Suzuki e VITARA vs Toyota bZ4X

For the first time ever, Suzuki has launched its first-ever EV, the e VITARA. So, what's it all about, the Suzuki e-VITARA?

2026 Suzuki e VITARA

Starting at 3,993,000 Japanese Yen plus additional costs, the Suzuki e VITARA is the company's first electric vehicle as it braces the electrification trend that most carmakers are embracing in this unstable era we live in. It goes without saying that this is the fourth time Suzuki has imported this from India's Maruti Suzuki production line. Long before its arrival, the currently available India-made Suzukis sold in Japan are the Fronx and the 5-door Jimny Nomade.

2026 Suzuki e VITARA

2026 Suzuki e VITARA interior

Beginning with the styling, the e VITARA draws inspiration from the eVX Concept, albeit with some notable differences. Yes, the back and the sidelines mimic the concept's looks; the front face didn't adopt the eVX's front and went for a front similar to a certain not-for-Japan Toyota SUV from a long time ago. Long story short, but you have to give credit to the design team for such a simple but rugged look.

Inside, the e VITARA's dashboard bears an auspiciously similar appearance to the pre-facelifted Kia Sorento MQ4 of 2020. Appearances aside, the driver's side is packed with ambient lighting with multi-color illumination, a 26.04cm multi-information display that combines the virtual instrumental panel and the touch-screen sat-nav system, a twin deck floating console with Shift-by-Wire, and a wireless charger, among others. On the passenger side, because it's bigger than a Daihatsu Rocky, the boot space is a default 310 liters with the rear seats present and up to 1052 liters with all passenger seats folded.

2026 Suzuki e VITARA

Running on a newly developed HEARTECT-e platform made exclusively for BEVs, the e VITARA offers two battery packs. The entry-level front-wheel-drive X variant is equipped with a 49kWh LFP battery that produces 144PS of power, 193Nm of torque, and up to 433km of driving range. The range-topping 4WD Z variant features a 61kWh LFP battery and an extra electric motor, producing 184PS of power, 307Nm of torque, and 472km of driving range, although the FF Z variant with the said battery minus the extra motor can do it in 520km.

Bringing common sense to its drivability, the e VITARA comes with Rack & Pinion Power Steering, front MacPherson struts, rear multilink suspension, and ventilated disc brakes. It behaves normally as a front-wheel-drive variant, but with the ALLGRIP-e for the 4WD Z variant, it performs like a beast, just as the Indians said upon experiencing it firsthand. As for safety, Level 2 ADAS features are present as well as familiar safety features such as high tensile steel strength, tire pressure monitoring system, 360-view camera, parking sensors, electronic parking brake, and brake hold.

From concept turned reality, the e VITARA is all about its polyhedral muscular stance, futuristic and spacious cabin, it performs like a beast, and safety beyond imagination. This is what Suzuki's first EV sums up, but can it keep up against Toyota's first EV, the bZ4X?

2026 Toyota bZ4X

Formely a lease-only car that you can still rent via the KINTO subscription service, the new Toyota bZ4X is now ripe for private ownership, starting at 4,800,000 Japanese Yen plus additional costs.

2026 Toyota bZ4X

2026 Toyota bZ4X interior

The facelifted bZ4X is now officially available for ownership, although you can still lease one via KINTO if you want.

While the exterior design's been revised to keep it fresh for its potential owners, it's the new interior layout that makes a statement. Pity that Toyota canned the option to have a yoke in it (boo...), but amid the dashboard changes, the boot space is still good for 452 liters with the rear seats present.

The EV powertrain gets a shakeup for the recent facelift. The entry-level G model features a 58kWh Lithium battery packing 167PS of power and 544km. The front-wheel-drive Z, meanwhile, features a 73kWh battery with 224PS of power and 687km of driving range. The alpha of the range is the 4WD Z lineup with the same 73kWh battery but with an extra electric motor, producing a powerful 342PS and 687km of driving range.

The shakeup of the bZ4X's powertrain is thanks to its new eAxle with silicon carbide semiconductors for greater efficiency and higher power while also being lighter and more compact.

For a car that weighs over two tons, the bZ4X behaves like a normal crossover on a daily basis thanks to its Rack and Pinion steering, front struts, rear double wishbones, and ventilated disc brakes. It's not an enjoyable ride as expected, but it feels nice to drive and downright as regular as a regular show.

In terms of safety, the bZ4X is packed with safety features such as Pre-Crash Safety, Blind Spot Monitor, and Toyota Teammate Advanced Park, among many others.

To get the most out of the new bZ4X, this car is qualified for TEEMO, a new charging service that begins at Toyota and Lexus dealerships with a rich network Japan-wide. No admission fee is required, and the monthly basic fee is free. The required cost is only for the time you actually use it, so there is no charge for the month you do not use TEEMO. The TEEMO service is not limited only to Toyota and Lexus EVs like the new bZ4X but also to EVs from most manufacturers. In addition, TEEMO members can also use e-Mobility Power-linked chargers across Japan.

So, which one would you choose? The first-ever Suzuki e VITARA for its reasonable price and sizing, or the updated Toyota bZ4X that poses greater value and user-friendliness? Can't say which, but if it's value you want, it's the Suzuki e VITARA, but if you want everything for an EV crossover, go stick with the Toyota bZ4X that you can now fully own.

Photo: Suzuki Motor Corporation/Toyota Motor Corporation

Suzuki adds 1.4L turbo on Escudo

2018 Suzuki Escudo

The current-generation Suzuki Escudo, fully imported from Europe, has received a brand new 1.4L turbocharged petrol engine for the 2018 model year.

