Suzuki partners with Toyota to launch its first electric vehicle: the E Vitara.
Another compact electric SUV that will not make it to the United States.
Suzuki and Toyota have been collaborating on the development of a new electric SUV with all-wheel drive capability. Recently, at an event in Italy, Suzuki unveiled the result of this partnership: the E Vitara, the brand's first electric vehicle. Production of this model is scheduled to begin at the Suzuki Motor Gujarat plant in India starting next spring.
The E Vitara is expected to reach markets in Europe, India, and Japan during the summer of next year. Additionally, there will be a version of this SUV under the Toyota brand, which will likely feature a design similar to the Urban SUV Concept that Toyota showcased in 2023. It is worth mentioning that Toyota has also shared its bZ4X EV model with Subaru, which is marketed as the Solterra EV.
Both companies, Suzuki and Toyota, have been slow to integrate electric vehicles into their offerings, with Toyota focusing on producing more hybrids and an electric three-row SUV for the U.S. market. According to reports, Suzuki has paused its goal of launching several electric vehicles by 2030, as its president, Toshihiro Suzuki, indicated that the company will observe the current situation due to a decrease in EV demand.
Regarding the E Vitara, this SUV will feature a lithium iron phosphate battery available in capacities of 49 kWh and 60 kWh. Both versions will be available with two-wheel drive, while the all-wheel drive versions will only be offered with the larger battery. According to reports, the E Vitara can reach up to 400 km (approximately 248 miles) on a single charge.
The E Vitara's motor will be able to reach a maximum power of 135 kW, which is relatively low compared to the 150 kW of the Chevy Bolt, which is only 130 mm shorter than the E Vitara’s 4,275 mm. So far, no prices for the E Vitara have been announced, and similar to Hyundai's Inster model, its launch in the U.S. market is not planned.