Suzuki Philippines officially launched the 2023 Suzuki Ertiga Hybrid on Jan. 16, 2023 as its new entry into the electrification era.

It was originally previewed at the 2022 Philippine International Motor Show to give fans and interested customers a taste of what they can expect from the country's first electrified multi-purpose vehicle (MPV).

Now officially on the market, the 2023 Suzuki Ertiga Hybrid is the brand’s most affordable mild-hybrid vehicle, as of press time, and could be a game-changer for the Japanese automaker as market trends are favoring fuel efficiency and electrification.

Also read: Starts at ₱954,000/ ₱98K DP/₱19,573 a month : The 2023 Suzuki Ertiga Hybrid to launch in the Philippines on Jan. 16

Sportier exterior

The words sporty and hybrid don’t typically mix.

However, it works in the Suzuki Ertiga Hybrid, which has a sportier exterior to separate it from the rest of the model lineup.

This begins with a front chin, a new rear bumper, new side skirts and new 15-inch polished alloy wheels. Take note, however, that the polished alloy wheels are exclusive only to the top-spec GLX variant, while other models get a different design. 

Aside from this, the electrified MPV also gets new hybrid badging, so you know what it is. 

Revised interior with more tech

As this is the mild-hybrid model of the Suzuki Ertiga, its interior has been reworked slightly to give it a more technological edge over its predecessor.

It now comes with cruise control, a new full-color multi-information display, an electronic stability program and the Smart Hybrid Vehicle System that delivers a spirited response with better fuel economy. 

Its instrument cluster also comes with a new blue theme with bolder numbers.

As for its other features, the Suzuki Ertiga Hybrid comes with a 10-inch infotainment system that supports Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.

It also gets digital climate control, a keyless push-start system, ventilated cupholders, two-tone leather seats, and a leather-wrapped steering wheel.

Over 22 km/l possible

Under the hood, the Suzuki Ertiga Hybrid has its 1.5-liter, twin-cam, 16-valve K15B four-cylinder gasoline engine paired with an integrated starter generator (ISG) and lithium-ion battery pack.

The ISG replaces the alternator and functions like a generator that charges the battery. It also doubles as an electric motor that provides assistance to the vehicle when accelerating from a standing start.

The 12-volt lithium-ion battery pack is in charge of supplying power to the ISG and other electrical components of the vehicle.

This battery pack also stores electrical energy generated by the ISG and provides regenerative braking for added fuel efficiency.

An auto start-stop feature is also available to help you further save on fuel.

This mild-hybrid setup for the MPV gives it a total system output of 103 PS and 138 Nm of torque. Transmission options are still the same as the regular model, so you can choose between a 4-speed automatic or a 5-speed manual gearbox.

While it isn’t groundbreaking regarding power output, Suzuki chose its setup to double down on fuel efficiency. 

Speaking of fuel efficiency, our test done by our friends at AutoFun Indonesia revealed that the Suzuki Ertiga Hybrid could do 22.5 km/l on the highway.

These are excellent numbers, especially if you want to go over long distances with the Suzuki MPV. 

Most affordable mild-hybrid MPV yet

The Suzuki Ertiga Hybrid, as of press time, is the brand’s most affordable mild-hybrid vehicle.

Here are the launch prices: 

• Ertiga Hybrid 1.5 GA M/T – ₱954,000
• Ertiga Hybrid 1.5 GL M/T – ₱1,068,000
• Ertiga Hybrid 1.5 GL A/T – ₱1,103,000
• Ertiga Hybrid 1.5 GLX A/T – ₱1,153,000

As for its color options, the Suzuki Ertiga Hybrid is available in Brave Khaki Pearl, Burgundy Red Pearl, Cool Black Pearl, Metallic Magma Gray 2, Silky Silver Metallic, and Snow White Pearl.

Will the Suzuki Ertiga Hybrid be a hit now that it's the most affordable mild-hybrid vehicle on the market?