Suzuki Outboards vs Evinrude Outboards
If you think it’s the right time to buy a new boat or upgrade an existing one you aren’t alone. It gets to be that time of year where the water looks prettier, and we can’t wait to get out there.
Sometimes straightening out the boat financing options and getting lined up to find a new boat are the easy parts. The hard part comes when it’s time to make a decision.
There are so many great boats and better deals that it’s hard to choose. Fishing enthusiasts and recreational boaters face a major question when it comes to the best outboard motor for their individual needs.
Any discussion of outboards would be incomplete without considering both Evinrude and Suzuki Outboards. Regarding quality, durability, price, and performance both companies have a lot of benefits.
If you’re looking to spend some quality time on one of the 110,000 lakes in Manitoba, or can’t wait to do some fishing on one of our many rivers and streams, then you need the best motor to get you there.
Worried you don’t have enough information to make the best choice between Evinrude and Suzuki Outboards? We have you covered.
Let’s face them off head to head and see which comes out the winner.
Here goes:
What to Look for in Evinrude and Suzuki Outboards
Making the right decision for your boating needs means knowing what to look for. Some significant aspects of finding the best outboard engine to consider are the cost, quality, and performance.
Our analysis includes engines that are from across the spectrum in size and performance from each manufacturer. When dealing with specific capabilities, we noted these accordingly.
One benefit that both companies offer is a wide selection. Use this general comparison to then find the engine that best suits you from the manufacturer of your choice.
We will start with one of the most important features of four-stroke engine.
What a better indicator of quality than warranty protection?
Get the Best Warranty Available
When you are purchasing an outboard engine, you want to have the confidence that your manufacturer stands by their product. There is nothing worse than having mechanical complications with your new equipment only to find you are on your own when it comes to repairs.
Suzuki Outboards offer a 3-year limited warranty on their four-stroke engine models. As long as you are using your boat for personal recreation use the 36-month term applies.
For commercial uses and renters, the coverage kicks back down to a single year.
Pro Tip: Make sure you know the date your engine got put into service. If your dealer has been using a Suzuki Outboard as a demonstrator, they may have started the warranty period before you take delivery of your engine.
In addition, Suzuki offers a 3-year extended warranty for 6 full years of coverage.
Evinrude, on the other hand, covers their engines for a 36-month period plus 24-months through their B.E.S.T. warranty program. Owners are required to pay the first $50 in costs for repairs after the first 36 months of coverage
This can be costly if multiple repairs are needed during the initial warranty period. But Evinrude also announced recently that it would offer a 10-year extended warranty on some of their outboard engines.
While this offer ended in June 2018 it is hard to match the extreme confidence has in their products. Check back for their latest promotions.
We give the edge to Evinrude. Their 3-year warranty as a standard issue is a valuable resource for owners of a new Suzuki Outboard.
This we declare a tie between: Suzuki and Evinrude.
Make Some Noise
You spent all that time tracking those fish. Don’t scare them away when you get close enough to catch them!
If you have everything you on your fishing boat looking for the walleye, northern pike, smallmouth bass, channel catfish, lake trout and pickerel on Lake Winnipeg you want them to stick around when you idle or do some trawling.
It’s one thing to rev up a high-performance engine when pulling a water skier or a tube, but it’s quite another to have your pleasant evening cruise ruined by a loud engine.
Evinrude Outboards are quieter at idle and cruising.
Winner: Evinrude.
Smooth Transition
If you are using your Evinrude or Suzuki Outboards for serious performance, you’ll want to know the engine can keep up. Which one can move between hole shots, top acceleration, and cruising smoothly?
We noticed that shifting speeds on the Evinrude Outboards were smoother. The Suzuki Outboards transitioned a bit more sluggishly.
Moving between gears is seamless with the Evinrude.
Winner: Evinrude Outboards.
Rattle and Hum
It’s one thing to have a quiet engine when you’re approaching those fish or taking a pleasure cruise with the family. But which engines start to rattle more at low speeds or idling?
