Suzuki’s all-electric offerings are well worth considering

Suzuki, a well-established and respected maker of economy cars, has drifted into the all-electric stakes with a more premium offering.

The five-door e-Vitara arrives in Queensland with three variants: two front-drive models and one all-wheel-drive. Other parts of the country do with just the entry-level, two-wheel-drive Motion and the fully loaded, all-wheel-drive Ultra.

Here, there’s the added choice of a two-wheel-drive e-Vitara Ultra, packing all the goodies into a middle-of-the-mob offering from $54,990 driveaway.

It’s still dear and outprices some of the Chinese competition.

Yet, this is most likely the more appealing of the electric Vitaras.

The front-drive Ultra has a wealth of safety, comfort and convenience features.

It’s comfortable, easy to drive and has a bigger claimed range – up to 426km – than the more expensive all-wheel-drive Ultra.

So, unless a family is often battling a slippery goat track, this could be the best e-Vitara.

It’s still a pity to see Vitara’s transition from an all-out, mud-plugging, four-wheel-drive wagon with low range to today’s whisper-quiet, 61kWh battery-powered machine on low-profile rubber, but that’s the way it is.

Now, it’s about 128kW of power, 193Nm of torque and a DC rapid charge of 45 minutes to get from 10 per cent battery to 80 per cent, or about nine hours if plugging in at home.

The compact e-Vitaras measure in at a city-friendly 4.2m long by 1.8m wide on a 2.7m wheelbase, which allows for decent accommodation for four adults.

Boot space is adequate for a compact, unhindered by the need to accommodate a spare wheel. Instead, there’s a miniscule air compressor and bottle of sealant.

It’s a handsome-enough machine, if a touch ubiquitous, with a style that could possibly lead to it being confused as belonging to Kia’s stable.

Mighty fancy 18-inch alloy wheels run with 225/55R tyres which don’t always provide a comfortable ride on Southeast Queensland roads.

Yet the car’s suspension, road balance and general dynamics are well sorted.

Power and torque offer a smooth and decent performance, while the e-Vitara is a light and easy car to navigate down motorway, back country road or suburban street.

Helping out here are a host of safety aids such as lane-keeping assist, blind-spot monitors and multiple collision braking: the Suzuki will tell you quick and lively if sensors believe it’s in any danger.

So, this is a well-behaved and sensible, all-electric compact in a tidy package – something people expect from a Suzuki.

What’s not quite so expected is the more upmarket and 21st century interior with, in the Ultra, the likes of a floating centre console, glass roof (with sunshade), heated door mirrors, 10.25 inch multimedia touchscreen, wireless phone charger and electric driver’s seat … even a subwoofer for the Infinity sound system.

All this accompanies the usual convenience features, including Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, an array of steering wheel controls and, unlike some Suzukis, a proper control knob for audio volume.

And so, e-Vitaras are well-considered packages that add a smart all-electric compact SUV to Suzuki’s range.

Well worth consideration, while remembering there are a number of rivals from Japan, China and Korea around these price points (and some cheaper) which also have appeal in this part of the market.