Suzuki Evitara Review: Suzuki’s First All-Electric SUV
Suzuki is known worldwide for building small and affordable petrol cars like the Swift and the Ignis. But the company has never produced a fully electric car until now. The Suzuki Evitara is the brand’s first full EV, and it arrives as a compact electric SUV built in partnership with Toyota. With rivals like the Renault 4, Kia EV3 and Ford Puma Gen E already well established, this review looks at what the Evitara gets right and where it falls short.
Price and Variants
Suzuki is traditionally positioned at the affordable end of the market, and the Evitara tries to stay in that space.
Variant-wise overview
| Variant | Battery | Drive Type | Key Features |
|---|---|---|---|
| Motion (49 kWh) | 49 kWh | FWD | Adaptive cruise control, 18 inch alloys |
| Motion (61 kWh) | 61 kWh | FWD | Adds heated seats and heated steering wheel |
| Ultra (61 kWh) | 61 kWh | FWD / AWD | 19 inch alloys, electric driver seat, lumbar support, wireless charger |
Pricing summary
The starting price undercuts the Kia EV3.
Pricing is similar to the Ford Puma Gen E.
Ultra trim pushes the price up considerably.
The best value lies with the 61 kWh Motion trim.
Battery, Range and Charging
Suzuki offers the Evitara with two battery options. The larger pack makes the car far more competitive.
Battery options
49 kWh battery
Range: 213 miles
Performance: Adequate but not standout
61 kWh battery
Range: 264 miles
Similar to entry-level Kia EV3
61 kWh AWD
Adds a second motor
Range drops to 245 miles
Still comparable to the Renault 4
Charging
10 to 80 percent in 45 minutes
Slower than key rivals
Kia EV3: Around 30 minutes
Ford Puma Gen E: Slightly quicker
Exterior
Suzuki chose not to create a small city EV. Instead, the Evitara follows the modern compact SUV template. Based on the Toyota Urban Cruiser platform, the Evitara shares engineering but Suzuki led the development for this model.
Key exterior highlights:
Compact SUV design
Standard front and rear parking sensors
Reversing camera on all variants
360 degree camera on Ultra trim
SUV stance with high seating but not high ground clearance
Interior and Features
The Evitara’s cabin blends good practicality with some compromises in quality and technology.
Pros
Good driving position
Clear visibility out the front and rear
Digital driver display with sharp graphics
Useful physical climate controls
Excellent interior storage
Large centre cubby
Floating console with storage
Door bins and twin cup holders
Cons
Some areas use hard, scratchy plastics
Kia EV3 and Renault 4 feel more premium inside
Infotainment touchscreen is a weak point
Laggy software
Slow menu transitions
Some climate functions buried in menus
Native software feels outdated
CarPlay and Android Auto available, but not for everything
Practicality
This is an area where the Evitara mixes strong rear-seat flexibility with a disappointingly small boot.
Boot Space
244 litres with seats at their normal position
300 litres with rear seats slid fully forward
Rivals:
Kia EV3: 460 litres
Ford Puma Gen E: 500 litres
So the Evitara is clearly behind when it comes to outright boot volume.
Rear Seat Features
Sliding rear seats
Tilt and recline adjustments
40:20:40 split folding layout
Rare in this class
Good legroom
Flat floor for better comfort
Adequate headroom for adults up to six feet tall
Overall, rear-seat practicality is one of the Evitara’s strongest points.
Comfort and Driving Experience
Driving impressions are mixed, especially when compared to rivals that feel more polished.
Performance
142 bhp with the 49 kWh battery
0 to 62 mph in 9.6 seconds
Bigger battery variants are quicker
AWD version is the most powerful
The Evitara also offers:
Trail driving mode
Hill descent control
Rare to see these on a small electric SUV
Ride Quality
The Evitara is very soft
Excessive body movement on uneven roads
Suspension never feels harsh, but it gets bouncy
Not ideal for long motorway runs or rough British back roads
Handling
Heavy body roll in corners
Steering does not self-centre naturally
Does not inspire confidence at higher speeds
Positive notes
Extremely tight turning circle
Smooth brake pedal response
Useful one-pedal driving mode
Easy to manage in town
Safety
Tested by Euro NCAP
4-star safety rating
Not the full five stars but performed well in detailed categories
Renault 4 also scored four stars
Reliability and Warranty
Suzuki ranked 3rd out of 30 brands in the 2025 What Car reliability survey
Standard warranty: 3 years / 60,000 miles
Extended warranty:
Up to 10 years / 100,000 miles
Valid as long as the car is serviced at an official Suzuki centre
Matching Toyota and Lexus in warranty structure
Verdict
Suzuki waited a long time to release its first fully electric car, and the Evitara is a solid first attempt. It delivers great rear-seat practicality, a decent range with the bigger battery, competitive pricing and strong reliability confidence. However, the driving experience is a major weakness. The soft suspension, body movement and inconsistent steering hold it back in a class filled with excellent all-rounders.
The Evitara will appeal to buyers who prioritise:
Practical rear seats
Simple controls
Strong reliability
Affordable EV ownership
But if you want the best comfort, performance and interior quality in a small electric SUV, the Kia EV3 and Renault 4 remain ahead.
Suzuki Evitara FAQs
What is the Suzuki Evitara?
The Suzuki Evitara is Suzuki's first fully electric vehicle. It is a small electric SUV developed with Toyota and is based on the Toyota Urban Cruiser, but Suzuki was the lead developer for this project.
How practical is the Suzuki Evitara?
The Evitara offers sliding and reclining rear seats, a 40-20-40 split-folding setup, and a usable boot space of 244 L that expands to 300 L when the seats are pushed forward. Rear passengers also get cup holders.
What are the interior features of the Evitara?
It comes with a high driving position, parking sensors, an optional 360-degree camera, digital driver display, dual screens, and practical storage spaces. The infotainment system is usable but lags compared to competitors.
What are the battery options and range?
The Evitara offers two battery options: a 49 kWh pack with 213 miles of range and a 61 kWh pack with 264 miles. The larger battery can be paired with four-wheel drive, which gives 245 miles of range.
How fast is the Suzuki Evitara?
The 49 kWh front-wheel drive version has 142 hp and does 0 to 62 mph in 9.6 seconds. The 61 kWh version is nearly one second faster. The 61 kWh four-wheel drive model is the most powerful and adds trail mode and hill descent control.
How is the driving experience?
The Evitara has a tight turning circle and good brake feel. It supports one-pedal driving. Ride and handling are on the softer side, with body lean around corners. It is best for city driving rather than long-distance or rough-road use.
What trims are available and what is the price?
The Motion trim is available with both battery options and includes features like adaptive cruise control and 18-inch alloys. The 61 kWh version adds heated seats and wireless charging. The Ultra trim adds 19-inch wheels, synthetic leather, and optional all-wheel drive.
What about safety and warranty?
The Evitara received a four-star rating in Euro NCAP tests. Suzuki offers a three-year or 60,000-mile warranty, which can be extended to ten years or 100,000 miles if serviced at an authorised Suzuki service center.