While the Evinrude Outboards are better for engine noise, the motors themselves also make less rattling sounds when it came to idling.
An Evinrude keeps a low and steady hum when you need a quiet companion in those fishing holes.
Winner: Evinrude.
Finding Those Tough to Reach Places
Fishermen all know that the best fish are sometimes there in that shallow water. Doing fishing in the flats or finding the perfect spot between rivers and streams isn’t the problem.
The problem is how easy you can get out once you catch your limit. Engine weight and the torque of the engine in blasting out of the holes is essential for fishermen who know that the best catch can sometimes be hard to reach.
The Evinrude is lighter than the Suzuki typically in a comparison of similar outboards.
Suzuki Outboards do great work too, but weight more so the edge goes to Evinrude.
Winner: Evinrude.
Longevity and History of Craftsmanship
Take a look at the history of Evinrude and Suzuki Outboards, and it is hard to debate that the two marine giants have firmly established a history of quality.
But Suzuki Outboards have only been around since 1965. Only since 1965, you say?
That’s over 50 years!
Still, Evinrude Johnson has been making outboard engines since 1909. There is no doubt that Evinrude is an innovator and a symbol of quality in the outboard engine industry.
Winner: Evinrude.
Maintenance Needs
What about maintenance? You can have excellent performance and a great price, but if an outboard engine is impossible to maintain it’s all a waste.
Both Evinrude and Suzuki Outboards have distinctly different advantages when it comes to maintenance. And the truth is, their customers are fiercely loyal.
Suzuki offers a maintenance-free timing chain. This cuts down on larger maintenance you might need from a dealer or service centre.
Evinrude suggests their customers use fuel additives. Suzuki owners say they can go without.
Evinrude is recognized for low expenses. Suzuki is criticized for inferior quality at times.
Some say don’t worry about oil changes as often for a four-stroke. Others swear by regular maintenance.
In both cases, you will want to maintain your engine regularly for the best performance. A dealer or service center can give you recommendations based on the exact engine you choose.
Don’t believe the hype in either case. Both engines have maintenance requirements.
Winner: Draw.
Innovation in the Industry
No one could claim that Evinrude or Suzuki Outboards were standing still when it comes to innovation. Even with a long history of quality, both brands continue to make inroads to better performance and improved features.
We love the fact that Evinrude was one of the pathfinders with environmental concerns. Their engines were the first to be recognized for low emissions by the American Environmental Protection Agency.
They received the 2004 Clean Air Excellence Award.
Suzuki has made significant improvements to four-stroke technology. Their longevity in engine manufacturing has transferred over to make Suzuki Outboards superior in many ways to their competition.
Both offer new and improved fuel injection systems. And both continue to improve the outboard engine industry.
Each has customizable features and cutting-edge technology. They are both great on fuel economy and will keep you and your family looking forward to every hour you can spend on the water.
Winner: Draw.
And the Winner Is…
Let’s face it. It’s hard to go wrong when it comes to Evinrude and Suzuki Outboards.
The major differences between the two brands will depend on your individual needs. Evinrudes two-stroke vs Suzuki’s four-stroke technology is tough to beat regarding maintenance needs and durability.
Suzuki motors seem to go and go. Evinrude, on the other hand, has made major improvements over the years to and offer industry leading warranty, engineering and manufacturing.
If you are seeking out a two-stroke engine, you may want to look at Evinrude first.
Winner: You.
You Win Either Way
If, and when it comes to making a final decision between choosing the right Evinrude or Suzuki Outboards you need expert help.
Westshore Marine & Leisure can help. We are located in Arborg, Manitoba on the north side of Winnipeg. A family owned and operated business, and one of the largest growing powersport stores in Canada. We pride ourselves on the customer experience.
Sales to service, we provide our customers with the most enjoyable experience around.
Our customers love Westshore Marine because our sales and service deliver consistent quality.
Contact Westshore Marine and begin the simple process of finding the perfect outboard engine for you.