The newest Suzuki in Australia is another of the surprise packets of 2026.

It’s not just because it comes from India. Or because it has a mechanical package shared with Toyota.

It’s a surprise that the e Vitara drives so nicely, and is so well finished, and yet is destined to be ‘just another’ battery-electric SUV.

Taking the bottom line first, the e Vitara is too costly and does not drive far enough.

In a showroom world dominated by look-at-me Chinese makes and models, the sensible little Suzuki will struggle to have much impact.

The basic price is $49,990 on the road and the basic range is only 344 kilometres. You can get an e Vitara with a claimed range of 395 kilometres, but that means a price-tag of $58,990.

The EV world is now dominated by battery boxes which clock over 500 kilometres between charges, leaving the e Vitara well behind.

It’s such a pity, because the little Suzuki takes the Vitara in a new direction while continuing with many of the brand’s long-term strengths.

It is quiet, easy to drive, sensible and promises to be a low-maintenance newcomer, as Suzuki has always had one of the lowest rates of warranty claims in Australia.

And yet …

The e Vitara starts life on a battery platform shared with the Toyota Bz4X, itself barely a blip on the EV landscape in Australia. The connection brings a lithium-ion phosphate battery with either 49 or 61 kilowatt-hour capacity, driving an electric motor with either 49 or 61 kiloWatts. There is both front and all-wheel drive.

Suzuki expects the two-wheel drive Ultra to be the favourite with buyers, so that’s what arrives in the @60 driveway.

It’s a smooth operator from the get-go and the doors shut with a ‘clunk’ and not a bang, it has a lovely ride over bad surfaces and asks nothing special from the driver.

The connection with Toyota is obvious in one way – the drive controller in the centre console, in both the way it looks and works – but the rest is strongly Suzuki.

There are comfy seats in the front, the big rectagonal display screen is both discrete and functional, and the air vents in the dash are perfect for Aussie conditions.

The back seat space is good for three people and there is reasonable boot room for short trips.

The performance is underwhelming for an EV, nicely linear and all that but without the expected shove. It’s more like a Jimny than a Tesla.

Still, it’s light on its feet, stops well and has reasonable regenerative braking.

Suzuki claims 45 minutes for 10-80 per cent charge, which is ok without being great.

Unlike earlier members of the Vitara family there is no claim for off-road enjoyment and excitement, which is also fine.

So the e Vitara is a car that would be fine and dandy, but nothing special.

But there is no escaping the bottom line on price and range, where the Suzuki numbers are just not good enough in 2026.

SUZUKI E-VITARA

Price: from $49,990 driveway
Position: four-door electric SUV
Engine: 61kW
Gearbox: single-speed auto, front-wheel drive
Range: 344 km
Safety: not tested
The tick: that price …