Celebrating 55 Years of Suzuki ALLGRIP 4x4 Technology

For 55 years, Suzuki has mastered the art of 4-wheel drive in its cars. Suzuki first introduced its globally renowned 4x4 technology back in 1970, in the Suzuki LJ10, the manufacturer's first ever 4WD vehicle, and continues to break new ground in 2025, with the launch of the new Suzuki e Vitara. 

The e Vitara represents the next step in the evolution of Suzuki ALLGRIP - the brand's 4x4 technology - with its brand new electric ALLGRIP-e system. 

Development of the Suzuki LJ10 originally began in 1968 - two years ahead of its launch. To test the lightweight vehicle's resistance and durability to off-road conditions, the LJ10 underwent rigorous testing that included being dropped from a metre in the air onto the ground, and even being driven across the volcanic sands that surround the iconic Mt Fuji! 

Being the sole choice of an authentic off-roader in the Japanese compact car segment, the LJ10 was powered by a 360cc engine with an output of just 25bhp. However, it became a huge hit in a 4x4 market that was flooded with larger, more powerful vehicles.

The LJ20 and the LJ50 soon followed in the early '70s, which were exported to the likes of Central/South America, Oceania and the Middle East, as their popularity grew further afield. 

The final LJ model was the LJ80, debuting in 1977. Suzuki developed this model with a larger engine - 800cc producing 41bhp - to optimise performance for a more global audience. It total, it LJ80 was sold to a total 190 countries around the world.

What has since become known as the Suzuki Jimny, the SJ series of models had its second-generation upgrade in the 80s, followed by its third new look in the 90s. By now, the Jimny had a rounder look while maintaining its solid frame. The new part-time 4x4 system allowed for drivers to switch between 2WD and 4WD while in motion to allow for greater adaptability. 

Arriving in 2018, the latest iteration of the Jimny featured the new Suzuki ALLGRIP Pro system. This version took inspiration from its much-loved predecessors, inheriting the robust ladder frame, part-time 4WD and 3-link rigid axel suspension with coil springs.

The part-time 4WD the ALLGRIP Pro featured a low range gear transfer, which could be switched from 2H (2WD-high gear), 4H (4WD-high gear), and 4L (4WD-low gear) modes with a manually operated gear shift, connected directly to the 6-speed gearbox. 

Over those past 55 years, over 3 million of the Jimny models have sold combined worldwide. Although no longer sold as new in the UK, the Jimny remains extremely popular with its owners and is a very popular and reliable choice for used car buyers.

Two decades on from its first foray into the 4x4 market, Suzuki went ahead and launched an all-new off-roader designed to tackle forest trails, mud, rocks and places never been able to negotiate on four wheels before. The Suzuki Vitara was born. 

The first-generation Vitara launched in 1988, transcending anything seen before on earlier 4WD vehicles. With a plush interior, rounded contours, and a rear-mounted spare wheel, the Vitara struck a perfect balance between family comfort and 4x4 ruggedness. 

A sturdy ladder frame chassis with refined suspension allowed for better handling and easier manoeuvrability. The vehicle weighed less than 1000kg and was lighter than any other off-road vehicle available at the time.  

Suzuki introduced a five-door Vitara in the 90s that offered its newly developed Drive Select 4x4 system that allowed drivers to switch between 2WD and 4WD.

The Suzuki Grand Vitara arrived in 1998 with a bigger body, allowing for an increasing demand for safety and performance in the next generation of 4x4 SUV. The Grand Vitara enabled drivers to make that switch between 2WD and 4WD even more convenient, by using a simple switch in the cabin. 

Hot on its heels came the Grand Vitara XL-7 with an even bigger frame, allowing for - you guessed it - seven occupants. It was powered by a 2.7-litre V6 H27A engine, once again increasing the amount of power afforded to 4-wheel driving. 

The 2nd-gen Suzuki Grand Vitara launched in 2005 with a redesign that reflected the tough-and-sporty theme with a slightly shorter overall length that before in line with European styling tastes. The new 4WD system allowed for the driver to choose from four different driving modes. 

