The Suzuki Across at a glance
It gets full at the Suzuki dealerships
And now everyone: “Kizashi”. I beg your pardon? Those familiar with the Japanese language will now know for sure that this word can best be translated with “signs” or “accidentals”. Car fans with a penchant for niche products will remember 2010.
At that time, Suzuki also squeezed the mid-range Kizashi sedan into the sales rooms of its dealers in Germany, which were – and still are – designed for small cars and compact off-road vehicles.
History repeats itself and the sedan with 178 hp and optional all-wheel drive, which was offered rather unsuccessfully until 2015, is indeed a kind of omen in retrospect. Because at the end of 2020 it will be called “moving closer together” again in the Suzuki showroom.
Toyota hybrids for Suzuki
The importer is bringing two new cars onto the market that are actually not that new. The Toyota Corolla Touring Sports Hybrid with a new brand emblem arrives as the Suzuki Swace. The Suzuki Across (combined fuel consumption: 1.2 l / 100 km; combined power consumption: 16.6 kWh / 100 km; combined CO2 emissions: 26 g / km²) is the result of a cooperation with Toyota. It largely corresponds to the new RAV4 plug-in hybrid (here in the test).
The background: Like all manufacturers, Suzuki also has to adapt the model range to the EU’s requirements for CO2 fleet emissions. It is important to avoid expensive penalties. As mild hybrids, the small cars Ignis and Swift save one or two grams of pollutants, as does the Vitara. The whole thing was fatal for Jimny, he will probably only return to Europe as a commercial vehicle.
Suzuki does not yet have its own electrified cars in its range, so the mutual exchange with Toyota helps. As a plug-in hybrid, the Across significantly reduces the CO2 balance.
When transforming into a Suzuki SUV, the RAV4 has a new front end. The front bumper was designed differently, the grill protrudes a little further forward. That makes for a few centimeters more length, the Suzuki Across is 4.64 meters long.
The standard LED headlights have a different cut on the inside. At the rear, the Suzuki logo is stuck under the window, along with the lettering. That’s it Not only the emblems that refer to the plug-in hybrid, even the polished 19-inch alloy wheels are taken from the original.
Is studying price lists one of your hobbies? Then you will now notice that Suzuki has taken the RAV4 in the highest equipment variant as a model. Translated, this means: The Suzuki Across always drives up with a technology and style package.
No navigation system with Across
Now it’s getting a little more complicated. Because Suzuki doesn’t make it that easy for research. Some equipment details are missing. The JBL sound system, for example. And the black contrasting paintwork for the roof and exterior mirrors. You can live with that. Unfortunately, the Across also saves seat ventilation for the driver and front passenger, as does the memory function for the electrically adjustable driver’s seat.
When you press the buttons around the nine-inch infotainment menu, you get a surprise: the navigation system is also omitted. Suzuki cites the behavior of its own customers, who prefer to use their own smartphone app for route guidance, as the reason. Perhaps there are also licensing reasons behind it.
The iPhone is quickly paired via the USB port and the route guidance is shown on the display. The resolution of the screen corresponds to that of the Toyota, so it looks a bit dusty and pale.
The same applies to the digital displays in the instrument cluster behind the steering wheel. At least the information can be read clearly here. The tank and battery contents as well as the energy demand from the hybrid system are displayed in the same way.
Big battery, little charging power
The lithium-ion battery in the Japanese SUV has a capacity of 18.1 kWh. An above-average value for a plug-in hybrid. So it is surprising that Toyota and Suzuki are installing a snoring 3.3 kW on-board charger. The Across is parked for five hours at the e-charging station, which is one hour longer than many charging current providers have now set as the maximum charging time without penalty.
The large battery then ensures ranges that are suitable for everyday use. In summer we were able to drive just over 60 kilometers electrically with the RAV4, and now with the Across in wintry conditions we were able to drive 53 kilometers before the software ended EV driving mode. Good values and in most cases fully sufficient for office commuters.
And then? In order to determine the fuel consumption, we deliberately drove longer distances with an almost empty battery. The Across can never be seen entirely without electrons in its memory, also because it is recuperated when braking. So it drives like a full hybrid that has gained a lot of weight. The load weighs over two tons.
In this context, the 8.2 liters of petrol per 100 kilometers seem acceptable. In the test average, the thirst for fuel, in addition to charging at the home socket (and thus without a precise display of the amount of electricity), leveled off at 6.8 liters per 100 kilometers.
Three engines, 306 HP system output
225 kW / 306 PS system output sound generous. They also ensure proper propulsion without making the Suzuki Across an athlete. This value is generated from the interaction of three motors.
A 2.5 liter four-cylinder vacuum cleaner with an output of 136 kW / 185 hp is located under the front hood. It drives the front axle, as does a 134 kW / 182 PS electric motor. In addition, there is a second e-machine with up to 40 kW / 54 PS of power on the rear axle, thus ensuring electric all-wheel drive.
A stepless automatic controls the interaction of the complex technology. As you are used to from Toyota hybrids, you don’t notice anything about the interaction apart from the brief energy flow display. Everything works calmly. When accelerating sharply in hybrid mode, the gasoline engine raises its voice, as is typical of a CVT, which even the additional insulation materials and a special acoustic windshield cannot completely keep away from the passengers.
Up to a speed of 135 km / h can be driven purely electrically, the top speed is limited to 180 km / h. At the push of a button, you can not only switch from EV to hybrid mode on the go, but also charge the battery with the help of the burner. Although this is energetic nonsense, it could be helpful in some countries or cities if the target is located in a local zero-emission zone.
In city traffic, a doughy feeling on the brake pedal is annoying, which is difficult to control. Incidentally, there is also energy recovery, there are no adjustable levels using shift paddles on the steering column.
The driving comfort at low speeds has to struggle with the mixture of taut set-up and large rims. While the Across is lying on the road at high speed, it stumbles awkwardly over broken roots or manhole covers in zones 30.
That’s what the Suzuki Across costs
At this point, it’s time to talk about money. And here, too, the Toyota RAV4 Plug-in Hybrid is invited to the table. In the basic version, this costs from 47,490 euros (all prices including 19% VAT). Then you are amazed – the Suzuki Across is over 10,000 euros more expensive and is in the German price list from 58,279.22 euros.
But we remember the abundance of equipment. The RAV4 with both option packages is 60,351.63 euros expensive, but has the above-mentioned extras and a head-up display ahead of the Across. But the Suzuki dresses in a metallic color at no extra cost.
In a nutshell: the Suzuki Across Plug-in Hybrid costs no less, adjusted for equipment, than the Toyota RAV4. And that’s not the end of the bill. With the base price of less than 40,000 euros net, the RAV4 qualifies for an innovation bonus of 6,750 euros (plus VAT on the manufacturer’s share). With the more expensive Across you can only deduct 5,625 euros (plus VAT) after a successful application.
Conclusion
It should not be easy to sell significant numbers of the Suzuki Across. The dealers have to address a new group of customers for the large and expensive car. Then it is important to make a good offer. Because at the latest after the overall calculation with the innovation bonus, it becomes the more expensive twin of the Toyota RAV4. Regardless of this, it is also a solidly built car with plenty of space and comfort that is standard for its class. The complex drive works reliably, the large battery ensures an above-average range. (Text and image: Bernd Conrad)