Suzuki Hatch Reviews

Sales slide for once popular brands: Mainstream Japanese brands Nissan, Mazda and Suzuki dip in popularity as demand for Chinese brands like BYD, Chery & GWM skyrockets.

What feature of your car annoys you the most? I’ll go first. Our eight-year old Skoda locks itself after about 30 seconds. Sounds good, but it isn't. It’s led to all manner of annoying moments, but locking itself while the keys were inside the car probably wins — don’t ask.

The Australasian New Car Assessment Program (ANCAP) has published its latest round of safety scores and the two vehicles included are re-tested versions of popular hatchbacks based on testing conducted by Euro NCAP.

Suzuki has revealed a new SUV for the Indian market that offers a range of hybrid powertrains and some Toyota DNA.

Most of Australia’s new cars are, generally, getting safer and safer.

Suzuki came under a brief volley of fire for its use of the ‘hybrid’ badge when it launched the current Suzuki Swift, a car with only mild-hybrid capability.

With small SUVs becoming more and more prominent, Suzuki is bringing a new sub-$30K hybrid light SUV to the market - the Fronx. We’ve jumped in for a quick spin at its Australian launch to find out.

It’s been over five years now since COVID lockdowns started and in some way it feels like a lifetime ago. For a lot of people buying new cars during this period, however, there were long wait times. COVID lockdowns were a key reason for this, but another major reason for delays was the global shortage of semiconductors.

Suzuki has confirmed new timing for three models coming to Australia by early 2026 in an overhaul of the brand’s small SUV range.The Suzuki Vitara Hybrid and electric e Vitara will join the new Suzuki Fronx Hybrid as the Japanese brand aims to “solidify its presence in the Light SUV segment”, though the new timing announcement means there have been delays.Suzuki Australia hasn’t confirmed full local specs - or any specs at all - in the announcement, only broadly outlining the models. Here’s what to expect - starting with the Fronx, the soonest of the trio to arrive given its September 1 on-sale date.The Fronx Hybrid, as Suzuki is calling it, will most likely be a 48-volt or ‘mild-hybrid’ system in truth, utilising a 1.5-litre naturally aspirated four-cylinder petrol engine.It’s a light SUV with an almost ‘coupe’ silhouette thanks to a sloping roofline, and is built in India by the brand’s subsidiary Maruti.It’ll be followed by a hybridised version of the Suzuki Vitara arriving in Q1 2026 as well as the first electric model Suzuki Australia will sell, the e Vitara.Like the Fronx, the Vitara Hybrid will be a 48-volt system according to comments to CarsGuide from Suzuki Australia last year. A ‘full hybrid’ Vitara is available for sale in Europe.It follows the same name/drivetrain philosophy that led the brand to market the also mild-hybrid Swift hatchback as the Swift Hybrid in Australia.Finally, the fully-electric Vitara will also arrive in the first quarter of 2026.Three key versions of the EV are available - one with a 49kWh battery and 106kW/189Nm driving the front wheels, another FWD version with a 61kWh battery and 128kW/189Nm and an all-wheel drive version with the same bigger battery but an additional 48kW rear motor for a total output of 135kW and 300Nm.Suzuki Australia says local specifications and an official release date “will be the subject of future announcements”.

Who would have thought the sight of red and blue flashing lights in the rear view mirror could put a smile on your face?