Japanese budget car manufacturer Suzuki pretty much shocked the market last month after announcing a huge price cut for the Ertiga Hybrid, which helped boost sales of the model threefold, according to Suzuki Motor Thailand.
In this review, we check out why the Ertiga Hybrid remains a strong contender in the 7-seat mini-MPV market that also includes the Mitsubishi Xpander, Honda BR-V and Toyota Veloz.
The Ertiga Hybrid is assembled in Indonesia and was first introduced in Thailand in November last year at the Motor Expo, replacing the standard Ertiga to become the first and only hybrid-powered mini-MPV in the market.
The hybrid upgrade made the Ertiga more attractive especially when compared to its handsome XL7 sibling, but sales did not catch on, leading to the eventual price cut.
Design
In terms of exterior dimensions, the Ertiga measures 4,395mm in length, 1,735mm in width and 1,690mm in height, with a wheelbase of 2,740mm.
The GX variant we drove came with an elegant chrome winged front grille flanked by automatic switching projector headlights with a Light Guide function. There's also a sporty front bumper with a black insert that looks pretty good.
The side profile features an aggressive shoulder line along with a rear floating roof design and chrome door handles. There are 15in two-tone alloy wheels fitted with 185/65 tyres.
The rear end features chrome garnish on the tailgate as well as L-shaped LED taillights with Light Guide. Unlike the black front inserts, the rear bumper features the same colour as the body.
Being a 7-seat mini-MPV, there's plenty of space inside, particularly the headroom and legroom. Compared to the standard version, you get a slightly more luxurious interior trim consisting of a grey wood design on the console and door panels.
The seats offer good support for long journeys but come only with fabric upholstery that can be easily stained with kids on board.
The second-row seats are 60-40 split-foldable and come with a backrest recliner, while the seat cushion can be easily slid back and forth by 240mm. Third-row seats are 50-50 and can be folded to create a flat cargo space and decent luggage area (550 litres).
The D-shaped multi-function steering wheel also gets grey inserts while the instrument cluster consists of two analogue meters flanking a newly-added colour display screen that shows various driving information, including the battery status. Cruise control is another new feature that's been added to the Hybrid version.
The 10-inch touchscreen works smoothly and comes with Apple CarPlay/Android Auto. Graphics are nice and clear when using Google Maps. While the headlights are auto-switching, the front wiper doesn't come with intermittent adjustment.
There are hard buttons for the climate control which are easy to use while driving -- rear passengers also get onboard air vents with their own fan speed controls. There are also air vents to cool drinks placed in the two front centre cupholders -- in total there are eight cupholders in the cabin.
The Ertiga Hybrid comes with a wireless smartphone charger as well as USB-A, HDMI and 12V sockets. There's another 12V socket for the second-row passengers, but more USB ports would be a good idea. Another good upgrade would be a storage box between the front seats that also serves as an armrest.
There are only dual front airbags (side or curtain airbags would be good options), along with Electronic Stability Program and Hill Hold Control. Brakes are just disc/drum which is pretty basic, but do offer a nice, firm pedal feel.
Performance
The Ertiga Hybrid comes with a mild-hybrid electrical system that helps assist the K15B 1.5-litre engine (105hp and 138Nm) during acceleration while helping to power various electrical equipment.
The system comprises an integrated starter generator and a small lithium-ion battery (there is also the regular 12V battery), which helps improve fuel economy. According to the Eco Sticker, the Suzuki Ertiga Hybrid has an average fuel consumption of 17.9kpl and 134g/km of CO emissions (compared to 15.9kpl and 146g/km for the 2018 Ertiga), although we managed just 12.8kpl in Bangkok.
Nevertheless, in terms of performance, it's easy to feel a slight boost during acceleration as well as significant engine braking as you lift off the throttle while regenerative energy is being collected. The four-speed automatic gearbox is nicely calibrated and is intelligent enough to shift down a gear during deceleration.
The Ertiga Hybrid weighs in at 1,150kg and offers a decent low-speed ride, although the front strut and rear torsion beam setup can become harsh when faced with deep potholes or sharp speed bumps.
While the Ertiga Hybrid has the capacity to carry seven people, the body is still compact and is easy to manoeuvre in heavy traffic or tight parking spaces with its 5.2m turning radius.
Verdict
Suzuki has made the Ertiga more attractive with the introduction of the mild hybrid powertrain as well as lower pricing, but there are several safety and convenience features that should be added to complete the job.
Suzuki Ertiga Hybrid GX
Engine: 1.5-litre 4-cylinder 16-valve
Max power: 105hp@6,000rpm
Max torque: 138Nm@4,000rpm
Transmission: 4-speed automatic
Economy: 17.9kpl
How the ISG system works
The power generated by the ISG restarts the engine after the Engine Auto Stop-Start system stalls it.
During deceleration, power generated by the ISG is stored. This power is used whenever engine assist is needed.
During acceleration, the electricity stored during deceleration drives the motor to assist the engine.
The electricity stored in the two batteries is supplied to the electrical components.
