Why Suzuki Australia still has no electrified models

The fuel-saving Suzuki Swift Hybrid has been on Suzuki Australia’s radar since the turn of the decade when it was launched internationally, and although the Japanese small-car brand insists its hybrid vehicle assault is coming, there’s still no precise launch timing.

It’s been a year since the brand last confirmed negotiations with Suzuki’s head office in Japan were progressing in a bid to bring the Suzuki Swift Hybrid and a few other fuel-saving models to Australia, but execs now say that government policy has pushed it to the back of the queue.

“Australia got the raw end of the deal,” Suzuki Australia general manager Michael Pachota told carsales.

Pachota said Suzuki’s hybrid rollout will go ahead and is expected to be spearheaded by a mild-hybrid version of the Suzuki Swift, blending a 1.2-litre four-cylinder petrol engine (61kW/107Nm) with an integrated starter motor (50Nm) that reduces the strain on the combustion engine to improve fuel economy.

The Suzuki Swift Hybrid was launched in New Zealand back in mid-2020, but as mainstream Asian car brands continue to flesh out their hybrid and EV offerings, Suzuki Australia’s electrification strategy appears to be stuck in limbo.

“We tried to accelerate it, [but] COVID put a pause on it. Those hybrid models have immediate needs for some markets and here the Australian government has slower progress on CO2 emissions – there’s no penalties or rebates – so for Suzuki there’s more focus to get the cars into other markets.

“But with that said, those discussions are progressing – it’s around the corner, let’s put it that way. We’ve been discussing the topic in Japan in great detail,” said Suzuki’s local chief.

Suzuki has access to two other hybrid models utilising similar hybrid systems – the Vitara and S-Cross – and the brand is understood to be working on an EV for launch mid-decade.

There’s been talk of an EV version of the Suzuki Jimny, but the next derivative of the iconic compact off-roader to be launched will be a five-door version that may employ a hybrid powertrain.

Pachota previously told carsales it would seek to introduce a “…hybrid platform for Swift, but other models across the range as well”.

The new third-generation Suzuki S-Cross is due to arrive in Australia from early September, but it’s understood a hybrid powertrain will not be offered from launch.

A reborn Suzuki Grand Vitara is due to be revealed this week and will be offered with a Toyota-based hybrid system, so it could also be earmarked for Australian release in future.

However, there’s still no concrete timeline for the local introduction of any Suzuki hybrid model such as the sought-after Suzuki Swift Hybrid. It would likely be an affordable option among its rivals, given the current Swift range starts at $20,490 for the 1.2-litre manual and tops out at $27,990 for the 1.4-litre turbo-petrol Swift Sport.

For reference, the entry-level Suzuki Swift city hatch uses fuel at a rate of around 4.8L/100km, while the hybrid version drops that to 4.1L/100km (based on New Zealand specs) thanks to the fitment of a second battery and a small electric motor.

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