2024 Suzuki outboard engine buyer’s guide

You may have noticed a change at Suzuki Australia. The brand has recently taken over Australian distributorship, creating a direct connection between the customer and the factory.

The company reached a significant achievement in 2022, logging its four millionth outboard engine produced.

Suzuki is known for its superb range of four-stroke outboard engines stretching from 2.5hp and running through to the flagship 4.4-litre V6-powered DF350A that shares its contra-rotating dual-propeller technology with the DF300B.

It has also introduced new DF115B and DF140B outboard engines.

However, the big news is the roll-out of integrated electric steering for its flagship V6 engines, the 300hp DF300BMD and the 350hp DF350AMD.

Suzuki’s suite of 4.4-litre V6 four-stroke outboard engines is the first on the market equipped with contra-rotating propellers for improved directional stability and better low-speed manoeuvrability in single-engine installations.

Another recent addition to the Suzuki range was the DF325A, designed specifically to run on cheaper 91-octane fuel and deliver substantial hip-pocket savings at the bowser.

Suzuki Marine also recently updated its DF175A and the DF150A. These new 2.9-litre inline four-cylinder four-stroke engines use a higher compression ratio to help them deliver more low-end torque.

Suzuki has also tweaked the four-cylinder engine’s offset driveshaft to move it forward, reducing vibration and improving the balance.

Of note, Suzuki has moved to an online sales model for its 2.5hp to 30hp outboard engine range, meaning you don’t even need to visit a dealership to order one.

Suzuki has started fitting its outboard engines with microfilters that catch small plastic particles that end up in the water as the source beaks down naturally, part of its commitment to cleaning up the world's oceans.

It has also recently introduced its version of a digital shift and throttle control, called Suzuki Precision Control, as well as one-button keyless start.

It has also introduced a makeover of its multifunction engine gauge to add colour and make the information it presents much clearer to the user.

The next advance could be the integrated power steering trickling down to Suzuki’s four-cylinder outboard engines, or even the roll-out of a joystick-style system that makes difficult maneuvers such as docking much easier.

While Suzuki may be missing out on some of the big-ticket tech, it is focussing on more practical problems such as making its 115hp outboard engine run better on stale fuel.

Suzuki upped its warranty to provide three years of factory-backed support, and another three years of dealer warranty if the engine is maintained by an authorised Suzuki service centre.