Japan fights back: Suzuki Across and Mitsubishi Destinator SUVs launching in SA soon
The Suzuki Across (left) and Mitsubishi Destinator will arrive on South African shores later this month.
Image: Supplied
South Africa’s compact-to-medium SUV market is largely dominated by Chinese imports, which have captivated the market in recent years with their bargain price tags and high-tech interiors.
However, at least two Japanese brands are fighting back, with Suzuki set to release its new Across and Mitsubishi unleashing its Destinator. Both are set to be launched on the local market later in March.
The two are not direct competitors, however, with the 4,360mm-long Across slotting into the compact end of the C-segment SUV market, and the Destinator is closer in size to Toyota’s RAV4 at 4,680mm.
Let’s take a closer look at the two new contenders.
Suzuki Across
Not to be confused with the Suzuki Across sold in Europe, which is a larger and more expensive rebadged Toyota Rav4, the South African version is based on the Indian-built Suzuki Victoris.
Although touted as Suzuki’s local flagship, the Across is just 15mm longer than the Grand Vitara, also sharing its 2,600mm wheelbase, and it appears there will be a great deal of pricing overlap too.
The Suzuki Across is based on the Victoris model sold in India.
Image: Supplied
Pricing kicks off at R349,900 for the 1.5 Mild-hybrid GL manual. The GL six-speed automatic is priced at R372,900, while the flagship 1.5 Mild-hybrid GLX auto is yours for R464,900.
Local outputs for the 1.5-litre normally aspirated Mild-hybrid engine haven't been announced, but it's unlikely to stray far from the 76kW and 139Nm quoted for the Indian market. The vehicle is also offered as a ‘strong hybrid’ in India, pairing a 68kW 1.5-litre engine with a 59kW electric motor, but this variant has not been confirmed for the local market.
Suzuki SA has confirmed that the Across will be available in GL and GLX variants, with standard features including a 10.1-inch HD infotainment system, 10.25-inch digital driver info and a powered tailgate.
The Across is slightly larger than the Grand Vitara.
Image: Supplied
In addition, the GLX variant gains an eight-speaker Infinity Premium sound system by Harman, 64-colour ambient lighting, and an eight-way power-adjustable driver’s seat. The front seats are also ventilated in the flagship model.
Watch this space for more local details closer to launch.
Mitsubishi Destinator
The Mitsubishi Destinator, not to be confused with the similarly-named vehicle you stole in GTA 5, is built in Indonesia and was designed specifically for emerging markets in Asia, the Middle East and Africa.
While resembling the Outlander Sport, which is built at the same location, the Destinator is a longer and more family-friendly offering, with seating for seven and 25 innovative storage spaces scattered throughout its interior.
The Destinator seats seven and will slot above the Outlander Sport.
Image: Supplied
Pricing has yet to be confirmed, but expect it to slot between its aforementioned sibling, which starts at R449,990, and the Outlander, which kicks off at R759,995. Its closest rival is likely to be Hyundai's Grand Creta.
South African models will be powered by a 1.5-litre turbopetrol engine that produces 120kW and 250Nm, with power going to the front wheels via a CVT transmission.
Although four-wheel drive won’t be offered, the vehicle does offer five driving modes, as well as Active Yaw Control for trickier road surfaces.
According to Mitsubishi SA, local customers can look forward to features such as a panoramic sunroof, 65-colour ambient lighting, a Yamaha audio system, a 12.3-inch infotainment screen, and an 8.0-inch digital instrument cluster.
The local importer Motus says the first 20 customers will be able to purchase the vehicle at a special price, and will also receive a “substantial mystery prize”.
Final specifications and pricing will be released later this month.
IOL Motoring