It’s efficient, it’s rugged, and it comes loaded with kit as standard - say hello to a new full hybrid version of the Suzuki Vitara.
Suzuki is a firm we admire here at Select Car Leasing for giving customers what they want with minimal fuss, and at a super-affordable price, too.
The Vitara is a long-running SUV with go-anywhere, four-wheel-drive capabilities as well as slick modern styling and generous amount of kit. It’s a rival to the likes of the SEAT Arona or the Volkswagen T-Cross, but chances are you can have one for lower monthly leasing costs than that pair.
And the introduction of this new full hybrid variant is a welcome one indeed.
Up until now, you could already get the Vitara as a 48 volt mild hybrid, which offers some nice benefits in terms of lowering CO2 emissions and increasing fuel economy.
This new full hybrid system, however, uses a 140V hybrid system - bolted to a traditional 1.5 litre petrol engine - to bring you CO2 emissions of just 121 g/km for 2WD models and a frugal mile to the gallon figure of 53 mpg.
Better yet, the full hybrid powertrain is self-charging - you don’t need to plug it in as you would a typical ‘PHEV’.
Explaining how the system works, a Suzuki spokesperson says:
“The high-performance lithium-ion battery stores electrical energy recovered from deceleration and braking and incorporates an idle stop function operated via the Integrated Starter Generator. Based on engine speed and throttle position, the engine ECU judges when the driver will accelerate and then uses electric motor assist to add additional torque. Additionally, the hybrid system efficiently collects kinetic energy and generates electricity by stopping the engine and disengaging the clutch during deceleration which expands the EV driving range. As a full Hybrid, Vitara can run on its electric motor alone for short distances.”
There are two trim levels available - SZ-T and SZ5 models.
Standard equipment on the base SZ-T includes an advanced forward detection system that can even apply the brakes when needed, as well as LED headlights, Traffic Sign Recognition, Lane Departure Warning, Lane Departure Prevention, Blind Spot Monitor, Adaptive Cruise Control, auto air conditioning, keyless entry and start, 17-inch alloys, rear privacy glass and sat nav.
The SZ5 incarnation adds uprated alloys, suede seat upholstery, a panoramic sunroof, front and rear parking sensors and ‘ALLGRIP 4WD’ as an option.
What’s also clever is that the full hybrid Vitara also comes as standard with ‘Auto Gear Shift’, which ‘automatically shifts the manual transmission and features gear ratios that are optimised to help provide a good combination of performance and fuel economy’, says Suzuki.
The spokesperson adds:
“This enables the driver to enjoy both the direct driving experience of a manual gearbox and the shifting ease of an Automatic Transmission. Another key advantage is lower component weight versus a conventional torque converter type Automatic. The transmission also has a manual mode with steering wheel mounted shift paddles.”
All this for just £25,499 for SZ-T model, and with highly competitive monthly leasing costs, too.
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