Suzuki Across Review 2024

If you want a well-made, roomy and economical plug-in hybrid SUV, the Suzuki Across could well be the vehicle for you. But so could the Toyota RAV4 on which the Suzuki is based, of course.

The Toyota also comes with a more generous new-car warranty, and more competitive pricing as well.

However, while looks are clearly subjective, we would argue that the front-end styling of the Suzuki Across is actually more attractive than the Toyota RAV4.

The lengthy all-electric range of the Suzuki Across will be a bonus for those with shorter commutes and the ability to charge at home, seeing it out-perform many rivals.

Suzuki has made life very easy for you when it comes to the Across. There is only one engine to be had, and the same is true for trim levels.

The standard powertrain sees a Toyota-supplied 2.5-litre four-cylinder petrol engine combined with a pair of electric motors and an 18.1kWh battery. It results in a total of 306PS, driving all four wheels via an automatic continuously variable transmission (CVT).

With just one model, there are no trim levels to pick from when considering a Suzuki Across. Instead, almost everything is included as standard, ranging from LED headlights to heated seats and an electric tailgate. This goes some way towards justifying the hefty price tag, though.

It almost goes without saying that, as virtually the same vehicle underneath, the Toyota RAV4 is the closest rival to the Suzuki Across.

Given the size of the family SUV market, the list of other competitors for the Across seems almost endless. The Ford Kuga, Nissan Qashqai and Volkswagen Tiguan are the obvious options in this crowded field.

Both the Kia Sportage and Hyundai Tucson offer plug-in hybrid variants, making them commendable alternatives.

Suzuki does not have a great reputation for interior quality, typically placing its focus on durability over luxury. Being derived from the Toyota RAV4 obviously helps here, with this easily being one of the plushest Suzuki models ever made. Yet so it should be with a list price nearing £50,000.

Synthetic leather is used to cover the upper dashboard, door trims and seats, although you are unlikely to mistake it for genuine cow hide. Many of the switches and dials feel like they have been built to last, even if there is little in the way of style or flair on display.

Hunt around, particularly in the boot, and you will find some cheaper plastics being used. But this aids the Suzuki Across in being a practical SUV, meaning you can transport dogs or bulky items without fear of wrecking the interior.

Infotainment is one of the weaker aspects of the Suzuki Across, especially when taken in the context of its fairly steep list price.

A 10.25-inch multimedia touchscreen is fitted inside quite a large plastic bezel. It looks a little cheap, if we’re honest, with dated graphics and a lack of functions. Earlier models came with a smaller 9.0-inch display, so at least there is some progress.

There is no satellite navigation included, or indeed online services for traffic and weather, which is surprising when the Toyota RAV4 comes with both of these. Suzuki’s argument is that most drivers will simply connect their smartphone, using either Apple CarPlay or Android Auto instead.

Smartphone apps do indeed mean you can avoid having to interact with the Suzuki interface, but we think most buyers would expect built-in sat nav to be included at this price point.

The Across comes with a 12.3-inch digital instrument panel, offering up a choice of views and configurations. It looks neat and is easy to read.

The Suzuki Across may be listed as a mid-size crossover SUV, but it happens to be at the larger end of the spectrum. It measures 4635mm in length and 1855mm wide – making it notably larger than a Ford Kuga, for instance.

Space in the front of the Across is generous, with a decent amount of headroom and legroom. Only the tallest of drivers may wish for a little more adjustment in seat height, but most are unlikely to find it a problem. Those wider dimensions also mean there is less chance of bashing elbows with your front-seat passenger. 

The rear bench is one of the few in family SUVs that can seat three adults in relative comfort, aided by the lack of a large transmission tunnel running underneath. The doors open wide, a bonus for those with young children, although the raised ride height can make for a bit of a climb.

An adjustable rear seat-back allows for a trade-off between space and comfort. Choose a more upright seating position and boot capacity stands at 520 litres. Go for the recline and this drops to 490 litres, although that is still respectable for a hybrid-powered SUV.

Fold the rear seats fully flat, with the bench splitting 60:40, and there is the potential to carry up to 1630 litres of luggage. Aiding this is a tailgate that opens electrically – albeit rather slowly – and plenty of smaller storage cubbies throughout the cabin.

