Suzuki’s trio of new SUVs
Suzuki has launched an all-out electrified SUV assault with new Fronx hybrid set to join Vitara hybrid and fully electric e Vitara.
In one of the biggest changes to its local model lineup in decades Suzuki Australia is about to go from having a single mild-hybrid Swift in its range, to having two new mild-hybrid models and a full battery electric Vitara by the first quarter of 2026.
Headlining the changes is the introduction of an all-new model, the Suzuki Fronx. The compact crossover SUV boasts attractive coupe-like styling and a mild-hybrid powertrain comprising a 1.2-litre petrol engine with a 12-volt mild-hybrid system, which includes an integrated starter generator to assist with engine starts and acceleration.
It's the same three-cylinder mild-hybrid powertrain that’s currently available in the Suzuki Swift, where it makes 61kW of power and 112Nm of torque, returning fuel consumption of 4.0L/100km with the CVT automatic transmission and 3.8L/100km with the manual transmission.
The Suzuki Fronx hybrid.
Like the recently launched five-door Jimny 4x4, the Fronx is built in India and Suzuki will be hoping it will bolster the brand’s already strong showing in the in the light SUV segment, where the Jimny holds a respectable third place behind the best-selling Mazda CX-3 and Toyota Yaris Cross.
The Fronx is expected on sale at the start of September, with Australia General Manager Michael Pachota saying the new model would open the brand up to younger buyers looking to upgrade from a smaller hatchback to an SUV.
The Fronx will be joined in Suzuki’s lineup by another mild-hybrid, the Vitara hybrid, which is currently available with either a 1.6-litre petrol four-cylinder, or 1.4-litre petrol turbo dubbed the ‘Booster Jet.’
Rear view of the Suzuki Fronx hybrid.
Suzuki hasn’t released details of the new powertrain but it’s believed to be the same three-cylinder mild-hybrid powertrain offered in the Swift and the Fronx.
Depending on its state of tune, that may make the Swift hybrid the least powerful model in the Vitara range, with the Swift-spec outputs of 61kW/112Nm trailing the 1.6-litre four-pot’s 86kW/156Nm and the 1.4-litre turbo’s 103kW/220Nm.
However, if the Vitara hybrid can go close to matching the Swift Hybrid’s 4.0L/100km with the CVT automatic transmission, it will comfortably undercut the 6.0L/100km and 5.9L/100km consumption of its six-speed automatic equipped stablemates.
Suzuki's fully electric e Vitara.
Despite Suzuki labelling the Fronx and new Vitara as hybrids, a tactic it also employed with the new Swift last year, they’re mild-hybrids, meaning they use an electric motor to assist the engine during acceleration and low-speed driving, but can’t operate solely on electric power like a full hybrid system can for short distances.
Mild hybrid systems do improve fuel consumption but are not as fuel efficient as a full hybrid system.
The final new model in Suzuki’s SUV assault is its first fully electric model for Australia, the e Vitara, which is set to also launch in the first quarter of 2026.
Although full details of the local lineup have not yet been released, Suzuki has confirmed the e Vitara will be offered here with its ‘ALLGRIP-e’ electric 4WD system, where in other markets it is also offered in front-wheel drive.
SIde view of Suzuki's upcoming fully electric e Vitara.
In overseas markets the AWD variant gets dual electric motors boasting outputs of 135kW/300Nm and a 61kWh battery providing a claimed range of 400km.
Despite sharing the Vitara name, the electric variant is based on a dedicated electric vehicle platform developed in collaboration with Toyota and Daihatsu.
The result is a vehicle that is longer, wider and taller than the ICE-powered Vitara, sitting on a longer wheelbase, which should translate to superior passenger accommodation.
No pricing or other detail have yet been released for the e Vitara but it’s safe to assume it will be more expensive than the current range-topping Vitara 4WD Turbo model at $40,490 (MRLP).
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