New Suzuki SUV bargain ticks (almost) all the boxes
Suzuki tells us that its new C-segment Across is its most advanced SUV yet. Not to be confused with the premium new RAV4 based overseas car, this more value-oriented South African Across blends family-friendly space and practicality most impressively with cutting-edge technology. Add cool looks and class-leading safety, powered by an efficient mild-hybrid petrol engine.
Suzuki also calls Across’ silhouette sweeping and its body lines sculpted in a broad and dynamic stance. The contoured and creased bonnet atop narrow projector LED DRL headlamps, a large lower intake and under guard make for look of intent. We’d go as far to say there’s even a bit of Storm Trooper or even Darth Vader in there. Yes, this cool new Suzuki comes Across very well indeed.
Black plastic clad rocker panels and wheel arches frame black 17-inch alloys in 215/60 rubber with a full-size spare. A seamless 19-segment LED taillamp creates a cool light signature across the back under an integrated roof spoiler and shark-fin antenna and over an aluminium-look skid plate.
There’s even a bit of Darth Vader in there
Stepping aboard is where Across really impresses. Recent Suzukis have captivated us of late, but Across takes it up a notch in a clean, fresh and minimalist new design that eliminates much of the fuss and clutter from its siblings. Everything you need, is at your fingertips. And evert function has a tactile button, knob or switch to do it. No cyber button nonsense here.
The stylish three-level dashboard brings precision stitching, solid chromed door handles; an illuminated glove box and large centre console box with integrated armrest. You have four cup holders and four bottle holders, two each, front and rear and a most handy 60:40-split single-fold rear bench.
Suzuki Across has a 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster and easy to understand 10.1-inch CarPlay and Auto wireless touchscreen infotainment. There's an active cooled device charging pad, four USB C ports and two 12V accessory sockets. One of them is in the boot to power anything from a car fridge to a portable power station.
Across a hell of a lot of SUV for R374K
The fabric clad height-adjustable driver’s seat is complemented by a tilt and reach multifunction steering wheel with paddle gear shifters. Auto climate control includes rear vents and there’s cruise control, a reverse camera with rear parking sensors and even a smart powered tailgate.
Safety stretches from six front, side and curtain airbags to ABS, EBD, ESP and hill hold control. As well as an electric parking brake with brake hold. The real trump card here is that this basic Across GL Automatic costs just three hundred and seventy four grand.
Think about that for a second. That’s a hell of a lot of sport utility vehicle for the money. There’s still the far more comprehensively specced GLX. To be honest, do you actually need much of, let alone any of that extra spec? But it’s there with an X if you want it, and at a pretty premium too.
Mild hybrid adds to Across mix. Or does it?
So far, this little Suzuki has ticked all the boxes. And then some. Moving on, Across has an always-on 12V integrated starter generator mild-hybrid massaged version of Suzuki’s dependable K15C engine. Boasting a 12 to 1 compression ratio, it includes a most effective start-stop system, but oddly enough develops a kilowatt and a Newton meter each less than out similarly endowed non-hybrid Fronx at 76 kW and 137 Nm.
The seamless 12V lithium-ion battery equipped mild-hybrid works continuously to electrically boost assist the petrol engine for ‘responsive performance and reduced fuel economy and emissions.’ Well, that’s the theory anyway. Reality proved a little different. This car felt sluggish to us. But when we tested it, we uncovered this Across’ only real problem.
Its slow. One of the slowest cars we've ever tested, in fact, at a remarkably tardy 13.7 seconds to 100. That ten seconds from 80 to 120 km/h is also excessive. Which had our calculators out. Because the hundred and fifty-odd kilos in weight differential does not quite equate to the difference to the 10.3 and 7.7 seconds our Fronx achieved. It rather suggests that this test unit was down on power.
SUZUKI strides come Across loud and clear
Hopefully we can re-test another unit soon. If it did the elevenish seconds we’d expected to 100, we’d round this test off with great fanfare. But for now we must also report that this test unit seemed worryingly underpowered. For the rest however, we came away mightily impressed. Even the fuel economy promised to match its impressive claims
All in all, beyond its meagre performance, we were beyond impressed by everything about the Suzuki Across 1.5 GL Hybrid Automatic. Bold, exciting and supremely equipped, it is way more SUV than you’d ever expect from three hundred and seventy grand. We love what Suzuki has done with its range in recent times. But this car’s significant strides forward across so many facets, certainly comes Across loud and clear! – Michele Lupini
Images & testing: Giordano Lupini
ROAD TEST: Suzuki Across 1.5 GL Hybrid Automatic
Engine: 76 kW 137 Nm 1.5 litre petrol I4
Drive: 6-speed automatic FWD
TESTED:
0-60 km/h: 5.67 sec
0-100 km/h: 13.70 sec
0-120 km/h: 19.19 sec
400m: 19.0 sec @ 119 km/h
80-120 km/h: 10.00 sec
CLAIMED:
VMax: 160 km/h
Fuel: 5.3 l/100 km
CO2: 121 g/km
Range: 850 km
Warranty/Service: 5y 200K/5y 60K km
LIST PRICE: R464K
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