Suzuki Across SUV First Drive: Suzuki’s at it again, this time launching a fresh, handsome new SUV designed from the ground up and strangely similar in pricing and size to the Suzuki Grand Vitara. Before you wonder what on earth Suzuki is doing, let’s rather first consider that they may be on to yet another winning streak.
Is it a replacement for the Grand Vitara then?
No. Not at all. The Suzuki Across is Suzuki playing their hand with something exceedingly fresh and modern in their whole range. Its design stands out, more handsome and more universally styled than the Grand Vitara or even the Jimny, cult-following and all. It’s more in line with what the segment is offering. It sits lower than the Grand Vitara with a more sloping roofline, sharp LED headlamp and taillamp designs and even features a 19-LED stepped light strip that stretches across the rear bootlid. Its face is handsomely minimalist presenting all of the air vents and fog lamps without the sharp and sometimes harsh apertures that grilles can have. Its front almost looks like it could house an EV under there, such is its clean design. The Across represents Suzuki’s latest design language and something that we’re likely to see played out in different models across the new cars that Suzuki will be offering in the near future. 17-inch alloys are on offer on both variants with contrasting black and silver alloy machined wheels on the top spec really contrast well with the black wheel arches and rocker panels. The other cool contrasting design is Suzuki’s two-tone paint choices on the higher spec models.
Colour choices are: Sizzling Red Metallic; Exuberant Blue Pearl Metallic; Bluish Black Pearl; Magma Grey Metallic; Arctic White Pearl; Splendid Silver Metallic and Mystic Green Pearl.
Colour choices with the two-tone finish: Splendid Silver, Metallic Sizzling Red and Metallic Exuberant Blue Pearl Metallic that can be finished with the roof skin in Bluish Black Pearl.
So what powers the Across? Have they gone all new-energy on us?
Yes…but not really. Nothing overtly new here as far as the powertrain is concerned. The Suzuki Across is powered by the KC15 engine, a common workhorse across the Suzuki company of cars. It’s the 1.5-litre, naturally-aspirated engine that pairs with either a 5-speed manual or a 6-speed automatic transmission, a rather important difference compared to the Grand Vitara’s 4-speed automatic offering. The Across engine is paired with a small integrated starter generator that feeds power into the powertrain when the engine is under heavy load and also assists with start-up when the start-stop system is activated. It even features regenerative power that is directed back into the 12V battery. So yes it is a hybrid, but a mild-hybrid that never quite changes how the car feels. The start-stop system is said to save fuel and that I’m certain it does, with Suzuki claiming 5,3l/100km on the Across model. Power is quoted at 76kW and 137Nm, almost the same as the Grand Vitara.
The hybrid engine and gearbox combination here work better. The Across is of course, naturally-aspirated and front-wheel driven. No all-wheel drive here, a key difference with its Grand Vitara sibling. It also therefore, weighs, 1200kg which makes it relatively light for its application and a key reason why it feels more spritely and eager.
It drives with measured composure and through a scenic tour of the Western Cape’s coastal roads, the Across stood out in sea of other Suzuki products. Cape Town is a good market for Jimny’s, Ignis’ and even Grand Vitara’s and given the Across’ positioning and pricing which you’ll see below, there may just be more Suzuki-badged SUVs running around the region too. The Across throttle travel on the pedal is quite indirect meaning that sometimes a fair amount of pedal travel doesn’t result in much response from the engine especially between 0 – 20%. It takes some getting used to but simply means that should you need more immediate power, a harder push on the pedal is necessary or you can change down on the left paddle shift behind the wheel. Yes, the Across is fitted with paddles across both of the automatic variants and this helps. That said, the Across feels solid and drives with the composure and agility that we’ve come to expect from Suzuki. It’s not the most exciting powertrain, but we can’t say that about any of Suzuki’s products except for the Swift Sport. What that engine does provide, is a capable, dependable and really cheap-to-run product and that is the sensibility that prevails with this Japanese brand.
Has Suzuki done some work on the interior?
Indeed. Perhaps the most exciting change is Suzuki’s all new interior treatment. Everything is new from the seat fabrics and options to the actual console design, architecture and layout. Ambient lighting? Yes. That shines through the dashboard’s patterned material? Yes. It’s a whole new ballgame here and it works well. The steering, digital driver’s display and infotainment screen all sit within a fresh new design. Still surrounded by piano black plastic material as well as a decidedly odd dabble of copper on the console and seat stitching (in the top spec model), the cabin feels new and improved for sure. A 10.25 touchscreen infotainment system houses the nicest graphic set of any Suzuki product, with fast access and connection to Android Auto or CarPlay including wireless connection and wireless charging. The charging cradle features an integrated cooling vent for your phone which is great, though we weren’t quite sure how to turn it on or if it was simply part of the climate control system. Underneath the screen sits an array of physical buttons and dials to adjust the two zone climate control system, a very welcome and easy to use set. The highlight is a new multi-function steering wheel on which the media and adaptive cruise control buttons sit. The steering feels plush and the buttons are so good to use and feel.
Now is a good time to talk about the derivatives on offer and pricing:
There are two specs being offered across two transmission pairings. In normal Suzuki terminology, the range starter is the 5-speed manual, Across Mild-Hybrid GL. This is offered from R349 900 and comes very generously equipped. All of the connectivity mentioned above is standard, as is, a reverse camera with rear parking sensors, four USB-ports(type C), and six airbags. Also expect ABS, EBD, ESP and hill hold.
Move into the Across Mild-Hybrid GL 6AT and you get additional features such as cruise control, paddle shifters and an electronic parking brake. The price of the GL 6AT is R372 900.
The flagship Across 1.5 Mild-Hybrid GLX 6AT retails for R464 900. The GLX offers a heightened set of safety features housed within Suzuki’s semi-autonomous driving suite. This includes adaptive cruise control with steering ability, also then offering collision protection, emergency braking and lane keeping assistance. It’s part of Suzuki’s DSBS II module that uses wave radar and a monocular camera to detect vehicles, pedestrians, and bicycles. What I really like about the Across is that all of these features are easily engaged or disengaged at the push of a physical button from the panel on the right of the steering wheel. This is so important in a market becoming obsessed with housing all functions within the touchscreen infotainment system. Well done Suzuki. And thank you.
Added to that, the GLX adds touches of convenience and texture to the cabin experience including synthetic leather seats with a driver’s electrically adjustable pew, ventilated seats in front and a decent Harman Infinity audio system. A 360-view camera array adds to the tech while a 64-colour ambient lighting system and panoramic glass sunroof adds to the cabin feel.
All Across models are offered with Suzuki’s standard 4yr/60 000km service plan and a 5yr/200 000km warranty.
So what of the obvious question about how the Grand Vitara and Across play together, especially in such a price-conscious market and segment and in this case, brand.
The answer from Suzuki is simply to say that the market has the choice and the market will decide what they want. I’d guess that Suzuki’s legacy Grand Vitara is not selling in the volumes Suzuki was hoping it would and perhaps, the Across is here to further win over those who don’t quite see the value or allure in the Grand Vitara name or offering. Indeed it gives customers the choice and they are actually quite different models when you look at them with a bit more curiosity. Either way, the Across is fresh and fun and should be a better seller.
