In this article, we use so-called affiliate links. With every purchase through these links, we receive a commission from the merchant. All relevant referral links are marked with . Learn more.
These are the 5 SUV e-bikes from the test
What the gravel bike is for the organic biker, the SUV is often for the e-bike fan today: an extremely wide range of use - also in relation to the surface - and often a shirt-sleeved appearance, which is emphasised above all by chunky tyres. If you look at the handlebar widths of some of our SUV e-bikes, you might even think that the SUV was developed for trail specialists. It's not quite like that: sometimes sportiness is also a figurehead. Nevertheless, for many people today, the E-SUV is the jack of all trades.
No wonder: with no other bike can you cover so much ground and be equipped for almost all situations - classic bike tours, travelling, everyday life, commuting, shopping. Thanks to the suspension fork or full suspension and studded tyres, the SUV also opens up the terrain - and is sure to fulfil the dream of some of you to be even closer to nature when travelling. It is very important to note that only a few providers see the SUV as a classic piece of sports equipment, but rather as a bike for the classic e-biker who wants more without having to be extremely sporty when travelling.
SUV e-bikes: the right motor
The almost traditional drive for an SUV is a Bosch Performance CX (Victoria, Koga), the most powerful engine from this company. But also a Giant/Synchros of the new generation with similarly powerful alignment or Shimano's E301 (High eight) are ideal for operating dynamically even with high system weights and steep paths.
From the other side comes the new "small" Bosch, which opens up a new SUV feeling: the SX drive (Kalkhoff) with just 55 Newton metres and completely different characteristics. It requires a slightly higher cadence for what feels like slightly less thrust than the larger models. For many riders, however, this feels more harmonious. So if you like travelling with faster legs, this more economical version from Bosch and correspondingly smaller battery (400 watt hours) is also very satisfactory. A nice side effect: a few kilos less bike weight!
The right battery for an SUV e-bike
An important question for all-rounder fans: Do I really need as much range as the classic SUV e-bikes offer - or would I rather have a lighter bike, for example because I often have to lift or carry it in everyday life? If you stay under 50 kilometres 90 percent of the time, you can confidently opt for a battery with 500 to 600 watt hours. Longer journeys or tours in mountainous terrain require more energy. However, carrying an additional battery may also be the right solution for such individual cases.
If you ask dealers, they will tell you that at least half of their customers rely on unnecessarily thick batteries. Talk to your dealer about your preferred area of use before you buy! But even choosing the right support level can contribute to significantly more economical consumption - and to higher calorie consumption, which is what many e-bikers want. Some smart modes are also clever - the "Auto" setting at Bosch, for example - which decides more than other modes how much motor power is added based on the rider's effort. Because, apart from the weight, battery power costs money!
Brakes: low-maintenance and powerful
A lot of weight and luggage transport, possibly even on sloping terrain, require powerful brakes. All of our testimonials use fully hydraulic disc brakes - and that's a good thing. Giant and other manufacturers in this segment rely on 180 millimetre discs, Victoria front even to 203 mm - the larger, the greater the braking force and modulation.
These brakes also make sense in terms of low maintenance. Pay attention to braking: Discs only reach their full power and modulation when the bike has been braked hard a few times from high speeds (25 km/h) to a standstill. In contrast to the brake disc on a car, cyclists unfortunately still have to do this themselves. There are numerous tips on the Internet.
Why low entry?
Today, there are only a few reasons against the low step-through. If the frame quality and rigidity are high, the advantages outweigh the disadvantages. Easy mounting and dismounting, high level of safety if you suddenly have to get off the bike. Only those looking for the absolute maximum in smoothness when transporting luggage on loose surfaces and who are bothered by the supposed ladies' bike look are better off with a frame with a top tube (diamond frame). The step-through bike has arrived in the lifestyle, and more and more people appreciate its comfort in everyday life.
SUV e-bikes: fully or hardtail?
The two full-suspension bikes in the test quickly show that full suspension is a completely different quality of comfort. Even in the city, potholes and kerbs are more comfortable than on a bike with only front suspension. Nevertheless, you don't have to be a comfort-loather to feel just as comfortable on hardtails. The wide tyres of our SUV e-bikes from the test also provide a lot of comfort in the city. Beyond the tarmac, the fullys really come into their own: They are more fun to ride, and at higher speeds, safety increases in both real and perceived terms.
In comparison, hardtails provide a more classic bike feeling, but reach their limits on extreme bumpy tracks. So far, so clear. However, in addition to the weight and price aspects, which always affect full-suspension bikes, full-suspension bikes also require maintenance and adjustment: even modern suspension shocks need maintenance - they should be serviced once a year.
