Suzuki XL7 and Ertiga Not Recognized as Hybrid Cars Despite Having Electric Motors

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Suzuki XL7 Hybrid 2024 has attracted attention as the “SUV version” of the Ertiga Hybrid. The XL7 Hybrid possesses a more powerful appearance with a higher ground clearance compared to its sibling, while still retaining the advantages of an MPV.

In Southeast Asia, the Suzuki XL7 Hybrid 2024 was launched in Indonesia in June 2023. It has since expanded to other markets, and there are possibilities that it will soon be available in Vietnam.

According to Autoindustriya, a leading automotive newspaper in the Philippines, Suzuki has completed the necessary procedures to introduce the XL7 Hybrid to the country in 2023. However, due to certain reasons, the launch of the Suzuki XL7 Hybrid 2024 in the Philippines has been postponed.

The issue may lie in the confirmation of the engine type. Autoindustriya reports that the XL7 is likely to be distributed in the Philippines since it has been recognized by the Department of Transportation as a motor vehicle. However, the car is not classified as a hybrid as Suzuki had expected.

Suzuki XL7 Hybrid 2024 uses a mild-hybrid engine, similar to the Ertiga Hybrid. It features a 1.5L 4-cylinder engine assisted by an Integrated Starter Generator (ISG), which replaces the conventional generator and is accompanied by a small lithium-ion battery, an accumulator system, and a belt drive system.

The ISG does not operate independently like a motor in a “full hybrid” car but rather provides support when necessary. For instance, when the Start-Stop system is active, the ISG supplies energy for a quick, smooth, and seamless restart. And when the car needs additional power for acceleration, the ISG instantly provides supplementary energy, making it easier for the vehicle to accelerate smoothly.

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With this setup, the Suzuki XL7 Hybrid 2024 essentially satisfies the criteria of a mild-hybrid.

However, the XL7 Hybrid cannot solely drive the wheels with the ISG. Therefore, according to the regulations of the Philippine Department of Transportation, it is not considered a hybrid car. Consequently, the vehicle documents only confirm the XL7 2024 as a gasoline-powered motor vehicle. Thus, the term “hybrid” is unlikely to be included in the name of the XL7 2024 when it is sold in the Philippines.

This may affect the impression of potential buyers towards the Suzuki XL7 Hybrid 2024. Buyers may find it difficult to accept paying a higher price compared to the previous version, especially since hybrid vehicles attract those concerned with fuel efficiency and emissions but are not yet ready to fully transition to electric cars.

The fate of the Suzuki XL7 Hybrid 2024 remains uncertain and will likely be revealed at the official launch event, which may occur during the Manila International Auto Show scheduled from April 4 to April 7, 2024. However, Suzuki Philippines has yet to confirm this.

Meanwhile, in Vietnam, there are no complex regulations regarding hybrid engine standards. Suzuki continues to introduce the Ertiga Hybrid, explaining its operational principles following the concept of a hybrid engine.

If the XL7 Hybrid is brought to Vietnam in the future, it is likely to retain the Hybrid name and be recognized as a hybrid vehicle, similar to the Ertiga.

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