For us, Suzuki stands primarily for small cars and handy off-roaders. But because the market is demanding other models and alternative drives, the Japanese have negotiated with Toyota and used the large partner's range. The supposedly new Across is therefore also an old acquaintance.
Don't we know each other from somewhere? If you stumble across the new Across at a Suzuki dealer these days, you should scratch your head twice. The Japanese have never had such a large SUV, and certainly not with a plug-in drive. And no other new car with a base price of 58.280 euros. On the other hand, the Across, which next to cars like the Jimny looks almost like a colossus, seems strangely familiar. No wonder. Because as the child of a relatively young alliance between Suzuki and Toyota, the Across is only a very discreetly modified RAV4, with which the junior partner wants to round off its portfolio and, thanks to the socket connection, reduce its fleet consumption at the same time. Because with a standard consumption of 1,0 liters, the currently largest is also the most economical Suzuki in the fleet.
Equipment could be more abundant
Suzuki attracts newcomers from models like the SX4 or the Vitara with larger dimensions, better equipment and a more pleasant ambience. It is not for nothing that the Across measures 4,64 meters, offers plenty of space on all seats with a 2,69 meter wheelbase and attracts load masters with 490 to 1.604 liters of luggage space. Even if, unlike Toyota, Suzuki does not offer a head-up display, does without the rear-view mirror with panorama camera and saves navigation with touchscreen infotainment, extras such as distance control with lane guidance or the assistants when maneuvering backwards are sought in many other models the Japanese in vain. And the cockpit may still look comparatively sober, but it is much more classy than anything that Suzuki had to offer so far.
As with the RAV2, there are two electric motors with 4 kW / 40 PS on the rear axle and 54 kW / 132 PS on the front axle to counter the large CO180 footprint. Because the battery installed under the floor of the car stores up to 4,5 kWh after 7,5 hours on the wallbox or excruciatingly long 18,1 hours on the socket, the electricity is sufficient for 75 kilometers in the best case. To ensure that practice remains as close as possible to theory, the Across is available, for example, as one of the few plug-ins with a heat pump for maximum efficiency in air conditioning.
Stromer is worth it
When charged in this way, the Across looks almost like a pure electric car at the beginning of the journey: It starts without a combustion engine, it roams silently through the city and it is also an electric soloist in the country: With a sprint value of 10 seconds and 135 km / h There are hardly any reasons to start the 2,5-liter four-cylinder with its 185 hp at top speed.
If you do this anyway, either by changing the driving mode or starting with a kickdown, you will experience the Across from a rather unusual, because sporty side at Suzuki: With a system output of 225 kW / 306 PS and the sum of 227 thermal and 270 and 121 electric Nm the most powerful model in history, it develops a brute forward thrust that brings the tires close to their grip limit: From 0 to 100 in 6,0 seconds, you would not have expected from an eco.
Gasoline can get loud
But be careful: Even if it has more punch at the traffic lights than some sports cars, the Across is not a car for the aggressive: Firstly, the continuously variable CVT transmission is annoying when the driving style is too sporty, which creates the rubber band effect even after noticeable optimization loops by the Toyota engineers has still not quite dropped. After all, even the thick insulating glass cannot completely hide the exhausted yowling of the gasoline engine. And secondly, at the latest, 180 things are over again. In addition, the chassis may iron out the three additional hundredweight of plug-in as well, but springs and dampers are not really designed for dynamism. Basically, the Across is a family-friendly cruiser. However, the SUV is also suitable as an adventurer: Because Suzuki is usually serious about off-road use, the saver also has all-wheel drive.
So far so good. But at the latest when looking at the price list, Suzuki buyers scratch their heads one more time. Because while Toyota has the RAV4 as a plug-in hybrid from 47.490 euros, Suzuki is asking for almost 11.000 euros more for the clone from the cooperation. At least in this point, the smaller of the two partners shows the greater courage.
Technical data
Five-door, five-seater mid-range SUV; Length: 4,64 meters, width: 1,86 meters (width with exterior mirrors: not specified), height: 1,69 meters, wheelbase: 2,69 meters, trunk volume: 460 - 1.604 liters
Plug-in hybrid with 2,5-liter four-cylinder petrol engine and two electric motors; 225 kW / 306 PS, maximum torque (petrol engine): 227 Nm at 3.200 - 3.700 rpm, all-wheel drive, automatic CVT, 0-100 km / h: 6,0 s, Vmax: 180 km / h, electric top speed 135 km / h, electric range 75 km, standard consumption: 1,0 liters / 100 kilometers, CO2 emissions: 22 g / km, emissions standard: Euro 6d, efficiency class: A +, price: from 58 280 euros
In brief
Why because no Suzuki offers more space and more prestige
Why not because it offers fewer features and costs more than the original
What else The long-running VW Tiguan or the Toyota RAV4
When does he come already in the trade
