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Motoring

Vitara an AWD game-changer in electric SUVs

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Suzuki e-Vitara Ultra ALLGRIP

By Bill McCarthy

The Vitara has been a British motoring staple for years. But the leap from the 2020 mild-hybrid to the new all-electric e Vitara is about more than just swapping powertrains. It’s a clear illustration of a traditional manufacturer grappling with the shift away from combustion engines.

First Impressions

When Suzuki introduced the 48V hybrid in 2020, it was celebrating 50 years of four-wheel-drive heritage. Fast forward and the landscape has changed with the e Vitara, Suzuki’s first dedicated EV, entering the fray.
To this eye it has stunning road presence. Its distinct look stands apart from the same-old sameness of some electric vehicles.

Value and Practicality

Suzuki has always offered keen pricing and generous kit and with the e Vitara, buyers can choose between 49kWh and 61kWh battery packs in either Motion or Ultra trim. But the real headline-grabber is the new AllGrip-e system, which carves out a unique niche by offering genuine off-road capability that is almost unheard of in the small electric SUV segment. 

A dedicated “Trail” mode brakes slipping wheels and pushes torque to the wheels with grip, making it easy to drive out of challenging terrain.

Even the base Motion trim comes with a heat pump, adaptive cruise control, and a 10.1-inch touchscreen. Suzuki also backs this first EV with real confidence, offering a service-activated warranty that can extend to ten years or 100,000 miles.

Overall design

Suzuki has taken that classic, boxy shape and given it a really modern look. The front end looks sharp and aggressive thanks to those three-point LED lights, and the clean grille keeps it looking sophisticated.

I also like the detailing along the sides—the chunky matte-black cladding suggest durability and ruggedness, but those sharp body lines pull it right into the present day. It’s a design that feels tough, but contemporary.

The cabin represents a significant step forward, in my view, Suzuki’s best effort to date. Material quality is a mixed bag, blending high-quality soft-touch surfaces with some harder plastics. Technology revolves around a 10.25-inch driver display and a 10.1-inch touchscreen.

Crucially, Suzuki has retained robust physical controls for core functionswhich are a welcome ergonomic choice that aligns with new Euro NCAP protocols aimed at reducing driver distraction.
While the system’s graphics are clear, the interface can feel fiddly when in motion, with the navigation occasionally suffering from lag under the weight of the technology.


Design highlights include a floating centre console and customisable ambient lighting. Practicality is strong in the cabin, with sliding and reclining 60:40 split rear seats. However, boot capacity is compromised on all-wheel-drive variants, dropping to just 244 litres. This can be increased to 310 litres by pushing the seats forward and folding them completely delivers a maximum of 562 litres.

On the road

Behind the wheel, the e Vitara feels composed and stable. The high driving position provides excellent visibility. Acceleration is brisk, with a 0-60mph time of 7.4 seconds that feels quicker than the figure suggests.
On country roads, it handles itself well, though there’s a hint of body lean through corners.

The steering is well-weighted and responsive, making it feel stable at higher speeds, yet highly manoeuvrable in town, and the suspension delivers a comfortable ride, while doing a decent job of absorbing potholes.

The real stumbling block, however, is range. The 61kWh front-wheel-drive version boasts a WLTP figure of 264 miles. My all-wheel-drive test car’s official WLTP figure drops to around 250 miles – a figure I failed to get anywhere near.

The display consistently showed an average of 2.8 miles per kWh, translating to a real-world range of approximately 170 miles. The cold, wet weather and at times, horrible traffic conditions didn’t help, but key competitors manage these conditions better. Charging is also relatively slow; a rapid charger takes around 40 minutes to reach 80 per cent.

Safety

The e Vitara comes with a high level of safety features as standard. This includes Dual Sensor Brake Support, Rear Crossing Traffic Alert, Lane Keep Assist, Blind Spot Monitor, and Adaptive Cruise Control.

Verdict

With its eye-catching styling, bulletproof reliability, and genuine off-road ability in a class dominated by two-wheel-drive models, the Suzuki e Vitara has a lot to offer – especially with its sensible warranty. The trade-off is that limited real-world range and slower charging speeds may leave you with range anxiety on longer trips.

