Suzuki’s first fully electric vehicle is a big shift for the brand, but the e VITARA still feels pleasingly familiar: compact, practical, easy to live with, and not remotely interested in making you decode 14 menus just to turn the air con down.
Arriving in New Zealand as an all-electric compact SUV, the e VITARA is designed for drivers who want to move into the EV era without losing the simple pleasures: a comfortable cabin, decent range, easy city driving and enough style to pull up outside a queer film festival, drag brunch or Ponsonby dinner booking without looking like you borrowed your dad’s car.
It effectively replaces the outgoing Vitara hybrid in Suzuki New Zealand’s local line-up, marking a clear move into electric. Consider it the brand’s glow-up era.
Built on a dedicated EV platform, the e VITARA uses a 61kWh lithium iron phosphate battery, helping create a cabin that feels more spacious than its compact exterior suggests. It is only slightly larger than the previous Vitara, but a much longer wheelbase gives it a stronger stance and noticeably more room inside.
That extra rear legroom is good news if your friends are tall, dramatic, overdressed, or all three. It is also handy for whānau, weekend plans, airport runs and those nights when you are the designated driver, in charge of getting everyone home safely after closing time.
The boot, at 306 litres, is smaller than the hybrid it replaces, so it may not be the car for anyone transporting an entire drag wardrobe, three wigs, a fog machine and emotional baggage. But for groceries, gym bags, overnight stays and a couple of well-packed sequinned options, it should do the job.
Inside, the e VITARA feels like one of Suzuki’s most polished cabins yet. The design is clean, modern and sensible, with plenty of standard kit, including a 10.1-inch touchscreen, a seven-speaker Infinity sound system with subwoofer, 12-colour ambient lighting, wi-fi, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and a customisable 10.25-inch digital instrument panel.
The 12-colour ambient lighting is a nice touch. Subtle if you want it, camp if you need it, and perfect for anyone who believes a cabin should have at least a little bit of mood.
Safety technology is also strong, with adaptive cruise control, lane keeping assistance, autonomous emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, a 360-degree camera and seven airbags. Because whether you are heading to Big Gay Out, the supermarket or a second date you should absolutely have cancelled, you deserve backup.
The e VITARA has received a four-star Euro NCAP safety rating and a four-star ANCAP safety rating.
How much is it?
The e VITARA in New Zealand comes in one high-spec model, available in front-wheel drive or all-wheel drive. Front-wheel drive starts at $56,990 plus on roads and delivers 128kW, 189Nm, and up to 426km of range, while all-wheel drive starts at $64,990 with 135kW, 300Nm, and up to 395km of range. For the two-tone finish add a $1,000 premium.
Special introductory pricing drops the price by $2,000 for a limited period. Suzuki is also backing the e VITARA with an eight-year/160,000km battery warranty and eight-year/160,000km warranty package and five years of roadside assistance. That is the kind of long-term commitment we can respect, especially in a community that has seen plenty of men say they are “not looking for anything serious”.
What is it like to drive?
For a first fully electric model, the e VITARA feels impressively sorted. It is quiet, composed and easy to place on the road, with the kind of fuss-free confidence that makes everyday driving feel calm rather than chaotic.
Despite weighing more than the previous Vitara, it feels surprisingly agile. The front-wheel drive version reaches 100km/h in 8.7 seconds, while the all-wheel drive model does it in 7.4 seconds.
It is not trying to be a boy-racer fantasy, and frankly, thank Cher for that. Instead, it offers smooth, useful performance that suits real life: quick enough away from the lights, relaxed on the motorway and easy around town.
The steering feels accurate, the ride is comfortable, and the car deals well with bumps, potholes and less-than-perfect city streets. Driver assists are present and helpful without feeling bossy, which is exactly the energy we want from both cars and exes.
For most New Zealand buyers, the front-wheel drive e VITARA will likely be the sweet spot. It offers the best range, lower weight, strong standard specification and a more accessible price.
Who is it for?
The e VITARA makes sense for drivers wanting a compact SUV that feels modern without being intimidating. It is especially well suited to city and suburban life: commuting, weekend escapes, school runs, date nights, dog park trips, gym visits and the full Pride month calendar you swore you were going to pace yourself through.
For queer New Zealanders, the appeal is pretty simple. It is stylish without being obnoxious, practical without being beige, and modern without acting like it has just discovered techno. It has enough polish for a night out, enough comfort for daily driving, and enough electric credibility for those wanting to make a cleaner move.
The smaller boot may be a catch for some, particularly if your lifestyle involves costumes, camping gear or emotional support outfit changes. But the roomy cabin, strong equipment list, generous warranty and relaxed driving experience help make up for it.
Suzuki’s first EV feels like a confident first step. The e VITARA is not just a big change for the brand; it is a smart, approachable electric SUV with a bit of sparkle, a lot of common sense and just enough main character energy to make the school run, supermarket dash or Pride weekend escape feel a little more fabulous.
