2022 Suzuki Vitara Hybrid First Drive

[@DB-gn5tn]

I had the 1.4 szt 2 wheel drive.. I'm in Cornwall & it's really hilly where I am... Local driving I averaged about 41, most I got was 43mpg local driving... Nearly 3 months ago I traded this in for the Sz5 Allgrip 1.5 full hybrid.. Same local driving I'm now constantly getting 53mpg... It's nice to have that power of the 1.4 but I barely used it... Right now that extra mpg is appreciated.. This car only holds on to its gears if you keep it in Eco... Leave it in standard without Eco & it's fine... Up hills flick it in sport & it flies up no worries, using both engine & battery power together.. When it's in Eco, get it to speed & you can tease it into EV mode by gently letting off the peddle then gently back on.. When I took my 1.4 in to trade in for this one I achieved 59mpg driving to Newquay very gently... I've never run out of battery power because every time I ease of the throttle it's constantly charging.. There is a big difference between the 1.4 & this 1.5.. and I must admit at first I did think "have I done the right thing here"... But now after nearly three months of getting used to the 1.5 I'm convinced.. I even gave the salesman some tips for getting the best out of this car when taking it in for its 2 month check up, which he said was great to pass on to future customers..

[@CarObsession]

Hi there, thanks for watching, and thanks for sharing your experience.

[@DeanPhilips-pr3hl]

I can get 58-60mpg in my Vitara S if driven carefully and sensiby and the Vitara S is a different beast and with much lower running costs than compared to the full hybrid.

[@AbandonEarth911]

The 1.4 turbo mild hybrid auto is a peach, a nippy and economical suv.

[@DeanPhilips-pr3hl]

I agree with the comments from this review. I test drove this car myself last week and came to the conclusion that this car is primarily aimed at a particular type of buyer and that is one of patience and a vehicle with a respectable brand name within the car market. The gearbox takes it time to work through as it is a single automated clutch rather than dual clutch so this car is not for quick smooth take offs from roundabouts or junction. You will need to be patient and it does not like to be hurried. In fact some cars with dual clutch also suffer from this but not as bad as with a single automated clutch. It does not mean you should not buy this car, its just that its aimed for a particular group in my view. If you want smooth fast take offs, good overtaking abilties and gear changes, this is not the car for it. For that you need to look at the Vitara S or the SZ5 1.4 boosterjet - earlier non hybrid models. The boot suffers even more for lack of space with this hybrid but my view is that many other cars within the hybrid market offer much more for the money. Its hard to call this hybrid its far too underpowered to be a hybrid but the brand name is sensible one with a solid record for reliability.

[@AbandonEarth911]

The SZ5 1.4 auto mild hybrid is quick and smooth off the mark at junctions traffic lights etc.

[@harry-james-books]

Suzuki have ruined the Vitara with this poxy "Full Hybrid" version - the only version with an "auto" box - and it's not even a real auto these days. Realistically 13 seconds to 60?? And the consumption isn't even massively better. What a joke 🙄

[@DeanPhilips-pr3hl]

@@AbandonEarth911 The mild hybrid utilises a torque convertor gearbox, that is different to an AMT box that is used in the full hybrid.

[@AbandonEarth911]

@@DeanPhilips-pr3hl Thank you.

[@ajaysingla6711]

A good review. Its good to know that Suzuki decided to go it alone in making this car rather than ask Toyota to make it like some of its other cars. The single biggest flaw with this Hybrid Vitara is the gearbox selection. AMT's have by and large been obsolete since 2010 in cars simply because they are too problematic and provide poor driver experience. I used to own one as a second car with a different car, problem is the clutch plate needed replacing frequently and it was expensive, however its just not the right gearbox for Vitara. Its not good for off roading and more often than not, the gearbox uses the wrong gear selection during driving. Its more jerky and uncomfortable than DCT gearboxes.