The Grand Vitara remained a popular choice throughout the noughties, moving 1.8 million units around the world across two generations of the SUV.

Suzuki launched an all-new Vitara in 2015, more than a quarter of a century after the first-generation model. The new Vitara was a response to a huge demand for increased technology, fuel economy, and eco-friendliness. This upgraded version of the Vitara incorporated the optional ALLGRIP Select system for the first time. This allowed for four different driving modes to be selected to best tackle changeable driving conditions.

The Vitara is now hybrid as standard and has undergone several exterior redesigns and upgrades in standard equipment and tech since its relaunch a decade ago. The latest upgrades to the mild hybrid and full hybrid systems now make the Vitara more economical than ever to operate as a 4-wheel drive vehicle. Unique to the small SUV sector, the 2025 Vitara offers ALLGRIP options for both the manual and automatic drivetrains.

ALLGRIP Select originally debuted in the Suzuki S-Cross - two years before it was introduced to the Vitara. 

Launched in 2013, the all-new S-Cross was born out of the Suzuki SX4, which had been around since 2006. Boasting distinctive crossover styling, the cutting-edge precision of a hatchback, and the 4x4 prowess of an off-roader, the S-Cross became the perfect fusion of family-friendliness, safety and performance. .

ALLGRIP Select gave the driver the choice of four different driving modes to be selected at the turn of a dial - AUTO, SPORT, SNOW, and LOCK. 

The AUTO mode made fuel efficiency its priority in typical, on-road driving conditions. SPORT was optimal for taking on winding country lanes and twisting hill climbs by diverting 20% more torque in the rear wheels. SNOW does exactly what it says on the tin - enhancing traction on slippery roads. LOCK mode was designed to get you out of any sticky situation, whether that's snow, mud or sand, by distributing continuous torque to the rear wheels. 

The S-Cross underwent a significant redesign in 2021 and still operates with an optional ALLGRIP Select system in the top of the range Ultra spec.

Suzuki ALLGRIP wasn't exclusive to just its sports utility vehicles either. The Swift ALLGRIP Auto was launched back in 2013. With no buttons or switches, the smart 4WD technology acts automatically, shifting torque to the rear wheels when required. Although the Swift 4x4 option was discontinued for a number of years, it was brought back with the launch of the all-new Suzuki Swift in 2024. The Swift ALLGRIP Auto is now available to buy as part of its top spec Ultra trim.

ALLGRIP Auto was also adopted by the Suzuki Ignis throughout its 10-year lifespan that ended in 2025. Despite its compact SUV styling, the highly acclaimed Ignis drove and had the award-winning reliability and fuel efficiency of a city car. The original Suzuki Ignis even had a 4x4 option during its first run from 2004-07, back then known as 4GRIP.

The brand launched its first electronic 4x4 technology in 2020 with the release of the Suzuki Across PHEV. Its sophisticated plug-in hybrid and E-Four 4x4 systems creates smooth and efficient all-wheel driving.

The state-of-the-art E-Four tech features an independent 40kW rear motor that works together with a motor at the front to provide front/rear torque distribution ratio, ranging all the way from 100:00 to 20:80. 

The Trail mode in E-Four is an automatic limited slip differential control feature that ensures the best possible grip on slippery surfaces for the wheels. Trail mode works by applying the brakes to the wheels that begin to lose grip and cleverly redirects torque to those wheels that have maintained grip.  

The launch of the brand's first fully electric car, the Suzuki e Vitara, marks 55 years of progressive Suzuki 4x4 systems, with the debut of ALLGRIP-e.

This brand new electric 4-wheel drive technology that features two independent motors at the front and rear. ALLGRIP-e not only provides powerful performance from the 49/61kWh battery options but also allows for precise control and rapid responses. 

The AUTO mode ensures a smooth driving experience in changing road conditions, while the Trail mode is there again to help by braking or shifting extra power to slipping wheels. 

The Suzuki e Vitara is available to order now and, like all new Suzuki cars, is available with up to 10 years warranty for complete peace of mind!