Suzuki Across | long-term test review

Our time with the Across has come to an end and as it heads back to Suzuki, I’m pleased to say that the plug-in hybrid SUV has more than lived up to my expectations.

In many areas, the Across delivers in spades: the list of tech and safety features is impressive, room both front and rear is generous, build-quality is high, and boot space is ample.

I’d have preferred a better-quality stereo sound system but it’s a minor gripe. The one it has is perfectly adequate but won’t impress any user chooser audiophiles. It also doesn’t have a sat-nav system, but a connected phone displays the map on the nine-inch infotainment screen.

According to the trip computer, fuel economy averaged just over 48mpg, which, as previously stated, would be greatly improved with regular charging as I’ve mostly relied on topping up at the office once a week.

For company car drivers its 46 miles of zero-emission driving puts it into the 7% tax bracket, meaning a monthly cost of £53 for a 20% taxpayer and £106 a month for a 40% taxpayer. It’s a very likeable car, so a worthy contender on anyone’s company car shortlist.

Impressive efficiency, but price is hard to justify

There's lots of choice for those seeking a plug-in hybrid SUV these days, but only a handful of the models on offer have a zero emissions range of 40 miles or more. This is an important factor for company car drivers, as it ensures a benefit-in-kind tax rate of no more than 8% (2021/22).

The Across eclipses this benchmark with its official range of 46 miles, giving it an advantage over cars like the Ford Kuga PHEV, the Peugeot 3008 Hybrid and VW Tiguan eHybrid. However, the new Kia Sportage PHEV also sits in the 8% bracket and may tempt buyers with its more distinctive styling.

One of the Across's biggest challenges is its price. At £45,554 (P11d), it's more expensive than all its mainstream rivals and even commands an almost £2,000 premium over the Rav4 PHEV - the very car on which it is based.

A top spec Sportage PHEV is both cheaper and has stronger residuals, netting it a 1.5p per mile advantage over a typical four-year cycle. Both cars have similar boot space and all-wheel-drive, too. In our experience the Across is among the best-in-class when it comes to real-world efficiency, thanks to that Toyota powertrain, but its drivability and equipment levels fall short of the new segment benchmark.

Suited to all scenarios

The Suzuki Across is suited to all types of driving scenarios, whether it’s city centre streets, on motorways or along country lanes.

Its high seating position gives a commanding view of the road ahead and the supremely comfortable seats will ensure you arrive at your destination feeling refreshed.

The relaxing drive is assisted by the numerous driver aids that come as standard – stick on adaptive cruise and stop/start journeys are tackled with ease. It’s a pleasant car to be in and the quality of materials inside the cabin is high. Leg and headroom is generous both front and rear.

The switch between petrol and battery power in this plug-in hybrid is seamless and only the minor annoyance is the engine noise when you put your foot down quite hard.

The infotainment system gets a nine-inch touchscreen and while it’s intuitive to use, it’s not the most dazzling on the market. As stated before, it doesn’t have a satellite navigation system so plug in your phone in and use that instead.

According to the trip computer, I’m averaging about 48mpg, which isn’t bad considering I’m unable to regularly charge the car at home and have been relying on weekly top-ups at work. Regular, overnight charging would yield a much better mpg figure.

Easy to order - just choose a colour

Drivers who find choosing optional extras for their company car a bit of a chore would do well to consider the Suzuki Across.

Available in just one trim level with one engine it’s packed to the rafters with technology.

There’s a nine-inch infotainment touchscreen with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and MirrorLink smartphone connectivity. There are heated front and rear leather seats, a heated steering wheel, electrically-powered tailgate, half-leather interior, dual zone air conditioning, Bluetooth, and a DAB radio.

There are two things I rarely use on the car. I’ve tried them both more than once and they just don’t work for me. One is the automatic high beam, which seems to turn off after I’ve already seen the car approaching, and the other is the lane assist function, as I like to feel as though I’m in control of the steering wheel. It’s a useful safety feature nonetheless.

