Suzuki Philippines has recently brought the Ertiga Hybrid in the country — making it the country’s most affordable four-wheeled vehicle that has a (mild) hybrid set-up.
Currently the most affordable vehicle with the aforementioned powertrain set-up, buyers of the multi-purpose vehicle (MPV) can enjoy the perks presented under the Electric Vehicle Industry Development Act (EVIDA) with a starting price of less than P1 million.
But would the pricing and specifications be enough to cast a shadow over its rivals? Here’s what Carmudi Philippines experienced with the seven-seven offering’s GLX AT trim in a recent drive around South Luzon weeks after its official launch.
Similar to the vehicle’s previous version (which is naturally-aspirated), the Suzuki Ertiga Hybrid GLX AT is 4,395 millimeters (mm) long and 1,735mm wide that allows drivers to cut through light to medium traffic conditions safely. In addition, the vehicle is still 1,690mm tall with a 2,740mm wheelbase that continues to offer a roomy interior even for a six-foot-two occupant (as a driver or passenger).
The 180mm ground clearance would be enough to course through low floodwaters, which makes it a very good consideration for families living within the metro. Aside from that, the vehicle feels planted on the ground, which means drivers have a good sense of the road.
Hauling groceries for a family of seven would still be a piece of cake since its maximum luggage capacity (middle and third-row seats folded) remains at 803 liters — 153 liters if all seats are up).
Not much of adjustments were made with the multi-purpose vehicle (MPV) in the looks department, aside from the updated front grille and tailgate with chrome accent, as well as the “Hybrid” emblem that immediately informs everyone about its new powertrain.
The new Suzuki Ertiga Hybrid GLX AT comes in body colors — ranging from elegant to eccentric — namely Cool Black Pearl, Silky Silver Metallic, Snow White Pearl, Magma Gray Metallic, Burgundy Red Pearl and Brave Khaki Pearl (depending on the variant).
All four trims of the new Suzuki Ertiga Hybrid get 15-inch wheels (with the top option getting polished alloys).
The rich mix of black leather (found on the steering wheel and shift booth), faux wood panels (running on the lower portion of the steering wheel and the dashboard) and black fabric (on the seats) not only gives a very elegant appeal inside the cabin, it also makes it very easy to clean. In addition, chrome trimmings can also be seen at the inside door handles, shift knob, and park release brake button.
However, what only concerns me is that the shiny faux wood ornaments might be easily scratched by coins, keys, nails, or children’s toys that could be lying inside the cabin since it would likely be used as a family car.
While it was not made to zoom past most motorists on the road, the new Suzuki Ertiga Hybrid GLX AT wears a D-shape steering wheel, which is likely more inclined more on functionality than performance as it would give drivers more room above the knee. To add, it also houses buttons that would operate the MPV’s audio system, handsfree-phone and cruise control functions.
Despite being the top-of-the-line, the new Suzuki Ertiga Hybrid GLX AT’s cluster gauge still wears the good old manual tachometer and speedometer bordering the 4.2-inch full-color TFT LCD multi-information display. The digital portion shows the fuel consumption, range, outside temperature, among others. Given my old-fashioned taste, I still find this type more suitable to my preference as long as it does not look cluttered.
As mentioned earlier, the new Suzuki Ertiga Hybrid GLX AT was not really known to be fast, but more on being fuel-efficient.
After covering 81 kilometers from the Suzuki Auto dealership in Kawit, Cavite all the way to Bay, Laguna in a very fuel efficient manner, the vehicle we drove was able to clock in 25.46 kilometers per liter in a combination of highway and city driving.
On paper, the new Suzuki Ertiga Hybrid's mill can provide 103 horsepower and 138Nm of torque.
Such numbers can be attributed to the vehicle’s 1.5-liter K15B engine that comes with a Smart Hybrid Vehicle by Suzuki (SHVS) system, a lithium-ion battery pack, an auto-stop start system, an integrated starter generator (that replaces the conventional alternator) — is mated to a four-speed automatic transmission.
Despite its low pricing, the top trim of the new Suzuki Ertiga Hybrid is not short on technologies.
Aside from the revised engine setup, the new Suzuki Ertiga Hybrid GLX AT is now also on HEARTECT platform that increases underbody rigidity for improved driving performance while mitigating the ill effects of collision by dispersing energy efficiently.
Further, the new Suzuki Ertiga Hybrid GLX AT gets its stopping power from the ventilated discs at the front and drums for the rear with anti-brakelock system and electronic brakeforce distribution.
Moreover, the MPV has been engineered with a myriad of safety features namely hill-hold control, reversing park sensors and rearview camera, electronic stability program,and impact-absorbing front-end to complement the dual front airbags and Isofix anchorages.
Given that electric vehicle adoption in the country is still in its early stages and its P1.153 million-price tag, the new Suzuki Ertiga Hybrid GLX AT is a good bet compared to other vehicles that offer fully-electrified mobility functions. The pricing makes the benefits accorded to EV buyers such as number coding exemption and priority for vehicle registration renewal within reach.
Photos from Ruben D. Manahan IV
Also read:
Suzuki PH to bump off 'regular' Ertiga for hybrid version
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