[@CarObsession]

Hi Ajay, thanks for watching and thanks for the comment 👍🏽.

[@Coordinator61]

Forget this one, get the 1400 Turbo automatic. I am getting between 1 litre for 15 km to 19. So very good economy, fast, lost of torque en a brilliant 6 speed automatic, a hydraulic one.

[@duncanedwards4282]

Great review. Always informative and honest.

[@CarObsession]

Hi Duncan, thanks for watching, and thanks for such a great comment!

[@stuartgold3602]

Excellent video! Bit puzzled why Suzuki have used this engine over the 1.4 boosterjet? The mild hybrid 1.4 boosterjet does only 3.5 mpg less with far better performance and a much larger boot? This new hybrid makes no sense???

[@CarObsession]

Car manufacturers are under a lot of pressure to bring down their overall CO2 (that's why the Jimny was dropped) so I suppose from their point of view, every little helps. Thanks for watching Stuart 👍🏽.

[@CastleKnight7]

Yes, very puzzling. Fortunately, I’ve got last year’s model with the better performance. I hope Suzuki doesn’t nerf their new Vitara model expected out in 2024.

[@shaykavanagh3734]

I’ve ordered one last February . Last month I was told that I couldn’t have my colour (Turquoise). So it’s Silver or red, the wife hates red silver wins ! Hoping for delivery in July

[@UtkarshaMohan]

Here in India, Suzuki is developing the next gen Vitara with Toyota (Search for Maruti YFG), that will be built in Toyota Plant, powered by Toyota Engines, due out later this year. The Electric Suzuki is again a collab with Toyota, atleast for India, that will be using BYD Blade Batteries made in India again. Due out in 2025. The Hybrid K15C with AMT is a new combination, and from what we know, K15C will be paired with a 6 Speed Torque Converter here in India. Thanks for the review.

[@harry-james-books]

Suzuki should ditch Toyota - they are taking them down the same underpowered route as Toyota's crappy underpowered cars. The Aygo and the Yaris Cross are typical of how Toyota thinks everybody should drive - foot flat on the floor to get even half sensible acceleration. The Aygo has *worse* performance than a base model Austin Allegro had in the 1970s FFS...

[@AdamRance-b8l]

Agree with most of the comments. I drove this full Hybrid yesterday which only comes in automatic which Suzuki call AGS which is an automated manual transmission. I have to say I was very disappointed with this car. The gear changes are so jerky and clumsy which hampers the overall ride quality. It tends to wheel spin or create a kangaroo effect if hurried in first gear at roundabouts which is somewhat dangerous. It needs time to work through the gears which for some like myself isn't particularly useful. However my main concern is off-roading and slow traffic driving. Suzuki have used the wrong gearbox. For off-roading crawl and creep features are important and unfortunately you cannot do that with an automated manual transmission, it will smoke the clutch very quickly in a short amount of time resulting in expensive damage. The previous Vitara’s with conventional Torque convertors were the right gearbox for off-roading. That’s why Land Rovers, earlier Vitara’s and other off roaders don’t use AMT’s and DCTs. Secondly for regular stop and go traffic, AMT's are the wrong choice. All in all disappointed with Suzuki's choice of gearbox however I can see the reasons for its selection, lower cost as AMT are cheap compared to other gearboxes and the need to meet EU emission regulations. The smaller boot space and the sluggish 0-60 figures are also disappointing. The car is more suited for long distance driving only from my experience. The previous Vitaras offered more fun and makes more sense to buy.

[@CarObsession]

Hi Adam, thanks for watching and thanks for the comment.

[@slapheadone1]

I have a 2016 1,6 Vitara which I purchased after you reviewed it back in the day. Not a lot has changed in my view Arron , are you by any chance going to review the new Suzuki S-Cross?

[@CarObsession]

I will do at some point John 👍🏽. Thanks for watching.

