Suzuki Across PHEV: we drive the "twin" SUV of the Rav 4 plug-in hybrid

Because of one of those things that sometimes happen behind the scenes, this is the first time I have had the chance to test a new market launch before the brand that makes it has started selling it. It is the Suzuki Across, which is really the new Toyota Rav 4 PHEV, not yet on sale in our market.

Suzuki’s viability as a brand in Europe depends on lowering the average emissions of its range. And with no plug-in hybrid or electric model to its name, the deal with giant Toyota has come at just the right moment. Technically, the Across and the Rav 4 PHEV are the same car, built by Toyota and sold by Suzuki in Spain through its dealer network, where it will also provide the after-sales service. Aesthetically, Suzuki has been allowed minimal cosmetic changes, besides adding its logos. The agreement also stipulates that Suzuki will sell a single mechanical and equipment configuration.

Before getting down to business, let’s recall the main features of this car: it is a family-sized SUV with a plug-in hybrid powertrain that delivers a combined output of 306 CV and all-wheel drive. Its electric-mode range is among the highest in its class: 75 km. It therefore carries the DGT’s ZERO emissions label.

The design of the Suzuki Across versus the Rav 4

Any resemblance between the Suzuki Across and the Toyota Rav 4, as we have already pointed out, is no mere coincidence. Quite the opposite. Suzuki has been able to adapt the front end, with a different grille, bumper and light clusters. The rest, whichever way you look at it, is a Toyota Rav 4. It would be practically impossible to tell them apart were it not for each brand’s badges. And the same goes for the interior: 100% Toyota, with everything that implies, for the good. Namely: notable build quality, quality materials, good ergonomics…

The exterior dimensions are 4.63 metres long, 1.85 wide and 1.69 high, with a wheelbase of 2.69 metres. Ground clearance is 190 mm, and the bodywork has generous protection around the wheel arches, as well as on the underside at the front and rear. Suzuki offers six body colour options for the Across, of which the mica red, pearl white and metallic silver are particularly eye-catching. The standard wheels are 19-inch alloys with a polished finish.

We leave you with a video in which you can see the Across in action.

https://youtu.be/tFvvajarFL4

Powertrain: power and efficiency

For its powertrain, the Suzuki Across uses a 2.5-litre, four-cylinder naturally aspirated petrol engine producing 185 CV and 227 Nm of torque, with an integrated alternator/generator that doubles as the starter motor. Working alongside the petrol engine is a powerful 182 CV, 270 Nm electric motor driving the front wheels. On the rear axle there is a third motor that drives only the rear wheels, with 54 CV and 121 Nm of torque.

The announced total system output is 225 kW (306 CV). Although there is no mechanical connection between the two axles, the Across has all-wheel drive, thanks to an electric motor dedicated exclusively to sending its power to the rear axle when needed.

With a capacity of 18.1 kWh, the liquid-cooled lithium-ion battery sits under the floor. It provides a range of 75 kilometres, among the highest in this class; we will see whether the same figure is finally homologated for the Rav4 PHEV, which was announced with about 10 km less. As standard it includes a conventional charging cable for use with a household socket, and another Mennekes-type cable, which cuts charging time to about 3 hours to reach 80% capacity.

On the road with the Suzuki Across

Although the power figure, or the 6 seconds it claims for the 0 to 100 km/h acceleration, might suggest otherwise, the Suzuki Across is not a car that feels especially dynamic. Mind you, I don’t mean it lacks performance. It goes very quickly, and well. But except on occasion, it doesn’t give the impression of being a car with more than 300 CV. And the chassis is not designed to make use of the power the powertrain can generate when driven in a sporty manner.

The aim here is different: comfort, refinement and efficiency. And that is achieved 100%. From what we saw in this first drive, the WLTP-homologated range in electric mode is no bluff, and it should not be at all difficult to exceed 70 km without using any fuel if you set off from home with a full charge. That is an area where the Across has the edge over most of its rivals, which hover around 50 km.

The default mode on start-up is electric, and it is maintained until the battery runs out or as long as you stay below 135 km/h, even if you floor the throttle looking for maximum acceleration. You can select hybrid mode at the push of a button. Here the operation of the three motors is combined, but electric driving is still prioritised whenever conditions allow. And consumption stays very low.

