2026 Suzuki eVitara Review

A question I’m unfortunately unable to answer yet because, in an unusual move, Suzuki is yet to confirm Australian pricing for the eVitara, even at the model’s launch event.

While the approach isn’t unheard of – some brands choose to showcase a vehicle while pricing discussions are still ongoing – it does make reviewing the car slightly more challenging.

What Suzuki has confirmed, however, are its technical and equipment details, as well as the fact the eVitara will be offered in two variants like the Vitara Hybrid.

The entry-level eVitara Motion is powered by a 49kWh battery driving the front wheels, offering a claimed driving range of up to 344km. It rides on 18-inch alloy wheels and comes equipped with automatic headlights, rain-sensing wipers, selectable driving modes and a 360-degree camera.

Inside, there’s a 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster paired with a 10.1-inch central touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Other features include a leather-wrapped steering wheel, single-zone climate control, ambient lighting, fabric upholstery and a four-speaker audio system.

Stepping up to the eVitara Ultra adds a larger 61kWh battery and increases the driving range by an extra 51km to 395km. The flagship model also introduces all-wheel drive via Suzuki’s ALLGRIP-e system.

Additional features include adaptive high beam, front LED fog lamps, a panoramic sunroof, wireless phone charging and an Infinity by Harman sound system including a subwoofer. The Ultra also gains an electrically adjustable driver’s seat, heated front seats, and upgraded fabric and synthetic-leather upholstery.

Both models receive a tyre repair kit in place of a spare tyre.

Safety equipment includes seven airbags, adaptive cruise control, autonomous emergency braking, lane keeping assist with departure prevention, forward collision warning, and blind-spot monitoring. Other systems include rear cross-traffic alert and front and rear parking sensors.

The eVitara has achieved a four-star safety rating from Euro NCAP. It remains to be seen whether that result will carry over to Australia once ANCAP assesses the model, but Suzuki is confident it will.

The eVitara will be available in five colours, including the hero shade Land Breeze Green, which was the crowd favourite. Details around potential paint premiums, however, remain under wraps until closer to launch.

Warranty and servicing – or in the case of an EV, maintenance details – have yet to be announced, with Suzuki expected to confirm those closer to launch.

One of the first things that stands out about the 2026 Suzuki eVitara is the design.

While many new EVs lean heavily into futuristic styling, Suzuki has taken a more traditional approach. The sharp lines and chunky proportions give the car a muscular stance; something the brand says was inspired by the silhouette of a crouching cheetah. The star-shaped alloy wheels are also a neat design touch that helps the car stand out.

Behind the wheel, the light steering immediately makes the eVitara feel easy to manoeuvre, particularly at lower speeds, and suits the character of what is expected to be a city-friendly electric SUV.

Inside, Suzuki has taken its classic analogue approach – a stark contrast to many modern EV interiors. Physical air-conditioning controls remain, and much of the cabin still feels like a conventional car rather than a tech-heavy gadget. There are proper door handles, tactile switches and a layout that prioritises usability over minimalism.

The interior design itself is also more rugged than you might expect from an electric SUV. Chunky shapes and details like the silver-trimmed air vents give the cabin a slightly utilitarian feel. The two-tone tan interior is also a welcome departure from the sea of black interiors common in this segment. It may not be to everyone’s taste, but you can’t say it's not unique.

Features like the floating centre console help modernise the cabin and move the design away from the more dated feel of the hybrid Vitara.

Ergonomics is another thoughtful touch, specifically the screen design. I’ve noticed in some new vehicles that the digital driver display can be partially hidden by the steering wheel, which I’ve experienced before in the Toyota bZ4X. Suzuki has avoided that here by positioning the display slightly lower, ensuring it sits clearly within the driver’s line of sight. From the passenger seat, it looks a little unusual, as there’s blank space above the display, but from behind the wheel, the setup makes practical sense.

There are also a few components borrowed from Toyota, including the circular gear selector. It’s one of the more recognisable “EV-style” elements inside the cabin, but it’s intuitive and easy to use once you’re familiar with it.

And finally, if the four-star Euro NCAP rating carries over, it would represent the highest safety score currently held by a Suzuki model from the independent authority. With the vehicle built in India – like the Fronx, which faced scrutiny over its safety credentials – that rating could do some important reputational lifting for the brand from a safety perspective.

One of the biggest question marks around the eVitara right now is pricing. Suzuki chose not to announce local figures at the launch event, which makes it difficult to fully judge the car’s competitiveness in the fast-moving electric SUV segment.

With that said, range (price pending) could also be a sticking point. The entry-level version with the smaller battery has a claimed driving range of 344km. In real-world driving, that figure will likely sit closer to the 300km mark. That’s not terrible, but it does place the eVitara in the same territory as smaller (and more affordable) rivals such as the BYD Atto 2, which claims around 345km of range while starting from $31,990.

Inside, the cabin design, although better than the Vitara Hybrid, is a mixed bag. While the rugged styling and analogue layout are refreshing in some ways, there’s no getting around the fact that many of the materials feel quite plastic-heavy.

The overall look is also more traditional than most modern EVs, which may leave it feeling slightly dated when compared with the screen-heavy interiors found in many rivals.

And finally, on the road, the car’s weight also makes itself known over rougher surfaces. When hitting sharper bumps, the suspension can feel a little overwhelmed, occasionally sending a noticeable thump through the cabin. At times, I found myself slowing down more than expected just to keep things comfortable for passengers.

As with most new cars entering the market, pricing will be pivotal to the 2026 Suzuki eVitara’s success. But that factor becomes even more important when talking about electric vehicles, where buyers are particularly sensitive to value.

We’ve already seen how an overpriced EV from a legacy brand can struggle to gain traction, so without confirmed Australian pricing, it’s difficult to give a definitive recommendation.

If the eVitara manages to land somewhere around the price of rivals like the Chery Omoda E5 or BYD Atto 2 or even Atto 3, it could suddenly become a far more compelling proposition, shifting the focus away from some of its shortcomings.

However, if pricing ends up closer to its converted UK equivalent at around $A50,000, the eVitara will face stiff competition from rivals that offer more modern interiors, longer driving range and stronger performance. In that scenario, Suzuki’s long-standing reputation for reliability and durability may have to do a lot of the heavy-lifting.

2026 Suzuki eVitara at a glance:
Price: TBC
Available: Q2 2026
Powertrain: Single permanent magnet synchronous motor Output: 193kW/307Nm
Transmission: Single-speed reduction gear Battery: 61kWh lithium-ion
Range: 395km (WLTP)
Energy consumption: Unknown
Safety rating: Not tested

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