[@alanbarclay2695]

Great review! Think I'll stick with my manual 1.4 mild hybrid until the full electric is introduced! Suzuki say the full hybrid can be driven on electric only for 'short distances'. Did you manage to try this?

[@CarObsession]

Hello Alan, thanks for watching. I'm afraid the journey did not include any town driving/stop/start scenarios, so I didn't get a chance to test it.

[@melondog82]

Alan....stick with the 1.4, I've driven the 1.5 and it's got no power you've got to work it so hard to get the same get up an go (probably due to 90nm of torque missing and 36hp not to mention the 0/60 Marek drives did it in 13.9 on his review that's over 3 seconds slower) and the auto doesn't have a clue what gear it needs to be in if you live in a hilly place....I'll end up changing brands next time because this is a total down grade. (Marek drives review goes into more detail about the poor gearbox)

[@oddities-whatnot]

This is why I prefer boxer engines. The higher the revs the better they sound. Traditional four cylinder engines just become boomy when pushed.

[@gindublin]

It appears that the analogue clock in the upper part of the dash in the car you tested is gone ?- or is it just closed within the circular vent ?

[@CarObsession]

It is gone, part of the changes for the facelift. Thanks for watching Ger 👍🏽

[@gindublin]

@@CarObsession thanks for your reply- I have ordered this car already here in Ireland with an expected delivery date of July.

[@AbandonEarth911]

Yes the SZ5 used to have a clock as Standard.

[@niki4703]

Aaron, thanks for your review! So, from what the Suzuki reps told you, will the Mild Hybrid still be produced along this Strong variant, or will it be cancelled? A Mild Hybrid manual would be a good choice to have for another year or two, at least, I guess... Thanks! Niki

[@CarObsession]

Hi Niki, thanks for watching. The mild hybrid will be kept going, but only for manual versions.

[@gegounaris]

Hi! Do you consider this hybrid system with AGS a reliable combination?

[@CarObsession]

It's a Suzuki, so I reckon it'll be pretty bulletproof - thanks for watching.

[@gtz101]

AGS comes with its flaws and quite a few of them. The clutch plate usually needs changing normally around 35,000 miles, they are expensive to change. The traditional auto gearboxes used in the previous Vitara's are the most reliable ones generally speaking not just in Vitara's but any car that uses them although I don't think they are used that often now as they once used to be.

[@joe80ss]

Looks good but I hear a new model will be coming end of 2023 might be worth the wait 👍 keep up the good work.

[@CarObsession]

Thanks for watching Joe! 👍🏽

[@jasonmad4267]

prob going to be based on the yaris cross i would guess

[@CastleKnight7]

@@jasonmad4267 Hopefully not. Suzuki were the trendsetters for the SUV with their Vitara back in the day and I prefer their styling to Toyota’s. Not that the Yaris Cross is a bad looking car, I just don’t want to see Suzuki overshadowed by Toyota.

[@joe80ss]

@@jasonmad4267 that won't be a bad thing but I don't want Suzuki to lose its manual option.

[@andrewholland1390]

Anyone know at what speed the petrol engine kicks in and how far it will go on electric only drive?

[@CarObsession]

The EV is only for short bursts, it's not like the Kuga PHEV that can do 35 miles on EV only. Then again, that's a plug in hybrid, whereas the Vitara isn't. Thanks for watching 👍🏽.

[@Gospelworshipsongs]

Is this a full hybrid , like honda city e:HEV.

[@CarObsession]

Hy Joyson, thanks for watching, sorry for the delayed response. It is a full hybrid, but not a plug-in. Thanks for watching.

[@mustafakhan242]

Will a hybrid engine be compatible with older Suzuki models???

[@CarObsession]

Hi Mustafa, thanks for watching. I may be missing something here, but why would it need to be compatible with older models? Would you be doing an engine swap? Sorry, I'm a bit confused.

