The current Suzuki Vitara is gaining a hybrid powertrain next year, when the unrelated but similarly named electric e-Vitara will join the Japanese small car brand’s local lineup.
Both small crossover SUVs are due in Australia during the first quarter of 2026.
The e-Vitara will be Suzuki’s first electric vehicle (EV) in Australia, but for now the brand isn’t publishing pricing or specification details.
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Revealed in November 2024, the e-Vitara is built on the Heartect-e platform developed in collaboration with Daihatsu and Toyota.
Depending on the market, it’ll be offered in a choice of single-motor front-wheel drive configurations: one with a 49kWh battery and a 106kW/189Nm electric motor, the other with a 61kWh battery and outputs of 128kW and 189Nm.
There’s also a dual-motor all-wheel drive variant that gains a 48kW rear motor, bumping total outputs up to 135kW and 300Nm. It’s offered with the larger of the two batteries.
All-wheel drive variants feature a Trail mode that’s said to offer the functionality of a limited-slip differential.
The e-Vitara measures 100mm longer, 25mm wider and 25mm taller than the combustion-powered Vitara, riding a 200mm longer wheelbase. It weighs between 1702kg and 1899kg.
It will serve as a rival to the likes of the Chery E5, Hyundai Kona Electric, Jeep Avenger, and Kia EV3.
The Vitara Hybrid was originally confirmed for a late 2024 launch in Australia back in early 2024, but has been the subject of delays.
Suzuki subsequently revealed a facelift for the Hungarian-built Vitara in April 2024, bringing upgrades to its suite of active safety and driver assist technology, as well as a larger 9.0-inch infotainment touchscreen and a refreshed front fascia.
The Vitara is offered in Europe with a choice of two powertrains, both offered with either front- or all-wheel drive.
A 1.4-litre four-cylinder engine with a 48V mild-hybrid system opens the range, producing 95kW of power and 235Nm of torque.
Optional is a 1.5-litre four-cylinder hybrid with 75kW and 138Nm, mated with a 24.6kW/60Nm electric motor, a 140V lithium-ion battery, and a six-speed automated manual transmission.
Arriving before the e-Vitara and Vitara Hybrid is the new Fronx light crossover SUV (pictured below), which goes on sale nationwide on September 1, 2025.
Suzuki says this Fronx – short for ‘Frontier Crossover’ – will solidify its presence in the light SUV segment and “open the doors to younger buyers looking to upgrade from a smaller hatchback to an SUV”.
Revealed in January 2023, the Fronx measures 3995mm long, which slots it between the pint-size Ignis (which is in runout mode) and the Vitara.
Production of the petrol-powered Vitara and Ignis ended for Australia earlier this year, along with the S-Cross and Swift Sport.
The Ignis and Swift Sport were at the end of their life cycles, but the others live on in other markets.
Production ended due to these vehicles – along with the three-door Jimny off-roader – lacking autonomous emergency braking (AEB) systems that meet performance standards mandated in Australia from March 1, 2025.
Suzuki Australia confirmed in February it had enough stock of the aforementioned vehicles to last into 2025.
We’ve contacted Suzuki Australia to confirm how much stock is left of these.