Used Suzuki Across (Mk1, 2020-date) buyer's guide: a Toyota RAV4 in disguise
With the narrowest possible model range and a high asking price, the Suzuki Across was never going to be a big hit with buyers. But while the Across has never been all that alluring as a new purchase, as a used buy it's more enticing. The entry cost makes more sense, and with all Acrosses being so well equipped, as a £25k buy it's easy to be tempted. We wouldn't try to dissuade you from making the leap, but before you do, bear in mind that the more expensive RAV4 comes with an extra two years of warranty as standard, and 90 litres of extra boot space thanks to its smaller battery pack. Advertisement - Article continues below
When is a Toyota RAV4 not a Toyota RAV4? Answer: when it's a Suzuki Across (pronounced A-Cross). As soon as Toyota bought a 4.9 per cent stake in Suzuki in 2019, it was inevitable that the two companies would share resources. But Suzuki went way beyond that with the Across: it simply stuck its own badges onto Toyota's popular mid-size SUV, and it's none the worse for that.
The RAV4 is a great car, but many Suzuki owners are very loyal to their local dealer, so by offering a rebadged RAV4 it opened up a new market for Suzuki. But not a very big one...
The Suzuki Across arrived in the UK in November 2020. There was just one model available: a 302bhp plug-in hybrid with a 2.5-litre four-cylinder petrol engine and two electric motors. An 18.1kWh battery was fitted, while every Across came with four-wheel drive and a continuously variable automatic transmission. Skip advert Advertisement - Article continues below View Across View Across View Across
Just one high-spec trim level was offered, priced at £45,599. From summer 2022 the on-board AC charger was increased from 3kW to 6kW, to bring charging times down (at home and when using public chargers), while much of the interior lighting was upgraded to LED, and some of the minor switchgear gained illumination. You can tell the updated cars by their USB-C charging ports inside; earlier cars had type A ports.
The Across is big and heavy (it weighs 1,940kg), but Toyota has done a pretty good job of disguising that bulk because the handling is tidy and grip levels are high. The transmission is super-slick, refinement is superb and the performance is also strong; 0-62mph takes just six seconds on the way to an electronically limited top speed of 112mph. What lets the Across down is the ride, which isn't as composed as it should be.
All you have to decide is what colour you want and what mileage suits you best. Having said that, there are very few high-mileage Acrosses, with most examples yet to go beyond the 30,000-mile mark. Advertisement - Article continues below
Equipment levels are generous, with all examples coming with heating for the front and rear seats as well as the steering wheel, synthetic leather trim, dual-zone climate control, an electric tailgate, a nine-inch touchscreen with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, front and rear parking sensors plus a rear camera, and (unusually) a spare wheel. Also on the standard kit list were 19-inch alloy wheels and LED headlights; there were no options available, but dealers do offer a range of accessories.
Toyota's RAV4 is the most obvious alternative; it's far more readily available than the Suzuki and there's a wider model range. If a plug-in hybrid powertrain is important to you, we'd also suggest you take a look at the Hyundai Tucson, Peugeot 3008 and Vauxhall Grandland, all of which come as a PHEV. You should also shortlist the Ford Kuga, while BMW offers the X1, X2 and X3 in plug-in form. Skip advert Advertisement - Article continues below
The Honda CR-V Mk6 (from 2023) is a seven-seat alternative, while the Jaguar E-Pace and F-Pace are less obvious choices. Or you could buy a Range Rover Evoque, Mazda CX-60, Mercedes GLC or Renault Rafale – and don't forget the Volkswagen Tiguan or the Volvo XC60. All of these came as plug-in hybrids.
On the pull Advertisement - Article continues below
The Across is able to tow any caravan or trailer weighing up to 1,500kg; the limit for anything unbraked is half this, at 750kg.
Safety
Euro NCAP has tested the RAV4 but not the Across. The Toyota earned five stars thanks to a huge array of standard safety kit, which is also offered in the Suzuki.
Economy
Suzuki claims a 46-mile range on electric power and up to 282mpg. It's not hard to achieve that EV range in everyday use, while 50mpg is a realistic average.
Peace of mind
The Across comes with a three-year warranty with a 60,000-mile cap. But have your Across serviced by an official dealer and this can be extended to as much as 10 years or 100,000 miles.
We like the Across's cabin because it's well laid out and features high-quality materials, so there's a premium feel. Impressive infotainment systems are now the norm, but the Across's set-up disappoints with its lack of sharpness and slightly small size. The dashboard layout is easy to get on with, thanks to well placed switchgear and generally clear instruments, although the latter is a bit busier than it needs to be.
There's lots of space around the cabin for oddments, while fully grown adults can easily get comfy in the back seats thanks to decent head and leg room. Boot space is good at 490 litres, or 1,168 litres with the back seats folded; that's 90 litres less than in the RAV4.
There are probably more Acrosses up for sale than you might think, although the classifieds are bolstered by brand-new cars in stock at dealers. Discounts of £2,000 aren't hard to find, but at this level you'll still have to stomach a lot of depreciation. Black and white are the most popular colours, but not far behind are blue, grey and silver. Red is the least common hue. Advertisement - Article continues below Skip advert Advertisement - Article continues below
Check the price of a Suuzki Across with our free car valuation tool...
