoided if you have particularly tall teenagers. Legroom remains impressive in the rear unless you’re stuck in the middle seat, where the far-reaching center console encroaches on
Data is from Kee Resources based on a three-year/60,000-mile cycle
7/10
Suzuki Vitara Full Hybrid SZ5
P11D £27,274 On sale now Residual value £10,144 Depreciation £17,130 Fuel £7,783 Service, maintenance and repair £2,168 Cost per mile 45.13p Fuel consumption 53mpg CO2 (BIK %)* 121g/km (29%) BIK 20/40% a month £132/£264 Luggage capacity 289 litres Engine size/power 1,497cc /115hp *from April 2022
knee room, and the transmission tunnel eats into foot space.
An aspect of the Vitara directly affected by the Full Hybrid variant is boot space. Due to the location of the battery pack, the Vitara Full Hybrid’s boot space stands at 289 litres, which is 86 litres less than the mild hybrid model’s 375-litre capacity. The boot remains practical however, with a low loading lip, wide opening and square layout.
Pricing for the new Full Hybrid starts from £25,499, which is £1,750 more than equivalent mild hybrid models. Considering the small potential for greater fuel economy and the disappointing gearbox, it’s difficult to recommend the Full Hybrid over its mild hybrid sibling. Aside from price and fuel economy, the mild hybrid offers a generally better driving experience, with a strong 1.4-litre engine and a much more seamless integration of electric power.
www.businesscar.co.uk | March 2022 | 37
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