It has been two months since Suzuki first released the Ertiga Hybrid in India. Normally, an Indian debut is followed by an ASEAN release, and true to fashion, the brand has done so again. Indonesia is the first country in the region to get it, and this is undoubtedly a step closer to the Philippines getting the newest Ertiga.
2022 Suzuki Ertiga Hybrid launches in Indonesia
Photo: Suzuki
The Ertiga has continued to enjoy significant sales numbers in all countries where it is available. With the launch of the Ertiga Hybrid, it will be sold alongside its petrol-fed counterpart in the rest of the region. The Philippines still has Suzuki’s gasoline-powered Ertiga in the local lineup, and with electric and electrified vehicles getting a lot of the limelight as of late, this will be a welcome addition, for sure.
Photo: Suzuki
On the outside, there isn’t much of a difference in its looks. There are two variants available: the GX and the (Suzuki) Sport. The former looks almost identical to what we have here, except maybe for a slightly redesigned bumper, a new grill, and a set of new two-tone alloy wheels.
The Sport, on the other hand, gets a sporty and more aggressive makeover. Included in its kit are wraparound skirts, a different set of wheels, and blacked-out upper and lower grills.
At the rear, you’ll also see a new tailgate garnish, much wider and more prominent than the PHDM model.
Photo: Suzuki
It’s pretty much the same story on the inside, too. Not much has been changed. Both variants’ cabins are draped predominantly in black, but the GX makes use of what looks to be piano black accent pieces, and the Sport opted for faux carbon trim. Both also get a new gauge cluster with a multi-information display, but the red accents and contrast stitching are only available with the Sport.
Photo: Suzuki
The GX and Suzuki Sport Ertiga Hybrid will be powered by the familiar K15B engine. The trusty 1.5-liter petrol engine will now be helped by an integrated starter generator and a Lithium-Ion battery. The hybrid technology now produces about 105 PS and 138 Nm of torque, which is a good 8 Nm more than the non-hybrid model.
Suzuki seems to have chosen to stick with their transmission formulae, though. As always, there are only two options available, and they are either a 5-speed manual or a 4-speed automatic transmission. Both transmission types have worked so far, and Suzuki prides itself in that fact, which is why only these two choices are the only ones being fitted into the Ertiga Hybrid.
Photo: Suzuki
Pricing for the Suzuki Ertiga Hybrid and their very rough conversion to PHP is as follows:
GX M/T: IDR 270,300,000 (PHP 979,792.60)
GX A/T: IDR 281,300,000 (PHP 1,019,665.77)
Suzuki Sport M/T: IDR 281,300,000 (PHP 1,019,665.77)
Suzuki Sport A/T: IDR 292,300,000 (PHP 1,059,538.95)
These prices are of course subject to change once (or if, but we are quite positive that it will) it enters the Philippine market. If anything, it can be said that the brand’s rather competitive pricing will continue with the introduction of the Ertiga Hybrid. With petroleum product prices soaring, perhaps a more affordable and tested brand like Suzuki could make electrified options more feasible and accessible to the masses.
We can’t wait for this hybrid to make its way here. Very exciting times for fans of the brand, and those who have been waiting for a gateway into electrification, indeed.
This is excellent news since the Ertiga is already famous for its fuel-efficient performance, and no doubt the addition of a hybrid system to the Ertiga would be a plus for sure. I do hope the newer models would arrive in the Philippines sooner than later.