Should Suzuki PH bring the Ertiga Hybrid? [Poll of the Week]

The eighth Philippine International Motor Show (PIMS) featured several notable vehicles including the electric vehicle (EV) duo, the Kia EV6, and the Ioniq 5. Suzuki has also brought and revealed its mystery model for the recently held PIMS, and that is the Ertiga Hybrid. 

Suzuki previews the Ertiga Hybrid at 2022 PIMS

But, Suzuki Philippines clarified that the Ertiga Hybrid is just a preview model. It has yet to decide if the said vehicle will be launched in the country. The Japanese car brand specifically said that its main goal is to showcase Suzuki’s hybrid tech that’s present in the Ertiga model displayed at PIMS.

Suzuki Philippines even shared with Philkotse that the “Ertiga can be a good candidate but we cannot confirm yet as to what exact model [equipped with a hybrid tech] we will be offering for the PH market.”

The Suzuki Ertiga Hybrid first made its debut in India last April 2022. Two months after, it arrived in Indonesia, marking its official ASEAN debut. So, what’s so special about the Suzuki Ertiga Hybrid? Well, when you look at its exterior design you’ll argue that it looks similar to the current Ertiga offered in the local market. You’re right about that. But the biggest and the most significant difference lies under the hood. 

Suzuki Ertiga Hybrid

The Suzuki Ertiga Hybrid is equipped with a 1.5-liter gasoline engine that delivers 103 hp and 137 Nm of torque. It also has a lithium-ion battery and an integrated starter generator (ISG) that acts as a motor. The Indo-spec Ertiga Hybrid comes with two transmission options: a five-speed manual or a four-speed automatic gearbox.   

Suzuki said that the Ertiga Hybrid is designed to deliver a fuel-efficient drive with the said powertrain setup. The Japanese car brand claims that it can yield a fuel efficiency rating of 20.3 km/l for the Ertiga Hybrid which comes with an automatic transmission. On the other hand, the Ertiga Hybrid with a manual gearbox is said to deliver a fuel economy of 20.51 km/l.  

Suzuki Ertiga Hybrid comes with a more modern-looking dashboard layout

With that in mind, the Ertiga Hybrid could attract car buyers in the Philippines who are on the lookout for a fuel-efficient seven-seater MPV. Moreover, bringing in the Ertiga Hybrid could be a good move for Suzuki PH considering the current fuel prices in the country. Marketing a vehicle that’s fuel-efficient could be huge, especially in a segment that’s filled with a bunch of rivals such as the Toyota Avanza, Mitsubishi Xpander, Nissan Livina, among others.   

The only deciding factor that could be holding back Suzuki PH is if the Ertiga Hybrid can have enough demand from the local market. This also explains why it has only brought the Eritga Hybrid as a preview model at the recently concluded PIMS 2022. 

That said, do you think that Suzuki PH should bring the Ertiga Hybrid? Cast your vote now in Philkotse’s Poll of the Week.