Review of the Suzuki Across

The Suzuki Across is a compact plug-in hybrid SUV that's practical and reliable. Coming with a competitive electric range and punchy performance, the Across is an appealing family SUV. 

Rivals to the Across include the Peugeot 5008, Ford Kuga, Skoda Kodiaq, Mazda CX-5, and Toyota RAV4.

Our Suzuki Across review covers:

• Rugged exterior with roof rails and good ground clearance 
• Comfortable and simple interior 
• 490-litre boot
• 2.5-litre plug-in hybrid 
• One trim level 

Pros:

• Good ride quality 
• Competitive electric range 
• Punchy performance 

Cons:

• Only one trim and engine are available 
• More expensive than rivals 
• Sluggish infotainment 

The Across is based on the Toyota RAV4 and shares its rugged and off-road-oriented exterior. However, it's not just been a copy-and-paste job. Suzuki has added a whole new front end, including a larger front grille and slimmer headlights. 

Climb inside the Across, and you'll find a comfortable and roomy interior. Throughout the cabin there's a good amount of leg and headroom, but the standout feature of the Across is just how wide it is. Passengers won't feel like they're getting encroached, which is better than the Land Rover Discovery Sport and Mazda CX-5. 

Boot space comes in at 490 litres, which is exactly the same as the RAV4 but smaller than the Volkswagen Tiguan. You get a hands-free boot opener, which works by waving your foot under the bumper, and once it's opened, you get a practical square space that's without a load lip. You can also fold the rear seats 60/40 to create an enormous load bay. 

The Across has a pleasant interior that's simple, classy, and clean. The dashboard is easy to use and features a range of soft-touch plastics and plush buttons, and the seats are comfortable and give you a good view of the road. The interior will fit the bill, but it's not as premium as the Peugeot 5008. 

Sitting on top of the dashboard is a 10-inch touchscreen infotainment that displays sharp graphics and is pretty straightforward to use. It comes with a DAB radio, Bluetooth, and Android Auto/Apple CarPlay, but doesn't have built-in sat-nav. 

Just one trim is available for the Across. You get 19-inch alloy wheels, black roof rails, LED lights, rear privacy glass, dual-zone automatic air conditioning, heated front and rear seats, a 10-inch infotainment system, a 12.3-inch digital instrument display, and a synthetic leather interior. 

You also get a range of driver assistance systems such as anti-lock braking, a blind spot monitor, dynamic radar cruise control, lane departure alert, and rear-cross traffic alert. 

Under the bonnet, you get a 2.5-litre plug-in hybrid engine with an automatic gearbox and four-wheel drive. Power is divided between a petrol engine and two electric motors, one on the front axle and one on the rear, that combine together to generate 302hp and shoot from 0-62mph in six seconds. 

Suzuki claims you can drive up to 47 miles on electricity alone, which is further than the DS7 and Ford Kuga PHEVs, and you'll also get an official fuel economy of 282mpg. 

The Across has a comfortable ride and a turn of pace, but its handling falls short of some of its rivals. Around town, you'll have no qualms with the Across. Its suspension deals with bumps in the road and potholes very well, and you get a good field of view out the front and side windows. Reversing is slightly tricky, but you get a reversing camera to help out. 

Get on to a motorway, and the Across has no issues reaching 70mph. Once you're at cruising speed, the Across is comfortable and reliable, but the only downside is that there's a noticeable amount of engine noise. 

Find yourself on a country road, and the Across falls short of its rivals like the Honda CR-V. Although the four-wheel drive system in the Across returns plenty of road grip and traction, the handling isn't responsive enough to have a bit of fun. 

Prices for the new Suzuki Across start from £49,000.00 OTR* or to lease from £462.66 per month.

Looking to get behind the wheel of the Suzuki Across? Nationwide Vehicle Contracts is one of the UK's largest car leasing brokers and offers a range of leasing deals to suit your every need.

Leasing may be cheaper than an outright purchase, thanks to a low initial deposit and fixed monthly rentals.

*' On the road' price correct at time of publication and includes one year's road fund license, DVLA first registration fee and number plate fee. Prices are subject to change; always check with your nearest retailer.