Suzuki Across was born from a agreement signed between Toyota and Suzuki in 2019 and therefore shares a lot with his sister Rav4 even if it differs in look making it sharper and more muscular; Across is only available in plug-in hybrid version and boasts a high-level engine solution characterized by a 2.5 4 cylinder Atkinson cycle engine – combined with an eCVT gearbox – from 185 hp and 3 electric motorsone from 182 cv which drives the front wheels, one from 52 cv which moves the rear and a third which acts as a support engine and which, at full speed, behaves like an alternator (ISG, Integrated Start Generator).
The battery is from 18.1 kWh and the combined power of the vehicle is well 306 hp which are effective and never excessive also given the mass of 1940 kg, managing to guarantee an excellent recovery from any speed. The presence of the plug-in hybrid and the Atkinson cycle engine allow for really low consumption and in our test, which ran for almost 1,000 km alternating 40% of motorway with urban and extra-urban sections, we recorded an average of about 6.2 l / 100 km. It should be emphasized that we were not able, also due to lack of time or physical availability of the stalls, to recharge the electrical part of the car daily, otherwise consumption would have been even lower.
The engine is ready but noisy during acceleration, this is given by the eCVT gearbox which keeps the revs high when power is required; despite being a 2.5 liter engine, we were really surprised by the total consumption. This figure demonstrates the technical goodness of the project signed by Toyota and Suzuki, in fact one average so contained on a petrol-powered car of this type it hadn’t happened to us yet. The manufacturer announces that the charging with a domestic socket takes about 8 hours; the internal charger, can only charge 3.3 kWh and therefore it will be necessary to wait a long time even if you connect to a public column. It should be emphasized how a plug-in becomes a truly effective solution when you have the possibility to load it daily in your garage, the declared autonomy is in fact of about 100 km with a full tank of electricity which in our test became about 80, an excellent result considering the various driving conditions.
Inside Across shows up well assembled and very well equipped, the presence of coolable and heated seats is always a plus and furthermore the controls for alternating the electrical part and the traditional engine are clear and simple to use as opposed to other similar cars; the rear seats, in addition to being very comfortable, also have the possibility of being heated.
Infotainment is not to be considered the strong point of this car, it is 7 ”central screen appears to be quite dated and not reactive at the right point – even if it still offers the possibility to use Apple CarPlay or Android Auto – a real shame because the rest of the car has really convinced us. The trunk is generous with its starting 490 liters which can however become 1604 by folding down the rear seats, it also has a 220V port for charging computers or attaching any type of accessory.
They are not missing numerous ADAS on this car, safety is in fact in first place on Across where we find the automatic emergency braking, the blind spot monitoring, the adaptive cruise control with lane keeping and also the recognition of road signs. We were also able to test the car on a short off-road route and we were pleasantly surprised traction response when Trail mode is set; moreover, the possibility of tackling these routes in total silence – thanks to the electric 4 × 4 – makes everything even more enjoyable.
The version we tested was in a curious two-tone, contrasting color, the bodywork was in fact white while the roof was light gray, an unusual combination which, however, was visually interesting.
The car is offered in Italy with two well-equipped set-ups, in fact, we find the TOP version from € 46,900 and the YORU version from € 48,900 which includes 19 ”wheels, eco-leather interiors, dual zone climate, full LED headlights and 100,000 km warranty; a lack, in our opinion, is theimpossibility of having a panoramic roof not even as an option, we would have liked it on a family car of this type. In general we liked Suzuki Across a lot and it was one faithful travel companion for the period of our trial; we were able to try it in various weather conditions and it has always proved to be up to par, starting from the snow and mud up to the classic Milanese pavé, the price at which it is offered on the Italian market is 56,900 euros.
