Suzuki Across plug-in hybrid review
The Suzuki Across is the Toyota RAV4 plug-in hybrid's identical twin. It has a high list price, but hits the right numbers for the company-car market
Pros
- Smooth and powerful drive
- Great electric range and CO2
- Practical and high-quality interior
Cons
- Very expensive
- Ride is a touch firm
- Shorter warranty than Toyota
| Car type | Electric range | Fuel economy | CO2 emissions |
|---|---|---|---|
| Plug-in hybrid | 46 miles | 282mpg | 22g/km |
First things first: yes, the Suzuki Across plug-in hybrid SUV is a Toyota RAV4 plug-in hybrid wearing a different badge and with some slightly modified styling. Along with the Corolla Touring Sports-derived Suzuki Swace estate, it's the fruit of a collaboration between the two Japanese companies that gives Suzuki access to Toyota hybrid models and Toyota access to small and affordable Suzuki cars in some overseas markets.
The Across actually beat its RAV4 twin to the UK market by a couple of weeks, and is offered in one trim level at a pretty chunky list price of more than £45,000. But while that's undeniably a lot to pay for a Suzuki, which has traditionally been a value-focused brand, private buyers are not the Across' target market. Like all plug-in hybrids, it's primarily aimed at company-car user-choosers, seeking out the rock-bottom Benefit-in-Kind (BiK) rates these low-CO2 models attract.
There’s a lot to recommend the Across beyond just tax benefits, though. With a 46-mile electric range, it should cover most buyers’ daily trips without sipping a drop of fuel, and will comfortably charge overnight on a standard home wallbox.
The brawny Toyota hybrid setup delivers unexpected performance, too – the Across could give several proper hot hatchbacks a run for their money in a straight line, while it doesn’t fall apart in corners, either. Throw in the same practicality and reliability as the near-identical Toyota, and the Across will likely prove an easy car to own.
Right now, the Across is a pretty appealing package overall, and actually undercuts Toyota’s own RAV4 Plug-In by just under £2,000 in basic form, which may be enough to twist the arm of anyone sitting on the fence. There are, of course, cheaper plug-in hybrid family SUVs available, such as the Ford Kuga, Vauxhall Grandland X, Peugeot 3008 and Citroen C5, although none of them can match the Suzuki's pure-electric range.
Another factor to consider is that the Across' price puts it close to more desirable alternatives from premium brands, such as the Mercedes GLA 250 e and Land Rover Discovery Sport PHEV, so it's likely to remain a niche choice. For a more detailed look at the Across, read on for the rest of our in-depth review...
