Suzuki Vitara Strong Hybrid: more hybrid, more efficient

As part of the Andalucía Sunshine Tour 2022, the most important show jumping competition held in southern Europe, and an event sponsored by Suzuki, the Japanese brand presented us with its new hybrid vehicles. Among them, the new Suzuki Vitara Strong Hybrid, alongside the new generation of the Suzuki S-Cross.

Since we already carried out the Suzuki S-Cross road test at the time of its national launch, covering all its novelties in detail, the range, prices, discounts and the operation of its Mild Hybrid propulsion system, we will now focus on the new self-charging Suzuki Vitara hybrid, which the brand calls the Vitara Strong Hybrid. A propulsion system that makes the Vitara hybrid the most efficient in the range, and which we will soon see on the S-Cross as well.

The Vitara range therefore now offers two mechanical versions to choose from, both with DGT ECO label.

Two propulsion systems for the Vitara: MHEV and HEV

The 1.4 Boosterjet MHEV or Mild Hybrid, with light hybridisation, has been available since the launch of the new Vitara. It uses the K14D turbo petrol engine of 1,373 cc and 129 CV, and a 13.6 CV electric motor-generator that acts as the starter motor, assists the combustion engine during acceleration and recovers energy during braking. In this case the battery has a capacity of 0.4 kWh and is located under the right front seat.

For its part, the new Vitara “Strong Hybrid” is a full hybrid in which the naturally aspirated petrol engine is the K15C, with 1,462 cc and 102 CV, coupled to a 33.4 CV electric motor, for a system power of 115 CV. The battery has a little more than twice the capacity of the MHEV and is placed at the rear, slightly reducing boot capacity. As with other hybrids, and unlike the MHEV, in this case the electric motor can propel the vehicle on its own in certain driving situations. In both cases you can choose between 4×2 or 4×4 traction.

Apart from the price, which we will now analyse, one feature that may be decisive when choosing between one version or the other is that the MHEV is only offered with a six-speed manual gearbox, while on the Strong Hybrid the automatic gearbox is standard. Performance is slightly better on the MHEV, but the Strong Hybrid is more pleasant to drive, uses less fuel -especially in town- and its consumption is not as sensitive to driving pace, and it loses very little boot capacity: from 642 to 569 litres. In both cases the petrol tank holds 47 litres.

Range and prices of the Suzuki Vitara Hybrid

These are the prices of the new Suzuki Vitara Strong Hybrid, including the promotional discount, which is around 2,700 euros. At these prices you could still deduct another 1,455 euros by financing the purchase through the brand.

• Vitara Strong Hybrid GLE 2WD: €27,825
• Vitara Strong Hybrid GLX 2WD: €30,160
• Vitara Strong Hybrid GLE 4WD: €29,695
• Vitara Strong Hybrid GLX 4WD: €32,030

The comparison with the Vitara MHEV, also available in GLE and GLX versions, is inevitable when talking about prices too, and tells us that the full hybrid costs around 3,500 euros more than the MHEV. The equipment on the GLE is already very complete, so there is no need to opt for the GLX. The difference between a GLX and a GLE is that the better-equipped one adds polished alloy wheels, mirrors with integrated indicators, keyless start button, satellite navigation, upholstery with leather inserts and parking sensors, among other features.

What does the new hybrid Vitara offer?

Well, to start with, the aforementioned six-speed automatic gearbox as standard, with the option of manual control via steering wheel paddles, which provides great comfort and ease of driving. Consider that this type of gearbox already carries an extra cost of around 2,000 euros, and that on the MHEV you do not have this option.

On the other hand, although the MHEV version is slightly faster, the Vitara HEV does not suffer in performance despite its higher power, because the electric motor has more power and thrust and is a perfect complement to the combustion engine. The response is very smooth, providing a remarkable driving pleasure.

In addition to starting off in electric mode and being able to move the car at low speed or during manoeuvres, when driving on the motorway you will find that in many situations, in “ECO” mode and with the gearbox in “D”, when you lift off the accelerator and accelerate again very lightly, the car can run for quite a while in fully electric mode, depending on the battery charge at that moment.

And although the official homologated consumption in the combined cycle is barely a tenth lower on the full hybrid (5.3 l/100 km for the 4×2 and 5.8 for the 4×4, compared with 5.4 and 5.9 for the MHEV, respectively), in real use that difference will easily be around 1.5 l/100 km in favour of the full hybrid, the more so the more kilometres you drive in town.

Together with comfortable suspension, a functional and spacious cabin that is well insulated against noise, and a chassis that allows the Vitara to stand out from the rest of the SUVs when it comes to leaving the tarmac without compromising handling or comfort on the road, this new Vitara hybrid is an option well worth considering. Moreover, in this category, the only rival to the Vitara that can also combine a full hybrid propulsion system with all-wheel drive is the Toyota Yaris Cross.

In the case of the Vitara, the extra cost of AllGrip traction is 1,800 euros. And during this first contact we were able to see what the Vitara 4×4 is capable of with summer tyres in conditions where we would have bet against it without hesitation. Under torrential rain, which left the tracks completely waterlogged, the Vitara with the driving mode selector set to the “Snow” programme (it also has an “Auto” and a “Sport” mode) and with the centre differential locked gripped very well and got through very slippery sections with astonishing ease.

Bearing in mind that for what a Vitara Strong Hybrid 4×2 costs, you can get the Vitara MHEV 4×4 and still “save” around 1,600 euros, it is definitely worth thinking it over. Above all because the 1.4 Dualjet of the Vitara MHEV also performs very well and can be very economical. But what can I tell you, the Vitara Strong Hybrid won us over, and its greater technological content is worth the extra effort.

Suzuki Vitara Hybrid image gallery

Technical specifications of this car

Off-RoadSuzuki Vitara11 versions · from 27,925 €