Suzuki shows an early design of the first Vitara

(Motorsport-Total.com/Motor1) - The Suzuki Motor Corporation has been known for its all-wheel drive expertise for over five decades - starting with the LJ10 in 1970. This comprehensive know-how, which extends across numerous models, has been continuously developed and is now known as ALLGRIP.

The technology is also aimed at customers in rural areas who travel on challenging terrain or need additional traction in winter.

First generation (1970-1981)

Suzuki's 4x4 history began with the LJ10 in 1970. The goal: a small off-road vehicle that would open up routes closed to conventional cars. As the only true off-roader in the Japanese subcompact segment, the LJ10 caused a stir, as the market had previously been dominated by large, high-displacement vehicles.

Development began in 1968, and the market launch followed in March 1970 – as the first mass-produced all-wheel drive vehicle in Japan's minicar class. In 1972, the LJ20 appeared with a water-cooled engine and improved heating system – a response to demands from snowy regions.

In 1974, the LJ50 followed, featuring a 550 cc three-cylinder two-stroke engine and noticeably more power. The last member of the series, the LJ80 (from 1977), was the first Suzuki with a four-stroke engine. The first generation was sold in 109 countries, with 243,000 units sold worldwide.

Second generation (1981-1998)

In 1981, the SJ410, the successor to the LJ10, was launched with the goal of gaining a stronger international foothold. Demand grew particularly in Europe and North America. The SJ410 combined practicality with a more distinctive design for both urban and off-road use.

In 1984, the SJ413 followed, featuring a 1.3-liter engine—the largest engine in a Suzuki to date. The second generation achieved cumulative sales of 1.693 million units.

Third generation (1998-2018)

Introduced in 1998, the third-generation Jimny combined off-road capability with improved comfort and roadholding. The new design, with rounded shapes and vertical grille openings, remained true to its character.

A new feature was the switchable all-wheel drive system, which could switch between 2WD and 4WD on the fly. Whether in the city or off-road, this generation of the Jimny was in demand worldwide – over 918,000 units were sold by the end of production.

Fourth generation (from 2018) - ALLGRIP 'PRO'

The current Jimny generation has been on the market since 2018. It was designed as a "tool for professionals" and remains true to the philosophy of a small, lightweight all-wheel drive vehicle. However, the Jimny is no longer officially offered in Europe.

A ladder frame, selectable all-wheel drive, and rigid axles with coil springs characterize the technical layout. The Jimny series has been offered in 194 countries to date and has exceeded the three million mark sold worldwide.

Suzuki X-90 (1995-1997)

The X-90 was introduced as a concept in 1993 and went into production in 1995. Based on the Vitara platform, it was a two-seater SUV with a 1.6-liter engine (92 hp), 3.70 meters long, and 1,100 kg in weight—a distinct niche model with all-wheel drive technology.

Vitara - compact 4x4 since 1988

The first Vitara was launched in 1988 as a groundbreaking compact SUV – off-road capable yet suitable for everyday use. With it, Suzuki broke new ground: moving away from the heavy off-road vehicle and toward a new type of SUV. By 1998, approximately 1.1 million units had been sold.

Second generation (from 1998): Grand Vitara

With the Grand Vitara, Suzuki responded to increased demands in terms of safety and environmental compatibility. The model featured a robust design, a striking grille, and large headlights.

Third generation (from 2005)

The second series of the Grand Vitara was introduced in 2005 and combined off-road capability, on-road comfort, and good handling. A built-in ladder frame structure ensured stability. The first two generations combined achieved more than 1.8 million sales worldwide.

Fourth generation (since 2015)

The current Vitara generation has been available since 2015. It was specifically developed for modern requirements – with efficient technology, ALLGRIP 'Select' all-wheel drive, and a striking SUV design. To date, over 3.6 million Vitara models have been sold in 190 countries.

e Vitara - fully electric all-wheel drive SUV

The e Vitara, announced for the second half of 2025, features a battery-electric drive system with two independent electric motors (ALLGRIP-e). The new HEARTECT-e platform was developed specifically for electric vehicles and is based on the new Toyota Urban Cruiser.

SX4 (from 2006)

The SX4 was launched in 2006 as a sporty crossover with elements from the Swift and Grand Vitara. It was Suzuki's third global model and also served as the basis for rally use.

Kizashi (2009)

The Kizashi was manufactured in Japan and featured the i-AWD all-wheel drive system as standard. This made it an exception in the D-segment, where all-wheel drive was otherwise common, mainly in higher-priced vehicles.

S-Cross (from 2013)

The S-Cross was introduced in 2013 and is positioned as a versatile crossover with the optional ALLGRIP 'Select'. A new generation has been available since 2021 – featuring mild and full hybrid drivetrains as well as modern assistance systems (including lane keeping assist, eCall, and driver monitoring). It meets a wide range of customer requirements.

Swift - with ALLGRIP 'Auto' since 2013

Since 2013, the Swift has also been available with ALLGRIP 'Auto' . The Swift's predecessor, the Cultus, was already offered in Japan with 4x4 in 1988, as was the Swift GTi with permanent all-wheel drive (1988-1991).

Ignis - compact crossover with 4x4

In 2017, Suzuki introduced the Ignis with ALLGRIP 'Auto'. It has since left the Western European market. The technology is based on the Swift system, but has been supplemented with hill descent control and traction control. The first Ignis (2004-2007) was already available as a 4GRIP version with all-wheel drive.

Across Plug-in Hybrid (since 2020)

The Across PHEV, based on the Toyota RAV4, was launched in 2020. Featuring an E-Four all-wheel-drive system, plug-in hybrid technology, and a sporty design, it offers high efficiency and a true SUV feel. The electric rear axle (40 kW) enables variable power distribution from 100:0 to 20:80.

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