Suzuki's new Across C-SUV for under R500k hits all the right notes

If there was an award for consistently hitting the right notes in a tough environment, Suzuki would be on the podium every time.

With most South Africans looking to buy in the sub-R500,000 segment, the second placed manufacturer on the monthly sales charts has every part covered.

Include reliability, fuel consumption and a decent dealer network and it’s easy to see why they are doing so well.

Their latest release in the cluttered C-SUV space in the form of the mild-hybrid Suzuki Across, that’s now their flagship SUV, will no doubt hit all the right notes as well.

Exterior

It’s very much a standard Suzuki SUV design with a wide stance and clean body lines. Up front, it features narrow LED projector headlamps with integrated daytime running lights, connected by a chrome strip across the grille.

The lower section incorporates a large intake, circular fog lamps and an aluminium-look underguard.

Black cladding around the wheel arches and side sills gives it a functional look, while 17-inch alloy wheels are standard across the range.

The GL rides on dark grey alloys, and the GLX gets dual-tone machined wheels.

At the rear, a full-width taillight cluster spans the tailgate, paired with an integrated roof spoiler and shark-fin antenna. The bumper includes a skid plate-style insert.

Interior

Inside, the Indian-built Across is well put together with a three-level dashboard with stitched finishes and a central control stack positioned above the console.

There are multiple cup and bottle holders, a centre console box, 60:40 split rear seats and a boot-mounted 12V socket.

Other features include an illuminated glovebox and wireless charging and the rear passengers get ventilation outlets.

Model range

The Across range consists of two derivatives: GL and GLX.

The GL comes standard with a 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster and a 10.1-inch touchscreen infotainment system with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.

It also gets cruise control, a reverse camera, rear parking sensors, USB-C ports and automatic air conditioning.

The GLX adds synthetic leather upholstery, an electrically adjustable driver’s seat and ventilated front seats as well as a head-up display, 360-degree camera system, ambient lighting and a panoramic glass sunroof.

Driver assistance systems on the GLX include adaptive cruise control, autonomous emergency braking, lane-keeping functions and blind spot monitoring.

Drivetrain and engine

Power comes from Suzuki’s K15C 1.5-litre naturally aspirated petrol engine paired with a mild-hybrid system delivering 76kW and 137Nm, with the integrated starter generator assisting under load and recovering energy during deceleration.

The system is supported by a 12V lithium-ion battery and includes stop/start functionality.

Transmission options include a five-speed manual or six-speed automatic on the GL, while the GLX is offered with an automatic torque converter only with gearshift paddles. 

Technology

Technology features across the range include a digital instrument display and touchscreen infotainment with smartphone connectivity.

The GLX expands on this with a head-up display, 360-degree camera system and additional driver assistance systems.

Other features include wireless charging with cooling, multiple USB-C ports and an electric parking brake on automatic models.

Driving

We drove the GLX during the launch in Cape Town that included some highway driving and a route around the Cape Peninsula, similar to what the Cape Town Cycle Tour hopefuls completed the prior weekend.

The seats are comfortable and supportive and with the electronic seat adjustment, the driving position can be adjusted to suit every driver size.

The digital instrument cluster is clear and crisp and once you’ve figured out which layout you want all the information is easy to see.

I would perhaps want a bigger hybrid system readout because it’s always interesting to see how your driving style affects optimising the hybrid set-up.

A shout out to manufacturers that still have physical buttons and dials for air conditioning and volume control so you don’t have to grapple with touchscreens and sub menus. 

Android Auto and Apple Carplay connected easily and like the instrument cluster the infotainment system is easy to use with crisp graphics and almost no lag.

Suzuki engines have never been shy to hover around the redline and it’s no different with the Across. 

It’s not a lightning bolt and was never intended to be but we did give it some hard right foot and it responded well enough with decent road manners and suspension over some bumpy tar roads. 

Noise insulation is good with a slight whine coming through to the cockpit when pressed hard but given its price-point and market position it’s remarkably quiet.

I doubt owners will be doing it regularly though and while cruising along the cluttered Chapmans Peak and Camps Bay roads the Across truly comes into its own. 

Steering is light and slightly vague but owners aren’t looking for sportscar response and feedback but ease of steering and being able to get in and out of tight spaces like parking and shopping malls.

The ADAS system is pleasantly subtle and not overly sensitive or hysterical.

Suzuki claims a combined fuel consumption figure of 5.3l/100km. Our consumption stood at 6.2l/100km which included some spirited driving so it’s not too far off the mark if driven as intended.

Verdict

We’ll get to grips with the Suzuki Across with a full road review later, but for now we feel it’s a decent value proposition that’s practical and well put together and is comfortable to drive with enough features and technology to cover most bases.

Pricing and warranty

The range is sold with a four-year/60,000km service plan and a five-year/200,000km warranty.

Across 1.5 Mild-hybrid GL 5MT: R349 900

Across 1.5 Mild-hybrid GL 6AT: R372 900

Across 1.5 Mild-hybrid GLX 6AT: R464 900