Hybrid 'newbies' have just arrived in the Vietnamese car market

Suzuki Ertiga

The Suzuki Ertiga Hybrid MPV was certified for fuel consumption in early August. The model has two versions: GL 5MT using a 5-speed manual transmission and GLX 4AT using a 4-speed automatic transmission. Both are equipped with a Mild-Hybrid system with a KB15 1.5L engine combined with an integrated starter generator (ISG) and a Li-ion battery pack, using a voltage of 48 volts.

Ertiga hybrid engine version. Photo: Suzuki

According to published specifications, the Suzuki Ertiga Hybrid is slightly more fuel efficient than the current version. The GL 5MT manual version has combined, urban, and extra-urban fuel consumption of 5.38l/100 km, 5.95l/100 km, and 5.05l/100 km, respectively. The GLX 4AT version has fuel consumption of 5.69l/100 km, 6.42l/100 km, and 5.27l/100 km, respectively.

Suzuki Ertiga's main competitors include models familiar to the Vietnamese market such as Mitsubishi Xpander, Toyota Avanza and soon Hyundai Stargazer and Honda BR-V.

Nissan Kicks

Nissan Kicks was certified for fuel consumption in Vietnam on July 18, 2022. It is expected that this model will have 2 versions, E and V. The vehicle model registered with the Department of Registration is a hatchback instead of an SUV and Crossover. In which, the E version will weigh 1.347 tons, lighter than the V version weighing 1.362 tons.

Most notable on the Nissan Kicks is the e-Power transmission system, which is an electric motor but charges the battery through a gasoline engine, meaning users will fill up with gas to charge the battery instead of plugging it in like a traditional electric car.

The power of the Nissan Kicks comes from the EM57 electric motor with a capacity of 129 horsepower, maximum torque of 260 Nm provided by a 1.57 kWh lithium-ion battery located under the front seats. The electric motor of the car will combine with a 1.2-liter 3-cylinder gasoline engine that acts as a range extender with a capacity of 79 horsepower at 5,400 rpm and torque of 103 Nm at 4,400 rpm.

Nissan Kicks. Photo: Nissan

With a novel powertrain, Kicks announces fuel consumption on combined cycles, in urban and extra-urban as 4.6l/100km; 2.2l/100km; 6.1l/100km for both E and V versions. The difference is that Nissan Kicks moves more economically in urban areas than on highways and mixed roads.

According to information from the Vietnam Register, these two models are both imported from abroad. In particular, Suzuki Ertiga Hybrid is imported from Indonesia and Nissan Kicks is imported from Thailand.