Suzuki starts deliveries of its first EV, the eVitara, from £26,249

Suzuki has begun deliveries of its first battery-electric vehicle, the eVitara, a compact SUV the company says was designed from the ground up and is priced from £26,249 as it arrives at dealers across the country. Suzuki is offering two trim levels and two battery options, and the model is being promoted for its combination of affordability, everyday practicality and offroad capability.

The eVitara is available in Motion and Ultra trims with either a 49kWh or 61kWh battery. Suzuki says the smaller pack is capable of about 213 miles on a single charge and the larger about 264 miles, with slightly lower figures for the all-wheel-drive version. The manufacturer includes a heat pump as standard and is supplying an Ohme home charger with new vehicles. After application of the UK plug-in grant, Suzuki advertises the 61kWh model for just under £30,000. The company also offers an extended warranty of up to 10 years.

Suzuki says the eVitara is a clean-sheet design rather than a conversion of an existing petrol model. The exterior adopts chunkier arches and sharper creases that reference the Vitara’s offroad heritage, while the cabin is described as roomy and purposeful with a central...