Do you know that story where the Toyota RAV4 is also a Suzuki? That story is now being told for a second time. The recently updated Toyota RAV4 is indeed becoming a Suzuki. This is the new and always plug-in hybrid Suzuki Across.
Highlights Suzuki Across
Suzuki and Toyota have maintained a close relationship for years. In the Netherlands, it previously delivered the Suzuki Swace, based on the Toyota Corolla Touring Sports, and in the form of the Suzuki Across, Suzuki sold an SUV that was little more than a Toyota RAV4 with Suzuki badges and a Suzuki front. The Toyota RAV4 received a new generation midway through last year. Suzuki remained completely silent about the arrival of a new Across, but it is here now.
Design Suzuki Across
For the new Suzuki Across, the design team apparently had slightly less freedom this time to turn the RAV4 into a Suzuki. Whereas the previous Across had headlights it didn’t share with the original, the new Suzuki Across simply has the Toyota lighting in its front. In the Netherlands, the Toyota RAV4 – unless you opt for the GR Sport version – always has the front bumper with relatively large openings that function together as a grille. The Across does not get that look in the Netherlands, and the sportier GR Sport fascia also bypasses the Across. Although the Suzuki Across thus has its own face in the Netherlands, the bumper found on the front of the Suzuki also comes from Toyota. The Toyota RAV4 is also available with this front bumper elsewhere in the world, although naturally without a Suzuki logo.
The front of the Suzuki Across is identical to that of the RAV4 elsewhere in the world. It’s not entirely unique, although it appears to be so in the Netherlands.
The sides and rear of the new Suzuki Across are also entirely Toyota. Suzuki chooses to place its brand logo between the taillights, while Toyota writes out the car’s model name here. Inside the Suzuki Across, you’ll find a relatively ruggedly designed dashboard featuring, among other things, a 12.3-inch instrument cluster and a 12.9-inch infotainment screen. It won’t surprise you that the interior is also fully interchangeable with that of the RAV4. The same applies to what lies beneath the bodywork.
Up to 100 kilometers electric
Like the RAV4 in the Netherlands, the Suzuki Across is always a plug-in hybrid. While the Toyota RAV4 is available in two power variants (268 hp and 304 hp), the Suzuki Across will only come to us as a 304 hp plug-in hybrid. It has a 143 hp 2.5 four-cylinder engine supported by two electric motors: a 204 hp unit on the front axle and a 55 hp unit on the rear axle. This also makes the Across an all-wheel drive vehicle. Suzuki has not yet revealed how many electric kilometers you can cover thanks to the 22.7 kWh battery. The 100 kilometers that Toyota specifies for the 304 hp RAV4 will likely be quite indicative. The Across can tow up to 2,000 kg, reaches a speed of 100 km/h from a standstill in 6.1 seconds, and has a luggage compartment of 446 liters.
Prices for the new Suzuki Across are not yet available. The Toyota RAV4 with the same powertrain as the Across costs at least €52,795. A used Suzuki Across of the previous generation can be bought for approximately €33,000.