2022 Suzuki Ertiga Hybrid: 22.5 km/L from an automatic 7-seat MPV?!

The claim to fame for many hybrid-electric vehicles is their ability to produce stunning fuel-economy figures out of gasoline engines.

With the price of diesel in the Philippines as of press time costing substantially more than unleaded, hybrids are a tempting proposition for drivers who want to cut back on fuel costs.

The Suzuki Ertiga Hybrid, which was unveiled at the 8th Philippine International Motor Show, grabbed headlines as the first hybrid, seven-seat multi-purpose vehicle (MPV), which is one of the hottest segments in the country.

Suzuki Philippines has yet to announce its official release date.

Our friend Budi from AutoFun Indonesia was able to take the Ertiga Hybrid on a fuel-economy run. The model was launched there on October 2022.

Here’s what he discovered on his 140-kilometer trip.

Mild-hybrid system great in the city

The route consisted of some downhill thoroughfares, along with 80 kilometers of toll roads. Each test unit had three passengers onboard, with tanks filled to full and sealed with tape. The air-conditioner was set at 20 degrees Celsius with the lowest blower speed.

Most of the participants maintained an average speed of 60 to 80 km/h, including the use of the cruise control when crossing toll roads.

The Indonesian-market Ertiga Hybrid uses the same 1.5-liter, twin-cam, 16-valve inline-4 engine found in the local Ertiga.

However, it has two new features that now make it a mild-hybrid vehicle: an Integrated Starter Generator and a lithium-ion battery mounted under the passenger seat. The system produces a total of 105 PS and 138 Nm of torque, which can be paired with either a 5-speed manual or a 4-speed automatic in Indonesia.

The Ertiga Hybrid also comes with a stop-start system, which came in handy in the city because it allowed systems like the air-conditioner to keep running while the engine was turned off.

However, if the battery charge falls below two bars on the multi-function display, the engine will not turn off.

Automatic gearbox cruises quite high

Out on the expressway, the Ertiga Hybrid felt like any other Ertiga.

However, the use of an antiquated 4-speed automatic meant that cruising at 100 km/h puts the car at 2,500 RPM in top gear. Competitors in this segment are typically equipped with continuously variable transmissions that cruise at lower revs.

And at medium speeds, the automatic gearbox does not respond quickly should additional acceleration be needed.

Nonetheless, at the end of the route, the automatic Ertiga Hybrid recorded 22.52 km/L, while the manual got 18.77 km/L. Given that the Ertiga Hybrid is a boxy MPV that can seat seven, these figures were very good, especially with the potential savings in urban driving.

Do you think the Suzuki Ertiga Hybrid can hit these numbers when it lands in the Philippines?