- Suzuki will supply its first-ever BEV SUV to Toyota, likely based on the eVX concept.
- The SUV will be manufactured by Suzuki in India, and will be offered worldwide.
- Its EV-specific platform was co-developed by Suzuki, Toyota, and Daihatsu.
Suzuki and Toyota have announced plans to take their collaborative efforts up a notch, expanding their shared lineup with a new all-electric SUV. Specifically, Suzuki will be supplying Toyota with its upcoming battery-powered SUV, a model that’s likely an evolution of the Suzuki eVX concept. Production is slated to kick off in spring 2025, with a global launch to follow.
More: Suzuki Is Reportedly Working On A Fully Electric Minivan
The Suzuki eVX concept was originally unveiled in January 2023, but an updated version followed in October 2023, bringing it one step closer to production. Unlike many of its rivals in the compact segment, the eVX has been designed exclusively as a BEV, so there’ll be no internal combustion or hybrid variants. This is a ground-up electric vehicle, developed through a joint venture involving Suzuki, Toyota, and Daihatsu.
4WD Capability and Range
It has been confirmed that Suzuki’s first battery-powered model will be available with a 4WD system, promising better off-road credentials than your typical urban-oriented electric crossover. The company also claims it will deliver “ample cruising range and a comfortable cabin”, suggesting a focus on everyday practicality as well as capability. The concept version was equipped with a 60 kWh battery pack, projected to offer a range of around 500 km (311 miles).
Measuring 4,300 mm (169.3 inches) in length, the eVX slots in alongside models like the Suzuki SX4 S-Cross/Vitara and Toyota Yaris Cross. At the moment, it is not clear whether Toyota’s version will feature a significantly redesigned bodywork, or if it will be another case of badge engineering. If Toyota’s history with rebadging Suzuki models is any indication, expect a few cosmetic tweaks—maybe new bumpers, some unique trim—without a complete overhaul.
This collaboration marks the first time Toyota and Suzuki have joined forces on a BEV. Production of the new models will begin at Suzuki’s Gujarat plant in India, with a launch targeted for spring 2025. The two companies are planning a worldwide rollout, aiming to capitalize on the “remarkable growth” of the global SUV market. Furthermore, the zero-emission offerings will help both companies get closer to their carbon-neutral goals.
Suzuki President Toshihiro Suzuki expressed gratitude for the deepened collaboration with Toyota, noting that while the two companies remain competitors, they are committed to “solving social issues” and advancing toward a carbon-neutral society through a “multi-pathway approach.”
Toyota President Koji Sato echoed this sentiment, highlighting the shared development of the BEV platform. “This will allow us to deliver various choices that contribute to a carbon-neutral society to customers worldwide,” he said. “We would like to learn from each other’s strengths, compete, and further joint efforts based on a multi-pathway approach.”
More: 2025 Suzuki eVX Rendered In Production Form Looking Like An Electric Vitara
Both Toyota and Suzuki have their roots in Enshu, which is the western part of Shizuoka Prefecture in Japan. Their partnership, which began in 2016, initially focused on the mutual supply of vehicles and the gradual push toward electrification. Since then, they’ve been swapping badges across markets from Japan to Europe, Africa, and the Middle East, as well as in Suzuki’s stronghold of India.
2023 Suzuki eVX Concept
