Maruti Suzuki e-Vitara Electric SUV: All Wheel Drive Version Reviewed [Video]
After waiting on the sidelines for so long, Maruti Suzuki is finally going to launch its first electric offering, the e-Vitara, in India. This new electric SUV will be making its debut next month in May. Now, even though test drives of the new e-Vitara have not commenced in India, they have begun internationally. Recently, a video review of the prototype Suzuki e-Vitara has been shared online. In this video, the host gives her honest opinions on the e-Vitara.
This video of the Maruti Suzuki e-Vitara’s international review has been shared by Electrifying on their channel. It starts off with the host mentioning that the model she has received for testing is the all-wheel-drive variant of the Suzuki e-Vitara. Following this, she then asks the question as to why Suzuki did not opt for the Jimny to get an electric version and went ahead with the Vitara instead.
Soon after, the host goes to the rear section of the vehicle and opens a picture of the Toyota Urban Cruiser Electric SUV, which looks exactly the same from the rear. She then highlights that, as the e-Vitara and the Urban Cruiser Electric SUV share the same platform and design, the cost of development of this model was very low.
Soon after this, the host then starts to talk about the exterior design and off-road capabilities of the e-Vitara. She states that even though its ground clearance is 180 mm, the vehicle is not very tall and cannot take on extreme off-roading terrains. The host then adds that its AWD will help it in tackling a little bit of mud and snow on the roads. Apart from this, she mentions that the vehicle, from the outside, looks nice.
Interior design and utility
Following the exterior walkaround, the host then moves to the interior of the e-Vitara. She starts by stating that the electric SUV from Suzuki is offered with two interior upholstery colors. The green and white-colored e-Vitaras get the brown and black interior. Meanwhile, the red-colored car, which she is testing, only gets a fully blacked-out interior.
After this, she talks about the interior quality of the e-Vitara. She highlights that the vehicle gets a ton of plastics, which includes three different types. The host also adds that the vehicle, although it has a few nice design bits like vertical AC vents and a large touchscreen, has a few things which she does not like.
Of these, the first is that the dashboard is off-centered. She highlights this by showing the dashboard from the rear seat, and it can be noted that the dashboard and its parts do not line up with the center console. Apart from this, she also points out that the vehicle’s “connected” infotainment and digital instrument gauge cluster panel is not completely connected. Rather, it has a lot of blank space.
Driving experience
Finally, after showing all the other small details of the interior, the host then starts driving the Suzuki e-Vitara. She highlights that the vehicle is offered with two battery pack options — 49 kWh and 61 kWh. The base variant gets a 2WD layout and an electric motor making 144 bhp and 189 Nm of torque and will be able to do a sprint of 0–100 kmph in just 9.6 seconds.
Meanwhile, the 61 kWh battery pack variant with the 2WD layout will be able to reach from 0–100 kmph in just 8.7 seconds. Its power figures will be 174 bhp and 189 Nm of torque. Lastly, the top-of-the-line AWD variant gets a motor which will produce 184 bhp and 300 Nm of torque and do a sprint of 0–100 in just 7.4 seconds.
Following this, the host mentions that the ride of the e-Vitara in eco mode is decent. However, it is better in sports mode. Apart from this, she highlights that there is a lot of road noise from the tyres which filters into the cabin. She added that its rivals offer a better driving experience.
Finally, when she starts testing the regenerative system of the vehicle, she highlights that it cannot be changed while driving. The host mentions that the vehicle has to be stopped, and then the regeneration mode of low, medium, and high can be selected. Apart from these things, she added that the overall drive of the e-Vitara is decent and not extremely exciting.