2023 Brezza is the crossover Suzuki needs in PH

After giving us a teaser last week, Maruti Suzuki has officially taken the covers off the 2023 Brezza. Called the Vitara Brezza before, the new-generation crossover not only sports a flashier and more daring design, but it now comes with more intelligent safety features, extra cabin amenities, along with an improved mild-hybrid powertrain in the form of the Smart Hybrid system.

Beginning with its looks, the Brezza comes with all-new dual LED projector headlights, “Crystal Block” LED daytime running lights, a sporty front grille, aggressive bumpers, cube-shaped foglights, turbine-style 16-inch diamond-cut alloy wheels, a pair of wraparound LED taillights, an optional two-tone paint finish, and faux skid plates for both the front and rear. Giving the Brezza some SUV-like credentials come in the form of black body cladding on the wheel arches and doors, muscular fenders, generous ground clearance, and functional roof rails.

The result is a bold and distinct exterior that combines a boxy shape with sleek elements that make the Brezza stand out. And if those are not enough, high-grade models of the Brezza can come with an electric sunroof for a roomier interior.

Size-wise, the all-new Brezza measures 3995mm long, 1790mm wide, 1685mm tall, and has a 2500mm wheelbase. This makes the Brezza as long and as wide as its predecessor. However, the extra 45mm of height means the Brezza provides more peace of mind when going over rough roads or high waters during a flood.

Over to the interior, Suzuki was busy giving it a more modern and high-tech cabin. It gets a dual-tone black & brown interior, a layered dashboard with a unique metal accent that goes around the entire cabin, a free-standing touchscreen infotainment system, a flat-bottom leather-wrapped steering wheel, LED ambient lighting, and a new digital automatic climate control system for high-grade models.

The Brezza now also has a wider instrument panel, a color-coordinated multi-info display, wider rear seats for a more comfortable ride, a wireless charging pad for smartphones, rear USB charging ports for passengers seated at the back, a 6-speaker sound system, as well as Android Auto and Apple CarPlay connectivity.

To help the driver monitor the vehicle while driving, it comes with an intuitive heads-up display. Meanwhile, a 360-degree camera system ensures that the driver will not have a difficult time parking the Brezza or maneuvering around narrow roads. Other safety systems present inside the Brezza include 6 airbags, a reverse camera, anti-lock brakes with electronic brakeforce distribution, brake assist, parking sensors, an electronic stability program, hill-hold assist, and ISOFIX child seat anchors.

Just like the Ertiga and XL6 launched earlier this year, the 2023 Brezza also comes with the now-familiar 1.5-liter K15C Smart Hybrid powertrain. The engine powers all variants of the Brezza and makes 103 PS at 6000 RPM along with 137 Nm of torque at 4400 RPM. Power is then sent to the front wheels via a new 6-speed automatic transmission or a 5-speed manual gearbox.

Since the system is a mild hybrid, the Brezza comes with a belt-starter generator (BSG) and a lithium-ion battery pack. This gives the crossover several fuel-saving features such as automatic idle start/stop, regenerative braking that collects energy during braking or coasting to recharge the Li-ion battery, as well as torque-assist during acceleration that provides extra oomph while under load. Depending on the transmission chosen, Suzuki claims that the 2023 Brezza can average between 19.8 km/l to 20.15 km/l.

With the 2023 Suzuki Brezza now available in India, could it actually make its way to other markets like the Philippines? There's a possibility since the automaker has already axed the Vitara AllGrip from the local lineup. Combined with the fact that Suzuki Philippines sources models like the Celerio, Dzire, S-Presso, and the Jimny from Maruti Suzuki, it's not exactly a far-fetched idea for Suzuki to get the Brezza for the Philippine market.

Perhaps the only question now is, will Suzuki Philippines actually bring it here in the not-so-distant future?