In February, Suzuki confirmed it had ended production of the three-door Jimny, Ignis, S-Cross, Vitara and Swift Sport for Australia, with a lack of autonomous emergency braking (AEB) systems which meet new requirements understood to be the reason.
While Suzuki stockpiled the models to keep them in showrooms throughout the year, it faces having relatively empty showrooms with just the Jimny XL and Swift.
However, the brand has now confirmed updated timing for the upcoming arrival of three new models, which will not only give it more vehicles to sell in Australia, but also better place the brand for the New Vehicle Efficiency standard.
The three models will be the Fronx and Vitara hybrids, as well as the new electric e Vitara.
The Fronx hybrid is set to go on sale from September, well after it was first unofficially expected to go on sale in early 2024, which officially became early 2025 and then June or July this year.
Local specifications have still yet to be confirmed, however the Baleno-based city SUV is powered by a 1.5-litre four-cylinder petrol engine which is mated to a small electric motor and 12-volt battery, providing up to 76kW and 137Nm in overseas markets. It’s available with a five-speed manual or six-speed automatic transmission, with drive sent to the front wheels.
It’s expected to undercut similarly sized rivals such as the Toyota Yaris Cross and Hyundai Venue, while Suzuki says it’ll feature “stand out driving performance” as well as the brand’s latest safety systems – which means an AEB system capable of meeting Australian Design Rule 98/00.
Both the Vitara hybrid and e Vitara – which are technically unrelated – have been slated to launch in the first quarter of 2026. It marks the first time the e Vitara has been confirmed for Australia, but yet another delay for the Vitara hybrid, initially due here in 2024 and since delayed multiple times.
Like the Fronx, Suzuki hasn’t confirmed local specs, however the brand has more global choice, as the Vitara hybrid is not only sold as a mild-hybrid but also a more traditional Toyota-style series hybrid.
In the case of the mild-hybrid, a turbocharged 1.4-litre four-cylinder engine features a 10kW/53Nm electric motor, fed by a 48-volt battery. The system develops up to 95kW and 235Nm, and drives the front wheels.
The full-hybrid Vitara meanwhile adopts a 1.5-litre four-cylinder engine, with a 24kW/60Nm electric motor supplied by a 140-volt battery, producing up to 85kW total. It’s sold in front- and all-wheel drive configurations.
Meanwhile, the e Vitara is set to become the brand’s first EV on sale in Australia, having been revealed globally in November last year as the production version of the eVX concept.
Riding on a new ‘Heartect-e’ EV platform – developed in collaboration with Toyota and Daihatsu – Suzuki’s circa-4.3 metre long e Vitara is available in two front- and one all-wheel drive guise, each offering different electric motor and battery combinations.
The front-drive develops 106kW/189Nm with a 49kWh lithium iron phosphate (LFP) battery, while a 61kWh battery brings electric motor power up to 128kW. All-wheel drive versions – marketed as Allgrip-e –score the larger battery and a rear motor, increasing outputs to 135kW and 300Nm.
Suzuki Australia is set to confirm local pricing and specifications closer to the launch of each model.
There’s no word yet on the S-Cross hybrid, which was previously reported to be due for an announcement at the same time as the Vitara hybrid.
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