With EVs picking up pace in India, Maruti Suzuki needs an electric car to protect its market share, and for Europe, it needs an EV to balance its average fleet emissions. Despite having fuel-efficient small cars, the absence of an EV meant Suzuki failed to meet tightening European norms and had to discontinue sales of the Jimny. So, Suzuki’s first EV, the e Vitara, is a strategically important one.
Suzuki e Vitara Exterior Design and Engineering – 7/10
Bears a Suzuki resemblance, but it looks handsome and unique with a sharp and muscular style.The e Vitara will be exclusively made in India for all global markets, and the company says it’s been built on an all-new EV platform that it calls Heartect-e. There are traits, though, that indicate ICE platform roots. In the 2-wheel-drive format (it has AWD, too), the primary motor is at the front. Typically, born electrics prefer locating the main/sole motor at the rear to lower the massive torque load on the front steering wheels. Rear mounting also means there is less mass to manage in a crash and space for a frunk, which the e Vitara lacks. Either way, there’s massive engineering at play, and what’s nice is that it does not share its top hat with any other Suzuki model.
The Heartect-e platform emphasizes lightweight construction with high-tensile steel for better rigidity and crash safety, while optimizing battery placement for a low center of gravity. Aerodynamics play a big role too, with a drag coefficient that’s competitive in the segment, thanks to sculpted lines, active grille shutters, and 18-inch aero-optimized alloy wheels. The polyhedral muscular stance gives it a bold, futuristic front fascia dominated by slim NEXTrè 3-Point Matrix LED DRLs that cascade into the headlamps, creating a signature “Suzuki gaze.” Around the sides, flared wheel arches and character lines add to the athletic profile, while the rear features interconnected LED taillamps that wrap around for a modern touch.
It’s not revolutionary like some pure-EV designs from Tesla or Hyundai, but for Suzuki, it’s a confident step up—rugged enough for light off-roading in AWD guise, yet sleek for urban efficiency. The 7/10 reflects its evolutionary charm: familiar yet fresh, without the wow factor of more radical rivals.
Interior Comfort and Tech – 8/10
Step inside, and the e Vitara sheds any notions of Suzuki’s budget roots. The cabin is a spacious haven, courtesy of the long wheelbase on the Heartect-e platform, offering class-leading rear legroom and headroom. Materials feel premium—soft-touch plastics, leatherette upholstery (vegan in top trims), and metallic accents—while the ambient lighting in multiple colors sets a lounge-like mood after dark.
The dashboard is driver-focused with a twin-deck floating console housing the shift-by-wire selector, a wireless charger, and climate controls. At the heart is a 10.1-inch touchscreen infotainment system running Suzuki’s latest OS, supporting wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Below it, a 26.04 cm multi-information display provides crisp digital gauges, including EV-specific readouts like energy flow and regen levels.
Rear passengers get reclining seats (up to 20 degrees) in a 40:20:40 split-folding setup, with flexible boot space expanding from 400 liters to over 1,000 with seats down. Ventilated front seats and a panoramic sunroof add luxury touches. It’s not quite Audi-level opulence, but the thoughtful ergonomics and quiet cabin (thanks to acoustic glass) earn it an 8/10. Families will love the practicality, and tech-savvy users will appreciate the seamless integration.
Powertrain, Performance, and Driving Impressions – 8/10
Under the skin, the e Vitara offers two battery options to suit different needs: a 49 kWh pack for the base FWD model and a larger 61 kWh for higher trims, including the AWD variant with a secondary rear motor. Power outputs range from 142 hp and 192 Nm in the entry-level setup to 201 hp and 293 Nm in the top AWD, with 0-100 km/h sprints in as quick as 7.5 seconds.
We drove the mid-spec FWD with the 61 kWh battery on the winding UK roads around the Cotswolds, and it’s a revelation for Suzuki. Acceleration is punchy and linear, with instant torque making overtakes effortless. The single-pedal driving mode via regenerative braking is tunable, allowing for coasting or aggressive energy recapture. Ride quality is composed over bumps, thanks to the low-slung battery lowering the center of gravity, though the front-motor setup does introduce a bit of torque steer under hard acceleration—nothing deal-breaking.
In AWD mode (demoed briefly on a wet track), it grips like a champ, distributing power seamlessly for confident handling. Efficiency hovered around 4.5 km/kWh in mixed driving, promising real-world ranges of 450-500 km for the larger battery (claimed 550 km WLTP). It’s not the sportiest in class—that crown goes to the Hyundai Creta Electric—but the balanced dynamics and serene EV hush make it an 8/10 daily driver. Quiet, composed, and surprisingly fun.
Battery, Charging, and Range
The star of the show is the high-capacity lithium-ion battery pack, comprising 120 cells that operate reliably from -30°C to 60°C—crucial for India’s diverse climates. It’s IP67-rated for water and dust resistance, with liquid cooling to maintain performance during fast charges.Charging is straightforward: a standard 11 kW AC wallbox tops up the 61 kWh pack in under 6 hours, while DC fast charging (up to 50 kW) hits 20-80% in 30 minutes. Suzuki Connect app integration lets owners schedule charges during off-peak hours, monitor status via smartwatch, and navigate to the nearest station with real-time availability.For India, expect a home charger installation program and tie-ups with expanding networks like Tata Power and BPCL. Range anxiety? Minimal, especially with the e Vitara’s efficient aero design and lightweight build.
Pricing, Rivals, and Verdict
In India, the e Vitara is expected to start at around ₹17 lakh for the base FWD, climbing to ₹22.5 lakh for the AWD topper—positioning it squarely against the Hyundai Creta Electric (₹18-24 lakh) and Tata Curvv EV (₹17-22 lakh). Globally, it’s priced competitively in the UK at £30,000-£38,000 (about ₹32-40 lakh), undercutting many Europeans.
Safety is bolstered by Level 2 ADAS (adaptive cruise, lane keep, auto emergency braking), six airbags, and a 360-degree camera. It aces global NCAP tests, we hear. Overall Rating: 8/10The e Vitara isn’t just Suzuki’s EV lifeline—it’s a credible contender that blends Japanese reliability with electric zest. For Indian buyers eyeing the Creta Electric, it offers better space, sharper pricing, and that Maruti service network. Arriving in December, it’ll electrify the midsize SUV segment. If you’re ready to go green without compromise, this is your Vitara—evolved.