[@mustafakhan242]

@@CarObsession yes my engine blown 07 Vitara just got a civic 2010 cause of gas mileage but want to replace the engine on the Suzuki with hybrid if possible its 48 miles per gallon I’m only getting 36 mpg highway cause it would even be more fuel efficient then my Honda with the fresh body of 07 gv

[@CarObsession]

@@mustafakhan242 I'm no engineer, but I highly doubt a hybrid system would slot in to a Vitara of that age, and even if it did, it simply wouldn't be the worth the cost/time/hassle if you ask me.

[@mustafakhan242]

@@CarObsession what about ev conversion hearing a lot about that love my Suzuki gv they don’t sell them in Canada anymore trying to find something to do with it everything else on it is mint time and the hassle might be worth it engines blown any way if its 48 mpg or ev gas so high I drive all over southern Ontario doing drywall jobs, civic aren’t bad but Suzuki feel solid good in the snow can tow with it would be worth the hassle rather then buying a new ev car or hybrid

[@CarObsession]

@@mustafakhan242 EV conversions are big money pal, so again, I'd argue it's not worth it.

[@steveburland624]

Are you sure the gearbox isn't a CVT like the Toyota equivalent?

[@CarObsession]

It's definitely an automated manual: kzbin.info/www/bejne/qqmklXyXjdyNq9E Thanks for watching Steve

[@mariojager43]

I've just driven from Paignton to St Austell (UK) around 63 miles in my Vitara 1.4 turbo S and averaged 49.9 mpg, I didn't bomb it but it was a mixture of driving speeds 20 to 70 mph. So, plenty of power when I need it, but good economy if driven within speed limits. I don't see much advantage or enjoyment in this version over the 1.4 S.

[@CarObsession]

It's simply more efficient, car brands are under lots of pressure to bring down emissions across the the board. Thanks for watching Mario 👍🏽.

[@oddities-whatnot]

Only 49.9 mpg from that ? I can get the nearly same MPG out of an Impreza if I take it easy, and its a bigger engine ! Oh dear

[@melondog82]

@@CarObsession 128 co2 for the 1.4.....vs 121 co2 for 1.5 !!!?? 7co2's isn't much different with all that power loss over the 1.4, thats probably due to working the engine harder to get anywhere. I've had the 1.5 one on a test drive and it was worse on mpg than my 1.4 where I live (hilly) and the new auto box in the 1.5 is poor...real poor.

[@gtz101]

@@oddities-whatnot I own the Vitara S, for a short run about 15 mins I can get about 45mpg but on a longer run assuming I drive it carefully I can get 56mpg on average and at best 58-60mpg if driving for about 45mins or longer on dual carriageways. On motorways its slightly less.

[@keesketsers5866]

I agree the 1.5 engine/hybrid makes no sense. More expensive and not much more economical. But I absolutely do not agree on the gearbox....it's great. You cannot compare it with older automated gearboxes because the pauses between shifting are "filled up" by the electric motor. You feel nothing. Nothing. And I have owned several cars with automated gearboxes and now own 2 mercedes, one with normal automatic gearbox and one with dual clutch. The Suzuki is just as smooth, actually better than the normal automatic MB. And WAAAAAY better than other automated gearboxes. Maybe it gets worse when driving sporty, but if you do...why buy a vitara?

[@CarObsession]

That's fair enough comment but I'm pretty sure I'm not the only reviewer to have these thoughts on the gearbox. Thanks for watching.

[@keesketsers5866]

@@CarObsession : Maybe I just drive really slow 🤣

[@CarObsession]

@@keesketsers5866 😅

[@Yvdr-zh5bl]

Lonch date plese

[@CarObsession]

Hello Diya, thanks for watching. The car is available to order now.

[@harry-james-books]

Suzuki have ruined the Vitara with this poxy "Full Hybrid" version - the only version with an "auto" box - and it's not even a real auto these days. Realistically 13 seconds to 60?? And the consumption isn't even massively better. What a joke 🙄