Factfile

  • Suzuki e-Vitara Ultra ALLGRIP
  • Price: £37,799
  • Mechanical: 181bhp, 61kWh battery with twin electric motors driving all wheels via automatic transmission
  • Max Speed: 93mph
  • 0-62mph: 7.4 seconds
  • Combined MPG: 245 (WLTP)
  • Insurance Group: 28A
  • C02 emissions: 0g/km
  • Bik rating: 3%
  • Warranty: 3yrs/62,000 miles (up to 10 years if serviced yearly by a Suzuki dealer)

BYD, Electric/hybrid, Motoring

Sealion a PHEV for the price of a petrol SUV

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BYD SEALION 5 DM-i

By Bill McCarthy

Having overtaken Tesla as the world’s largest EV maker, Chinese giant BYD is raising the stakes yet again. Originally a tech company BYD (Build Your Dreams) was founded in 1995 as a battery manufacturer and has expanded its ‘blade’ battery technology into automotive, electronics, renewable energy, and rail transit. 

Its latest vehicle, the SEALION 5 DM-i has been launched with a price tag of under £30,000 on the road, and has thrown down the gauntlet in the mid-size SUV market.

Sleek profile

At just under five metres long, both versions – Comfort and Design – feature a plug-in hybrid (PHEV) system as standard, pairing a 1.5-litre petrol engine with an electric motor for a combined maximum output of 215bhp.

Like its siblings, this model has a striking profile with the signature so-called “Dragon Face” design, featuring full-LED headlights and slim daytime-running lights. At the rear, a full-width LED light bar and sharply angled tail-lights, combined with an integrated spoiler, enhance the sporty look. The car is equipped with striking 18-inch bi-colour alloy wheels.

Interior and technology

The interior has an upmarket feel with vegan leather upholstery, and powered and heated front seats. Head and legroom are good, and the cabin is spacious enough to easily accommodate a family of five in comfort. Central is the stylish centre console that houses the gearshift and other controls, and offers generous storage space underneath.

This is supplemented by a 12.8-inch rotating multi-touch touchscreen and complemented by a clear 8.8-inch full-LCD instrument cluster offering the driver real-time information. 

The rotating touchscreen controls infotainment, navigation and connectivity via built-in 4G and BYD cloud services. Intelligent voice control, activated by saying “Hi, BYD,” offers extra safety while driving. An added bonus is its Vehicle-to-Load function, which lets you use the car as a giant power bank for everything from camping to powering a coffee maker.

Practicality

A large boot provides a substantial 463-litre capacity, easily accommodating luggage. The 40:60-split folding rear seats can expand this space to a generous 1,410 litres, featuring a flat load floor for easy loading of bulky items.

Spec levels and value

The entry-level Comfort model starts at £29,995, undercutting most rivals while featuring plenty of standard kit. This includes smartphone integration, a rear-view camera, automatic LED lights, and power-folding heated mirrors. It feels like a top-spec car.

However, the £32,995 Design trim adds puddle lights, a powered tailgate, a 360-degree camera, front parking sensors, and wireless charging. It hits the sweet spot for those who love their bells and whistles.

This SUV offers the growing necessity of electric power and the readiness of a petrol car, all in one powertrain. It not only undercuts rival petrol SUVs on price but also comes better equipped and should lower running costs.

Powertrain and performance

Power is drawn from a choice of two battery packs. The Comfort model has a 12.96 kWh unit for up to 38 miles of electric-only driving. The Design trim features a larger 18.3 kWh battery, extending the electric range to over 53 miles and contributing to a WLTP-rated fuel economy of 134.5 mpg and combined CO2 emissions of 48g/km. It is heavier, and as a result, acceleration to 60 mph is over eight seconds.

BYD says that with a full charge and tank, both versions offer a total range of up to 631 miles.

The driving experience is smooth, with the power unit delivering plenty of pace. It becomes notably more raucous when flooring the accelerator, but never uncomfortably so. It handles well, as an extended drive from the M54 in Shropshire into the rolling hills and twisting roads of mid-Wales demonstrated.

Its stability and agility handled both sweeping and tight curves with aplomb, always feeling well-planted. The steering also offered plenty of feedback, allowing you to push it while understanding the limits.

Safety

Comprehensive measures include adaptive and intelligent cruise control, lane-keeping and departure functions, blind spot and collision warnings, speed limit control, traffic sign recognition, and automatic emergency braking. For occupant safety, it comes with seven airbags

Verdict

The SEALION 5 delivers a balance of comfort, efficiency, and everyday usability. Its firm yet comfortable ride makes it easy to live with, and it is ideal for families who want one sensible, practical vehicle.