Suzuki Australia has confirmed not one, not two, but three new SUV models will be launching in the early stages of 2025 – all of which will offer a hybrid option.
Speaking with CarExpert at the launch of the new Swift Hybrid, managing director for automobiles at Suzuki Australia Michael Pachota said the Vitara Hybrid and S-Cross Hybrid are due in the first quarter of 2025, while the all-new Fronx crossover will likewise arrive in “early 2025” with a hybrid option.
It’s understood – at least in the case of the Vitara and S-Cross – the existing petrol models will continue in the updated ranges, potentially with 48V mild-hybrid assistance like what is available in Europe and the UK.
Suzuki Vitara
Mr Pachota said the Vitara should come equipped with active safety technology across the range, as the current entry model misses features expected of modern cars like autonomous emergency braking (AEB) and lane departure warning.
“We want to get all tech and safety features that are available to us fitted to vehicles for the Australian market as soon as possible,” Mr Pachota said.
“Anything that’s available to us, if there’s an opportunity to up-spec we’ll up-spec.”
Suzuki Fronx
It’s the latest development in the Australian launch of the all-new Fronx too, which will effectively replace the Baleno with which it shares its DNA, and as noted earlier will debut with a hybrid drivetrain option.
Produced in India by Maruti Suzuki division, the Fronx Hybrid is powered by a 1.5-litre petrol engine teamed with a 12V mild-hybrid system incorporating a small lithium-ion battery and integrated starter-generator that also provides electric assistance under acceleration.
It’s already exported to markets including the Middle East, Latin America, and Africa, and is also marketed as the Toyota Urban Cruiser Taisor in India as well as the Toyota Starlet Cross in Africa.
Suzuki S-Cross
Finally, the Suzuki S-Cross range will be bolstered by a hybrid version, likely running the same 85kW/138Nm 1.5-litre naturally aspirated petrol engine and 24.6kW/60Nm electric motor-generator as the current Vitara Full Hybrid.
Driving either the front or all-four wheels via a six-speed automated manual transmission, the Vitara Full Hybrid uses as little as 5.2 litres per 100km on the combined WLTP cycle (5.8L/100km 4WD) with CO2 emissions as low as 119g/km.
By comparison, Australian-delivered Vitara and S-Cross Boosterjet models, which are sourced from the same Hungarian factory as EU models, are offered with a turbocharged 1.4-litre four with 103kW and 220Nm.
MORE: Everything Suzuki S-Cross
MORE: Everything Suzuki Vitara
