Suzuki Escudo Hybrid (YEH1S)

The fully imported, 4th-generation, Suzuki Escudo has been in the market for almost seven years, and just as we thought the whole Japanese neighborhood had completely forgotten about this compact crossover that is similarly priced compared to the Toyota RAV4, Suzuki decided to give the Escudo the electrification route. You're looking at the first-ever Suzuki Escudo Hybrid, except for one thing...

2022 Suzuki Escudo Hybrid

Don't let the hybrid naming fool you because, in reality, the latest update on the Suzuki Escudo is not really a full hybrid vehicle. In fact, it's milder than a full-fledged hybrid crossover but it's more than enough to give the Escudo the electrification status it deserves at this age of the new normal.

Although it looks and feels just like the current Escudo, the Hybrid variant with the ALLGRIP 4WD system is the only variant offered in this update and it's yours for just 2.97 million Japanese Yen plus additional costs.

So, what is this so-called Hybrid System the latest Suzuki Escudo's armed with? The 1.5L Dual Jet engine that produces 101PS of power output is connected to a 24.6kW drive motor and a high-capacity li-ion battery. Taking advantage of the ALLGRIP system, the Escudo Hybrid balances eco-driving and high running performance in any road conditions, be it tarmac, gravel, or snow. Mated to a 6-speed AGS, which combines the advantages of an automatic and manual, the Escudo Hybrid delivers 19.6kmpl of fuel economy based on WLTC Mode standards.

Despite being a hybrid, the Escudo Hybrid drives like an Escudo almost everywhere, although its suspension setup wasn't as sophisticated as the Europeans. Still, it's rather good enough for a compact crossover that is more than ready to take on another quiet Sunday drive outdoors.

The Escudo Hybrid features Suzuki Safety Support that comes with an array of advanced safety features such as Adaptive Cruise Control, Blind Spot Monitor, Rear Cross-Traffic Alert, Lane Deviation Suppression Function, Lane Departure Warning Function, Stagger alarm function, preceding vehicle start notification function, sign recognition function, dual sensor brake support, and false start suppression function.

Like it or not, the Escudo Hybrid is the only Escudo you'll be driving right now. Despite being average for a fully imported Suzuki crossover, it's worth a meditating experience to drive one on a quiet weekend drive to a nearby province with the whole family.

Available colors: Galactic Grey Metallic, Cosmic Black Pearl Metallic, Cool White Pearl, Ice Greyish Blue Metallic/Black 2 Tone Roof, Savanna Ivory Metallic/Black 2 Tone Roof, and Sphere Blue Pearl/Grey 2 Tone Roof.

Photo: Suzuki Motor Corporation