2023 Suzuki Vitara Review: A hybrid too far?

Suzuki will happily tell anyone who'll listen that 100% of the cars it sells today are hybrids. However, while that's technically true, it's also ever so slightly misleading. You see, the word 'hybrid' can cover many different things when it comes to electrification technology, and with many of the firm's models - the Vitara included - the hybrids in question have been mild hybrids, in which the electrical assistance is very minimal indeed, and efficiency gains are minuscule.

Now, however, Suzuki has seen to that by releasing a full hybrid version of the Vitara, imaginatively titled, ahem, 'the Suzuki Vitara Full Hybrid'. It pairs an electric motor with a naturally aspirated 1.5-litre petrol engine to give a combined 115 horsepower, delivered by an automated manual gearbox, which means it operates like an automatic.

So, is this Vitara worth the extra £1800 it costs over and above the mild hybrid? It's hard to see how you'd justify the extra cost of the full hybrid when it's slower (0-62mph takes almost 13 seconds compared to the mild hybrid's 10 seconds) and it returns roughly the same fuel economy (45-50mpg).

In this CarGurus UK video review, Rebecca Jackson sees if the Vitara Full Hybrid has anything more to offer than simply the numbers, and she gives the car the full shakedown on quality, technology, practicality, affordability and what it's like to drive.

Pros
Good to drive, and comfortable too
Lively 1.4-litre engine
Lots of space inside

Cons
Disappointing interior quality
1.0-litre model is quite slow
Vague steering

Let CarGurus help you find your next car:

▬ Contents of this video ▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬
00:00 – Introducing the Suzuki Vitara
02:00 – Practicality
02:39 – In the back
02:54 – Up front
04:26 – What is it like to drive
07:24 – Final Thoughts
08:03 – Let us know what you think

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#cargurusuk #suzukivitara #vitara2022

[skyall]

I have 1.4 mild hybrid allgrip. It is light, fun, fast and great in snow. I would not replace it with non awd car, ever. And I like design.

[brianduffy]

Have a full hybrid allgrip, use it full off road, and drivin in deep snow and its never stuck, I very happy with it

[David-wfhr]

Agreed, I didn't even want the mild hybrid so I bought one of the last non-hybrids and the full hybrid is a step backwards. I'm keeping my 2020 1.4T non hybrid vitara for a long time

[billholmes]

I shall be keeping my 2018 allgrip. Great little car, the dealer I bought it from often texts me to trade it in for a new model but that will not be happening after watching this review. Fantastic in the snow with winter tyres and because it’s cheap I don’t mind where I take it.

[GreatRedGeneral]

I have the 2023 vitara mild hybrid and i really like it. It has a good engine really fast for me gets going with a light tap the hybrid has a small battery so the boot is spacious. It is not too luxurious but it has a lot of automation clima safety systems large responsive screen and good sound proofing . Overall it makes for a very comfortable ride and if you fit it with some good tires you can do a little bit of off roading without issue. I really like it and for the money 23000 euros approximately i cant think of something better new.

[davidcoombs-qq]

I have driven the All Grip (which I own) and the 2WD and you will notice the difference between the two in normal driving. If pulling out of a roundabout or junction, the 2WD will scrabble with its front wheels, the All Grip will pull out like a legend. I love my All Grip.

[adn_guizar]

Nice review, as always, Rebecca. Mild hybrid seems the way to go. God, how I dream of a new version of Top Gear with you, Mat Watson, Chris Harris and Rory Reid...

[TL-xwfh]

Just seems like Suzuki is trying too hard with this hybrid version. They should have given it a more powerful engine and that will negate most of the disadvantages.

[steven.ghodgson]

I have run Suzukis for over 25 years, loved the Grand Vitaras and now have a 2015 S Cross CVT not interested in change for the same car with an additonal battery ! I have told my dealer why I do not visit him every 3 years - great shame.

[lesleybarclay]

The 2016 1.6 Allgrip beats the lot, ave 53 mpg manual, great car!.

[alexanderstefanov]

At least they stopped calling it a strong hybrid

[steviec]

Does the car roll back like the Citroen does? Because of the manual gearbox/auto gear changer?

[mendistudio]

This is a car that looks especially good in black and at night.

[bondjamesbond]

These are a no nonsense SUV that will long-term be more reliable than much of the competition. The non hybrid 1.4 boosterjet version was a better car though

[redgate]

i believe this is the toyota 1.5L right? Not a fan of the gearbox though, prefer the 6 speed torque converter auto...

[musoseven]

Disappointing - shame as previous incarnations have been very good, especially the sport.

Although confusing, I think that Suzuki's continuous improvement and softly approach is better than, Eg Honda's jump in both feet first EV strategy.

The way EVs are being sold to us - even as someone who's championed the environment for nearly 40 years - makes me want to buy a 7 litre V8, please read on.

New cars are deliberately over priced and the current economic climate, which is a recession/depression in all but name (PsyOp), may start to really struggle this year. EVs are certainly at debt inducing levels. Plus they don't work as advertised and I know of several who have returned theirs or sold them on quickly as they're not practical.

Also no one ever mentions how unreliable EVs are or how dirty AND dangerous the lithium supply chain is, nor how few lithium batteries are and can be recycled. Then there's the explosions and fires, yes they're still happening (often not reported by the MSM). And when a battery is life expired (or dying a death, which is a real chore to live with) the vehicle, even if serviceable, economically, is the a write off when the battery is expired.

No one ever mentions that out of over over 3500 academic papers on carbon climate change, there's no conclusion or consensus that this type of climate change is a reality! So why is data being skewed? Terraforoming of the planet for alien overlords to rise up? Maybe, but greed, profit and control are the key drivers for big business and certain super elites (you know the ones, they jet everywhere, places like Davos et al). True there is climate change and we need cleaner air. But there's a lot more that could be done with exhaust filtration if manufacturers were of a mind and hadnt lied about previous diesel ranges (I'm not including Suzuki in that category btw, but we know the big European and US culprits).

Lithium and other rare earth materials are not the way to go and the headlong rush to such? The emperor's new clothes!

[AM-ztxe]

What is the production time like for one at the moment?

[BobMartinsback]

So, substantially less boot space than a non-SUV hatchback like the latest Skoda Fabia. And where do I put the spare wheel? As someone who would simply not drive a car without a spare wheel, that's a deal breaker.

[bernatboschfolch]

I have a 2007 2.0 luxury edition Grand Vitara in perfect condition and I feel I have a better car than this one is. This is like a toy for kids next to the 2007 one. And also it seems to me they nowadays give you less car for the same money. In brief, it seems to me over the last decade car builders have gone to a less value for money standards. I guesss the political decisions made in the EU and USA about switching car industry to electric technology has meant bigger I&D expenses for the car builders and this has forced them to reduce the amount of car they can serve for the clients money. I recommend to buy a good car from early 2000s at the second hand market in good condition than to buy the "same" car in a new version. You will get a better car for much less money.

[ttmadness]

You think they would at least update the info system. It hasnt changed since 2015.