The adjustment is complex and not self-explanatory. It's not just about adjusting the pressure in the shock to your own weight. The luggage on the carrier also needs to be taken into account during adjustment, especially in the case of a system with a suspension carrier. In addition to the higher purchase price of the full-suspension bike, there are also services to consider. So if you want to spend more of your tours on bumpy terrain and are considering whether to buy a full-suspension bike, you should take this into account. However, it is often the test ride that makes some people decide more quickly.
Rough roller, yes or no?
The same applies here as for full suspension: the rougher the terrain you want to ride on, the more chunky lugs make sense. However, overly chunky knobbly tyres can be counterproductive in the city, as they make the wheels run more unevenly and less comfortably on asphalt and have less grip when cornering, especially in wet conditions. Tyres with small studs and a centre bar for smooth running (Victoria) or somewhat coarser road tyres (Koga) are sensible for multiple use. These tyres are also great for riding on dirt tracks; it's only when they get really muddy that studs are called for.
An important criterion for SUV bikes: the handlebar width
Nevertheless, the handlebar width remains: among other things, the consistently wide tyres, long wheelbases and a geometry geared towards straight-line stability mean that e-bikes are not as agile to ride as an urban bike, for example, and that the steering also reacts somewhat more sluggishly than there. This is one reason why wide handlebars are favoured in the e-bike sector in general, but especially in the SUV sector. Our Victoria has the widest handlebars with a length of 75 centimetres. This gives you a lot of control on difficult surfaces.
This is enormously helpful for mud holes or rooty paths where the tyres would otherwise prefer to follow their own path of least resistance. The reason for the relief is pure physics: the longer the force arm that describes the distance from the steering axle to the handlebar grip, the less force is required at the end of the handlebars to turn the tyre. The less cranked a handlebar is, the more you should rely on ergonomic grips: Wide, straight handlebars put more strain on the wrists as the hands and forearms are not in line. Our SUV e-bikes all have ergonomic grips with more or less pronounced palm rests (wings).
They have almost become the standard. Even our bike with the most "ergonomic" handlebars per se for a more upright riding position, the High eight Amola Tereno, features these grips. Important note for retrofitters: The grips should be able to be clamped to the handlebars with bolts - because grips that are simply attached usually do not hold due to the special load on the hand supports and are also not easily adjustable. Ergo grips or not, during the test ride you should listen to yourself to see if you can imagine a long tour with this handlebar shape.
Sit and steer appropriately
The riding position in our test selection ranges from upright Dutch to sporty. The High Eight Fully shows that off-road capability and a more upright riding position are compatible. It is true that if you want to ride sportily and explore the advantages of a full-suspension bike, you need a dynamic riding position and a little weight on the front wheel to give the knobby tyre its full potential.
But full suspension doesn't turn the SUV into a sports bike, and you can enjoy more comfort with a more upright riding position. Ultimately, it's a question of type and how dynamically you want to ride. Here, too, you should honestly ask yourself during the test ride whether a stretched, MTB-like riding position is desirable for you in the long term or whether you would prefer to sit upright (as usual) and ride more comfortably over bumpy terrain.
Luggage transport off-road
Very important: When buying panniers, test how well they fit the carrier and whether they can press on mudguard mounts etc. when heavily loaded. It must be possible to adjust the carrying points of the panniers precisely, for example using adjustable hooks. The more difficult the terrain, the more the fully comes into its own - it can be moved faster and more safely than a bike with only front suspension. Ideally, the bike should be set up so that the carrier is part of the suspended mass. This means that comfort and riding safety are hardly compromised even when loaded - the Giant in our test is a classic example of this.
Step-through: comfort even before driving
There's no doubt about it: the most comfortable place to get on is where you have to lift your foot the least. All our step-through models make it easy for the cyclist. Surprisingly, the High Eight is the easiest. To achieve the value of around 40 centimetres, the suspension strut has been placed behind the seat tube. However, it's not just the step-through height that makes it easy to get on, but also enough space for the foot to pass between the seat tube and down tube.
Model comparison
- High eight Amola Tereno: approx. 40 cm step-through height
- Victoria Fybron 6: Approx. 42 cm step-through height
- Koga Pace B10: approx. 45 cm step-through height
- Kalkhoff Entice Advance: approx. 48 cm step-through height
Note: The Giant Stormguard E+ 3 is not available as a step-through model.
Travelling over hill and dale with SUV e-bikes
For many people, the SUV can be a kind of "toned down" mountain bike with classic luggage options. This means riding fun at lower speeds than with a touring or cross-country MTB and, depending on the model, comfort. As a beginner off-road rider, however, you should always feel your way around the proverbial new terrain. Even if studded tyres are made for loose ground: They do not work miracles. That's why you should familiarise yourself with the steering feel of your new SUV e-bike on different surfaces. Practise braking - first with the rear brake, i.e. the right brake lever by default. This will give you a feel for how much pull on the lever causes the rear wheel to lock.
