About the Suzuki Across
At first glance, you might wonder why anyone would pay this much for a Suzuki SUV. Surely that kind of money would get you something with a premium badge in this segment? But then you start to dig a little deeper. Premium-badged PHEV crossovers with AWD from the 2020-2025 era all cost slightly more; or a lot more once you demand a spec up to the level of an Across. Even comparable volume-branded models struggle to match the price and value proposition of this one - this model's clone, the Toyota RAV4 Plug-in, for instance.
Of course, all of this assumes that you actually want all of the things this Suzuki was engineered (by Toyota) to deliver. If you don't actually need all the advantages of Plug-in hybrid tech - or won't plug in often enough to use them - then lots of other mid-sized SUVs from this era will satisfy you more sensibly. And if you have decided you want a PHEV crossover, if you don't actually need AWD with it, then again, you'll want to save hugely over the requested asking price here and get something more suited to your needs. The fact that, unlike most of its rivals, Suzuki can't offer you options in areas like these will enormously restrict the brand's potential impact on this segment.
If though, this Suzuki's blend of virtues hits the spot for you and you're offered the right deal, we wouldn't necessarily dissuade you from an Across. In fact, there are some things about it we really like. The fact that unlike most rivals, its claimed 46 mile EV driving range is actually achievable, for a start. There's also a lot of kit included for the money, including items that would cost extra or require a pricier trim level with most rivals - though navigation (which should be standard) is a notable exception here. That's one irritation; and there are a couple of others, the rather over-lengthy charging time requirement and a rather firm quality of ride. Otherwise though, there's lots to like.
In summary, the Across is quick, well built and easy to live with, plus it goes further on its battery than nearly all its class rivals, all attributes that might endear you to this car and make you feel able to justify its price tag. We just wish Suzuki's rather individual approach to style and engineering also lay among these attributes. As it is, just about everything that's good about this car is really down to Toyota. Does that matter? If you decide you'd like an Across, then you probably won't think so.
