The Suzuki Vitara has swapped its turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engine for a new 48V mild-hybrid turbo-petrol powertrain.

The updated small SUV lineup is now available to order, priced from $38,990 before on-road costs, or $39,990 drive-away.

As with the smaller mild-hybrid Swift hatch and Fronx light SUV, Suzuki is marketing this new electrified model as a ‘Hybrid’.

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While it can’t run on pure electric power like full hybrids, the Vitara Hybrid features an electric motor and a lithium-ion battery which help assist with acceleration, thereby reducing fuel consumption and emissions. Energy is also recovered during braking and stored in the battery.

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With fuel consumption of 5.8L/100km, or 5.9L/100km with all-wheel drive, the Vitara Hybrid is scarcely more efficient than its turbocharged predecessor which used 5.9L/100km in front-wheel drive guise and 6.2L/100km with all-wheel drive.

There’s been a drop in power output, though – from 110kW to 81kW, though peak torque is up from 220Nm to 235Nm – while pricing is up. The outgoing Vitara Turbo started at $36,490 drive-away, and the Vitara Turbo Allgrip was priced at $41,490 drive-away.

The Vitara Hybrid won’t be offered in Queensland or the Northern Rivers region of New South Wales, where Suzuki Auto Co handles distribution of the Japanese small-car brand.

The Sunshine State distributor has opted not to import the model – despite Suzuki Australia offering it elsewhere around the nation – leaving Suzuki Queensland with just three models in the Swift, Fronx and Jimny.

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The current Vitara entered production in 2015, making it the oldest member of Suzuki’s local lineup and, following the replacement of the long-running Mitsubishi ASX, the oldest model in the small SUV segment.

It’s been a long wait for the Vitara Hybrid. Suzuki Australia has been speaking of bringing an electrified Vitara here since 2024.

The Vitara Hybrid isn’t to be confused with the now-defunct Vitara Full Hybrid. This conventional hybrid offered in Europe uses a naturally aspirated 1.5-litre petrol engine mated with a six-speed automated manual transmission.

Pricing

Drivetrains and Efficiency

Dimensions

Servicing and Warranty

The Suzuki Vitara is backed by a five-year, unlimited-kilometre warranty.

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Servicing is required every 12 months or 10,000km, whichever comes first, with Suzuki offering five years of capped-price servicing.

Safety

The Suzuki Vitara no longer has a rating from independent safety authority ANCAP, as its previous five-star rating from 2015 has now expired.

Standard safety equipment includes:

• Adaptive cruise control
• Autonomous emergency braking
• Blind-spot monitoring
• Lane-keep assist
• Rear cross-traffic alert
• Reversing camera
• Traffic sign recognition
• 6 airbags (front, front-side, curtain and driver’s knee)

The Vitara Turbo Allgrip AWD adds:

• Front and rear parking sensors

Standard Equipment

There are just two trim grades in the Vitara Hybrid lineup.

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The Suzuki Vitara Turbo Hybrid comes standard with the following equipment:

• 17-inch alloy wheels in 215/55 R17 tyres
• Space-saver spare
• Automatic LED headlights
• Automatic high-beam
• 7.0-inch touchscreen infotainment system
• Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
• Fabric upholstery
• Leather-wrapped steering wheel
• Tilt and telescopic steering wheel adjustment
• Paddle shifters
• Air-conditioning
• 4-speaker sound system
• Auto-dimming internal rear-view mirror

The Vitara Turbo Hybrid Allgrip adds:

• 17-inch polished alloy wheels
• Panoramic sunroof
• ‘Premium design elements’
• Rear privacy glass
• Power-folding exterior mirrors
• 6-speaker sound system
• 9.0-inch touchscreen infotainment system
• Satellite navigation
• Selectable drive modes
• Leatherette upholstery

Colours

Supplied Credit: CarExpert

Supplied Credit: CarExpert

Supplied Credit: CarExpert

Supplied Credit: CarExpert

Supplied Credit: CarExpert

The Suzuki Vitara comes standard with white paint, with the following available for an additional $745:

• Titan Dark Grey Pearl Metallic
• Cosmic Black Pearl Metallic (excludes Allgrip)

The following two-tone finishes are available for $1345 on the Allgrip:

• Savanna Ivory Metallic + Cosmic Black Pearl
• Ice Greyish Blue Metallic + Cosmic Black Pearl

MORE: Explore the Suzuki Vitara showroom