As a data point, on our route along mountain roads at a good pace and frequently using the “sport” programme of the four available (the others being “eco”, “normal” and “trail”, intended for driving on tracks or dirt roads), the average came out at 5.6 l/100 km over a journey of almost 100 km. The trip computer showed almost 60% electric driving.

From there on, as with the vast majority of plug-in hybrids, fuel consumption can even double once you no longer have the energy reserve provided by the battery, especially if you are not careful with your right foot. To stop consumption from soaring, until you can recharge at a socket you need to drive smoothly, preferably in ECO mode and anticipating the road ahead, to take advantage of the ability to recover energy under deceleration and braking. To do so, the driver can use the paddles behind the steering wheel, which let you adjust the level of regenerative braking.

The suspension works very well, filtering out bumps effectively. Even off the tarmac, “piste-bashing” along dirt tracks, there are no annoying bounces. I wasn’t able to put the 4×4 traction system under pressure to check its true effectiveness, but it is increasingly common in this class to find cars with “electric” drive to the rear axle that provide enough support for easy off-road excursions, which is the most that owners of this type of car do.

Otherwise, the Across is a car that prefers straight roads or motorways, where it can cover kilometres in a relaxed way. Twisty roads, if you want to drive “briskly”, are too much for it, due to a very soft rear suspension setting that, only in these situations, upsets the car’s overall balance, making it struggle to change direction with ease and even reducing the precision of the steering.

Interior: quality and space

It’s not that Suzuki makes cars that don’t offer a good level of finish, far from it. But the Japanese brand had no car in this price category, where the demands are higher still. And Toyota’s backing offers the highest guarantees. Remember that behind the wheel, the only difference between the Across and a Rav 4 is the logos; everything else is 100% Toyota.

The driving position stands out for the multimedia screen in a raised position, with physical controls at the sides that make it easier to use than navigating menus by touch. The instrumentation is also digital, the seats in this version offer a magnificent compromise between support and comfort, and the materials give a feeling of quality and robustness, with that elegant touch provided by the black and red upholstery with contrast stitching on the dashboard too.

As for space, talking about the Across would be repeating what we can say about the Toyota Rav4. Good dimensions in all seats, ease of getting in and out, good visibility… The boot loses out compared with a non-plug-in hybrid Rav4, but it stays at 490 litres, expandable to 1,604 by folding down the seats; a very reasonable figure. The fuel tank has a capacity of 55 litres of petrol.

Equipment and price of the Suzuki Across PHEV

The Across PHEV is sold in a single GLX trim level, with no option to add extras. Nor will it be necessary, as it comes with absolutely everything. Among the highlights are the LED headlights, rain and light sensors, 19-inch alloy wheels, rear camera, heated steering wheel and seats, 9″ multimedia screen, 7″ digital instrumentation, leather upholstery, smart key, electric driver’s seat, hands-free boot opening and adaptive cruise control.

To this we must add the Safety Sense package, already familiar from Toyota, with pre-collision assist, automatic high beams, lane departure alert, driver fatigue alert, lane-keeping function and road sign assist.

And all this, at what price? Well, with the 1,850 euros from the promotional campaign, the price of the Suzuki Across comes down to 53,700 euros, not counting the grants from the Moves plan, with a five-year warranty and the option to start paying in 2021 for those customers who complete the purchase now.

The PHEV SUV alternatives to the Suzuki Across

Until Toyota puts the Rav 4 PHEV on sale shortly, the Suzuki Across is an alternative to the plug-in hybrid SUVs that have been appearing on the market in the wake of the Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV, which is less powerful and less costly, and now has a promotional offer that makes it a very interesting option.

In this group, closer to the Outlander than to the Across in price and power, we find the new Ford Kuga PHEV, Citroën C5 Aircross PHEV, Opel Grandland X PHEV and Peugeot 3008 PHEV. A step up, aiming at the 50,000 euro price to match the Across, the similar alternatives would be the best-equipped 4×4 versions of the DS 7 Crossback E-Tense or the new Land Rover Discovery P300e.

Suzuki Across PHEV image gallery