Other safety credentials include a pre-collision system, dynamic radar cruise control, road sign assist, blind spot monitoring, rear cross traffic alert, plenty of airbags and eCall, a system that will contact the emergency services if the vehicle is involved in an accident.

Now the weather’s improving, I’m looking forward to taking the car out on some longer trips to assess its handing in different scenarios.

Having said that, the car’s E-Four electronic 4x4 system that offers extra grip in adverse driving conditions has given me reassurance when driving on icy country roads in recent weeks.

If you want some involvement in the options decision-making process, then you can choose the colour; there are six available. In retail, it’s not a cheap car at £46,000 but for company car drivers its 46 miles of zero-emission driving puts it into the 7% tax bracket, meaning a monthly cost of £53 for a 20% taxpayer and £106 a month for a 40% taxpayer. 

Well-equipped, but no app

The Suzuki Across offers enough storage space to keep most drivers and front seat passengers happy, with multiple areas for keys, phones, coins and other paraphernalia. There’s even a small compartment above your head for sunglasses.

Something I’ve appreciated on previous plug-in hybrids is having a dedicated app that allows communication with the car via a phone. It’s a useful tool to check the level of charge if the car’s plugged in, for example. This is particularly useful if you share charging points with colleagues and ideally should move the car as soon as the battery’s full, or if you’ve left the vehicle a a public charging point and want to know when it’s ready for collection.

Suzuki doesn’t offer this, so I’m also not able to remotely check things like fuel level and mileage or set the car to pre-warm/cool before embarking on a journey. Not vital, but certainly one of life’s little comforts for fleet drivers.

However, once inside, winter chills can quickly be banished with front and rear heated seats and a most welcome at this time of year heated steering wheel. A heated windscreen would have been the icing on the cake, but it does have heated washer jets, which although won’t help defrost an icy windscreen (I’ve found it be the opposite in fact) will allow you to give the screen and headlights a quick clean with a blast of water as soon as you start your journey.

As well as the various compartments previously mentioned, there are two cup-holders front and rear and suitable door bin space in all the doors to hold a bottle. Boot space is ample and the seats are a fixed 60:40 split; it swallowed our 6ft Christmas with ease. There’s no loading lip so sliding things in and out is a breeze.

You also get a 12V power socket in the luggage area, as well as in the front console so you can charge all manner of gadgets on the go.

Suzuki Across joins our fleet

The Across plug-in hybrid SUV is the result of a collaborative agreement between Suzuki and Toyota and is based on the Rav4.

It’s powered by a 2.5-litre petrol engine and two electric motors, and provides all-wheel-drive, even in fully-electric mode. Maximum power is rated at 306PS, giving the car a 0-60mph acceleration time of just six seconds – this car is quick!

You might think a £46,000 price tag is expensive for a Suzuki, and you’d be right. But not only is this car packed with equipment, its 46 miles of zero-emission driving puts it into the 7% tax bracket, meaning a monthly cost of £53 for a 20% taxpayer and £106 a month for a 40% taxpayer.  

There’s only the one model available, so what you see is what you get. Having no options to consider shouldn’t mean you’re left wanting. Its extensive spec list includes adaptive cruise control, LED headlights, lane assist, electric tailgate, blind spot monitor, rear cross traffic alert (handy when reversing out of a parking space), reclining rear seats and a nine-inch infotainment system.

And the heated steering wheel and front and rear heated seats are most welcome on chilly days.

It is missing a satellite navigation system, so, like me, you may be a little surprised to see a ‘map’ button on the display unit. It’s not completely useless, however, as it’ll display your mobile phone’s map if connected via Apple CarPlay or Android Auto.

First impressions of the car are positive. It’s very comfortable with generous space both front and rear and seems to be practical. I’ve only done local journeys in the Across, but I’ve got a few work trips coming up this month so I’m looking forward to getting some more miles in and seeing how it performs on longer motorway journeys.