Do not worry about having to choose what powertrain to have in a Suzuki Across: there is only one option available. The Toyota-supplied 2.5-litre four-cylinder petrol engine is connected to a pair of electric motors, creating the plug-in hybrid setup.

The petrol engine produces a respectable 185PS on its own, along with 227Nm of torque, and sends all of that power to the front wheels. An electric motor can also drive the front wheels, while the back axle is powered by a separate electric motor.

There is no mechanical link between the front and rear axles, meaning the Across’s four-wheel-drive setup is electronically controlled. Toyota and Suzuki call this an ‘E-Four’ system. All combined, the engine and electric motors develop a peak output of 306PS – enough to overshadow many hot hatchbacks.

This is suffcient to see the Suzuki Across accelerate from 0-62mph in 6.0 seconds, with a potential top speed of 112mph. Instant power from the electric motors helps the Across feel quick to react, making overtaking slower traffic an easy task.

An automatic continuously variable transmission (CVT) is the only gearbox, intended to keep the Across at peak power. This makes for a smooth, but sometimes noisy driving experience.

When driven in battery-only EV mode, the Suzuki Across delivers a calm and refined experience. In this setting, the petrol engine will only come into play once the Across’s battery is completely flat, allowing plenty of miles in near-silence.

Where the Across becomes more flustered is when you ask for maximum power from the petrol engine. Combined with Toyota’s preferred CVT gearbox, the result can be lots of revs and quite a bit of noise.

The Suzuki Across has not been subjected to evaluation by the Euro NCAP safety organisation, but the Toyota RAV4 it is based upon has.

In crash tests, the RAV4 was given the maximum five-star rating, with a 93 percent score for adult occupant protection, plus 87 percent for child protection. It means that the Suzuki Across should be an equally safe SUV.

Standard safety equipment includes multiple airbags, including one for the driver’s knees, Isofix child seat anchorages, automatic emergency braking and dynamic road sign assistance.

Blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic assistance are also standard – unlike on the Toyota RAV4, which limits these features to higher-spec models.

This is really less of a question about how reliable a Suzuki is, and more about how much you can rely on Toyota. Thankfully, Toyota is one of the most reliable car manufacturers in the world, which should translate into excellent dependability for the Suzuki Across.

Toyota finished sixth overall in the latest Honest John Satisfaction Index, with Suzuki a little lower in 17th. The RAV4 itself ranked in ninth position out of all vehicles.

The Suzuki Across may be a relatively niche SUV, but the output of its combined powertrain, along with the amount of technology included, pushes it slightly further up the insurance group ratings.

With just one model to choose from, the Suzuki Across finds itself placed in group 39 (out of 50 groups in total).

This is actually higher than the Toyota RAV4. Plug-in hybrid versions of the Toyota start in group 34, and peak in group 37 for the GR Sport version.

Thanks to its plug-in hybrid powertrain, the Suzuki Across comes with low CO2 emissions of just 22g/km. This is beneficial when it comes to VED (road tax), placing the Across in the second-lowest band.

For the first year of ownership, VED is free as a result. However, a list price of more than £40,000 for the Across means you will pay a penalty in years two to six. The additional cost is £560 a year during this period.

Company car drivers should be pleased with the Across, though, thanks to a low Benefit-in-Kind rate of just eight percent.

The Suzuki Across is offered in just one trim level. But the level of standard equipment is particularly generous, which is useful given the absence of options – save for paint colour.

On the outside, the Across comes with automatic LED headlights, 19-inch alloy wheels, dual exhaust tailpipes, a black front grille and a set of black roof rails. Privacy glass and front and rear skid plates are included as well.

The interior benefits from seats finished in a combination of fabric and synthetic leather, with more synthetic leather found on the door trims and arm rests. Satin chrome trim is used for details throughout the cabin.

Comfort features include heated front seats, dual-zone climate control, a power-operated tailgate, front and rear parking sensors and a rear-view camera. The driver’s seat comes with eight-way power adjustment, while the rear seats feature a reclining function. Heated door mirrors, automatic windscreen wipers and an automatically dimming rear-view mirror are also fitted.

A 10.25-inch touchscreen display is standard, and is combined with a 12.3-inch digital instrument panel. DAB radio and Bluetooth connectivity, plus Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone compatibility, also feature.

Safety highlights include multiple airbags, dynamic road sign assistance, radar cruise control and lane-departure warning.