This new variant for Suzuki's Euro import crossover comes with the brand new 1.4L Booster Jet turbocharged engine producing 136PS of power (19PS more than the 1.6L variant) and 210Nm of torque. Mated to a six-speed automatic gearbox, fuel economy is expected at 16.8kmpl based on Japan's JC08 Mode standards.

To differentiate the turbocharged variant to the non-turbocharged Escudo, it's been given an X-TRAIL-inspired front face, red accents on the interior, and a brand new Bright Red 5 Black 2-tone roof exterior color.

Like the non-turbocharged Escudo, it still remains the ALLGRIP system as well as Radar Brake Support II system for this variant.

The Escudo 1.4L Turbo variant starts at 2,586,600 Japanese Yen.

URL: http://www.suzuki.co.jp/release/a/2017/0726/

New Suzuki Escudo (YD/YE21S)

Earlier this year, Suzuki introduced to the Japanese market the ALLGRIP system via the new SX4 S-CROSS compact crossover, which is quite a capable all-wheel drive system that you can use it almost anywhere. Now, another Euro-imported Suzuki with the same tech has arrived to the Japanese market and this time, it's the turn of the brand new Escudo.

2016 Suzuki Escudo

Yes. This is another Suzuki crossover imported from Europe but even though this is a Euro-import, this is a regeneration to Suzuki's SUV that has its name marked to every petrolhead in the planet because of its involvement to the world of Pikes Peak in its glorious past as well as gamers everywhere. Sadly though, today's Escudo isn't as exciting as we hoped for because even though it has some Evoque-esque looks, it looks somewhat as cheap as the Ssangyong Tivoli, which is one of the Escudo's key rivals.

It's the same case goes to the interior because even though it has some practicality on it like most SUVs, it doesn't have the premium feel like you get in decent looking SUVs, although the analog clock on the center adds a nice touch to it.

2016 Suzuki Escudo interior

2016 Suzuki Escudo interior

Because the new Escudo looks small than what you expect, the engine that powers it is very small. It's a 1.6L M16A petrol engine derived from the Swift. It delivers a reasonable 117PS of power output and 151Nm of torque. Mated with a 6-speed automatic gearbox fuel economy is expect from 17.4km/L for 4WD model to 18.2 for 2WD model.  Even though the engine is small, it's quite peppy on the go but quite regrettable if you're pushing it too hard, even on traffic.

Like the new SX4 S-CROSS, the new Escudo features Suzuki's brand new ALLGRIP system for the 4WD model, and if you want a quick refresher, this new generation 4WD system features four driving modes selected by a knob which can adapt through any road surfaces whether if its tarmac, gravel, snow, or just when you want a sharper handling car at ease.

2016 Suzuki Escudo

Even though the Escudo is a cheap crossover full-stop, it's still high-tech in all the right places. There's also Suzuki's Radar Brake Support II system which features a device that can detect incoming vehicles or pedestrians and automatically trigger the brakes in a near collision scenario. One thing you will notice on the Escudo's tech features is the FAR/NEAR switch, which allows its detection of objects can be switched from either far or nearby objects. It's like scoping through an object like binoculars per se. Other tech features include an Emergency Stop Signal which warns drivers from behind, auto light system which automatically switches on when goring through the tunnels, and an auto wiper which automatically turns on the windshield wipers when it senses the rainy weather.

The introductory price for the new Escudo is 2,127,600 Japanese Yen, which is less costly than the previous Escudo, which is still available on the market under the "Escudo 2.4" banner for a short time only. So, should you buy one? We'll let you know if you're interested in this Suzuki SUV imported from Euro but in the meantime, there are so many SUVs which can do better than the Escudo. When your luck for SUV buying for the imminent winter has run out, you'd better off with the new Escudo instead.

Available Colors: Atlantis Turquoise Pearl Metallic/Black 2-Tone Roof,  Galactic Grey Metallic, Cosmic Black Pearl Metallic, and Cool White Pearl.

Photo: Suzuki Motor Corporation

Escudo Pikes Peak Version is a rare find at the GT5 Used Car dealership!

Escudo Dirt Trial Car in Monza

Back when I was kid, and playing Gran Turismo 2 on my PSX, I tried to win more and more races just so I can get this one-of-a-kind rally car from Suzuki, the Escudo Pikes Peak Version. Every GT fanatics love the Escudo Pikes Peak Version because of the over-the-1000HP power output.

At Gran Turismo 3 A-Spec on PS2, the Escudo Pikes Peak Version is dethroned by the Formula Gran Turismo race car and the reason is because of the Formula GT's lightweight capability, making it a more agile, faster race car that can achieve better lap times that the Escudo Pikes Peak Version can't. The Formula GT can be used only on tarmac while the Escudo is made not just on tarmac, but on dirt because this is a rally car we all loved.

Trying to keep up with its reputation...

On Gran Turismo 4, the Escudo Pikes Peak Version, now renamed as Dirt Trial Car, can be obtained as a prize car. Well, I forgot what race what that but anyway, you know what it is. And now, in Gran Turismo 5, the former King of Gran Turismo cars is here to stay at the used car dealership and it's not easy buying that car because I think the pricing goes to a 1.4 million credit mark and the required A-Spec Level is 23.

...even for the former King of Gran Turismo cars

I felt like I may be not in a mood of driving the former King of Gran Turismo cars (since it was dethroned by the Formula GT and now, the Red Bull X1 Prototype) but since I want to collect more, I have the urge to buy the Escudo Dirt Trial Car.

(Laughs) Just like old times, Escudo. I thought I never forget you. At least the probability to find the Escudo Dirt Trial Car on the Used Car dealership is somewhat 5%, so check back every time until you find this former King.

Despite reputation, the Escudo's still a GT King for me...

If I am unhappy, I could just gift it to an online buddy who didn't have one...