A locked rear wheel is much easier to control than a front wheel that breaks free. Therefore, only try this very carefully and with short pulls on the left lever. Avoid braking in bends even more than on hard surfaces - this also means that you should ride with more foresight than you might be used to on the road. However, the opposite can also happen on soft surfaces: The rear wheel can spin under heavy acceleration - at least if you are not carrying any luggage on the carrier. Even if this all sounds very dry, you will see that getting used to riding on loose surfaces can also be a lot of fun.
Drive and app of the e-bikes tested
Virtually all motor system manufacturers now offer the option of customising the drives via a mobile phone app - for example, selecting riding modes, defining them in terms of power output or even defining their character. The High Eight with the new electronic cue shifting can also be set to semi-automatic shifting. You usually have to familiarise yourself with it to understand it better, but it's worth it!
Relaxed progress with the SUV e-bikes from the test
Our High Eight SUV manages this balancing act best when (seating) comfort is a priority. A little sportier? Then the Giant wins the race, with a clear mountain bike flavour. The Victoria is no less sporty, albeit with front suspension only. Perhaps the absolute all-rounder in the test. The Kalkhoff is hot on its heels on the dirt track.
However, the Suntour suspension fork with 75 millimetres of travel works significantly less efficiently than the Fox (100 mm) on the Victoria. In addition, as already mentioned, the Bosch SX motor requires a slightly higher cadence. But the low weight also makes a big difference off the tarmac. And the Koga also makes sense on flowing dirt tracks - you hardly need more than this profile in dry conditions if you're prepared to take corners a little more carefully. And the SUV e-bike impresses with a very harmonious ride, which also comes into its own here.
Weight vs. function
SUV e-bikes are still the heavyweights among e-bikes - with the exception of cargo bikes. But they don't have to be, as our candidates from Kalkhoff and Victoria demonstrate. If you can do without certain things such as extra comfort or a really long range, you have a few kilograms less to lug around. In the case of the Victoria, it is also the carbon material that makes for a lighter frame.
And it's not just about the classic cellar steps: even on a Saturday afternoon adventure on the forest path, you may have to heave your bike over a tree trunk. Important questions to ask before buying are therefore: How much suspension do I need - is a suspension fork enough (for the occasional bumpy dirt track) or do I need full suspension (to ride whole tours on winding, root-covered MTB trails)? And do I really need the immense range of an 800 watt-hour battery, or is a "normal" 500 also enough?
Dieting for extra total weight?
You can't do the maths often enough: If a bike has a permissible total weight of 140 kilos, luggage of 25 kilos on the carrier and the bike weighs 30 kilos, you can only weigh 85 kilos with clothing and helmet. So even with a sturdy SUV, these limits are sometimes quite tight. Background: If a legal dispute arises, for example after an accident due to material failure, the manufacturer or dealer can reject recourse claims with reference to the non-compliance with the total weight.
Bicycle tyres: Wider is more comfortable
The increase in comfort provided by wide tyres comes from the lower air pressure with which they can be ridden. In general, there is a long-lasting trend towards wider tyres on e-bikes. In the past, tyres with a width of 40 millimetres on trekking bikes were already among the wider ones, but we have now reached tyres with 66 (Giant) and 62 millimetres (Hohe Acht, Koga). The "narrowest" tyre with a width of 57 millimetres is fitted to the Kalkhoff. The wider the tyres, the lower the air pressure.
The manufacturer Schwalbe specifies an air pressure range of 1.8 to 3.7 bar for the Racing Ralph on the Kalkhoff. How much it should be depends on the surface, the weight of the packed luggage, that of the rider, but also somewhat on their preferences: The higher the pressure in the tyre, the less comfortable it becomes, but it runs more easily and responds more directly to steering commands. Conversely, a pressure close to the lower limit is responsible for a lot of grip on loose surfaces and, of course, a lot of comfort. Above a certain lower limit, however, the steering becomes sluggish. Normally, the tyre would be well inflated for mixed use at around 2.5 bar.
Conclusion on the SUV e-bikes in the test
Yes, our SUV e-bikes tend to deliver what their generic name promises. However, diversification is also taking place in this segment - see, for example, the Kalkhoff Entice Advance with a lightweight motor system and low overall weight or the fine carbonisation of Victoria Fybron 6. The distinction between touring bikes and light all-rounders is becoming blurred, as is that between mountain bikes. More than with other bike types, we recommend defining the intended use before buying - and trying out the bike in the respective area of use. Ideally with luggage and carrying tests ...
All SUV e-bikes in comparison
The service category is not listed - 5% share, differences in the operating instructions do not change the final score. Longer warranties are available from all five manufacturers for the models tested.
* The range information refers to the medium support mode or "Tour" mode with an active riding style and terrain with low gradients. For the Kalkhoff, a higher active pedalling frequency was assumed. These are approximate values for all bikes and will vary considerably for different riders and conditions.