The Across needs to be serviced every 12 months or 12,500 miles, with the first two services priced at £241 and £407. From year three, discounted maintenance kicks in and the schedule runs Minor (oil and filter change for £149), Intermediate (Minor plus fresh brake and clutch fluid for £219), Minor again, then Major (Interim plus new air and pollen filters for £299).
The engine is chain-driven so there's no cambelt to change. Insurance is group 40 (the RAV4 is groups 34-37), and because all Acrosses cost more than £40,000 when new, the annual road tax bill (at current rates) is a hefty £620 until the car's sixth birthday.
Suzuki has issued two recalls for the Across so far. The first one came in March 2023 and it affected 234 cars made in the 12 months from June 2020; the RAV4 had the same recall. The problem centred on the hybrid drive system, which could shut down in low temperatures, potentially leading to a crash. The solution was to reprogramme the system's ECU with fresh software.
Faulty circuit boards were fitted to 362 Acrosses made up to May 2022, and this led to the second recall, in August 2023. To see if any Suzuki that you're thinking of buying is subject to any recalls, just type its VIN into https://cars.suzuki.co.uk/owners/recall-repair.
The Across has never appeared in a Driver Power survey, but the RAV4 came a very impressive fourth out of 50 in our 2024 poll. There were lots of top-five scores including for the powertrain, safety, practicality, reliability, all-round visibility, gearbox smoothness, fuel economy and the number of standard safety features – among many others. The infotainment is the only significant black mark.
You can find your perfect new Suzuki Across with our Find A Car service. View Across View Across View Across Car Deal of the Day: A Volkswagen Golf R Estate for less than a GTI
Car Deal of the Day: A Volkswagen Golf R Estate for less than a GTI
The Golf R Estate is one of the best performance estates around – and right now it's criminally cheap. It's our Deal of the Day for 9 June. Should Citroen make a new 2CV? Some say oui, others say non
Should Citroen make a new 2CV? Some say oui, others say non
A new Citroen 2CV could be inbound, but would this be a French fancy or a financial flop? Car Deal of the Day: A fully-loaded Jeep Avenger for under £200 per month
Car Deal of the Day: A fully-loaded Jeep Avenger for under £200 per month
The petrol-powered version of Jeep's charming baby SUV is our Deal of the Day for 8 June
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
BBC News
an hour ago
- BBC News
Road to close in Burntwood as resurfacing work to begin
A residential road will be closed during the day for three weeks while resurfacing work is carried County Council's highways teams are carrying out significant works at Burntwood's Spinney Lane, between Bells Lane and Shelley £350,000 project will also include cleaning of all drainage systems, replacing damaged kerbs and ironwork where necessary and the replacement of road closures will be in place each day between 07:30 and 17:30 BST, but could be lifted earlier - and vehicle access to homes will be restricted during the works. A diversion route will be clearly signposted on Cecil from Staffordshire County Council said workers would try to keep disruption to a minimum. "As we move into summer our highways crews are making the most of the good weather to repair as many roads as possible," he added."Spinney Lane is in poor condition, and this programme will give it a smoother road surface that should last for years to come." Follow BBC Stoke & Staffordshire on BBC Sounds, Facebook, X and Instagram.
BBC News
2 hours ago
- BBC News
Irwin assessed in hospital after practice crash
Glenn Irwin has been taken to hospital for assessment after crashing during a free practice session at the third round of the British Superbike Championship at Snetterton on Northern Ireland rider came off his Hager PBM Ducati at Turn Nine during FP3 and the session was subsequently 35-year-old missed qualifying as his injuries were assessed.A statement released by the race organisers before Saturday's qualifying explained Irwin's absence."Glenn Irwin was taken to the circuit medical centre after a crash in Free Practice 3," the statement read."Following x-rays on his hip and right leg at the medical centre where nothing was visible, he has been taken to Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital for further scans and is unfit for Qualifying. Further updates will follow when available."The opening British Superbike race of the weekend will take place at 16:00 BST, with two further races scheduled for Ray secured pole position in qualifying, from defending BSB champion Kyle Ryde second and Rory Skinner leads the series standings on 86 points after the opening two rounds at Oulton Park and Donington, with Irwin 12 adrift on 74 and Ryde third on has secured four podium finishes from the first five races of the season.
Auto Blog
2 hours ago
- Auto Blog
This Is The Most Expensive Lexus Model In America
Top Lexus Is A True Range Rover Rival When Lexus originally arrived on the scene with the first LS sedan, it was pitched at a lower price point than its rivals from Germany, a move that played a significant role in that car's success. Over 35 years later, Lexus is established enough as a trusted luxury brand to push the luxury envelope further, without paying as much attention to pricing. One model in particular, the most expensive new Lexus in America, is on a mission to see just how far upmarket the brand can go. Let's see what the most expensive new Lexus is. Previous Pause Next Unmute 0:00 / 0:09 2025 Ford Maverick: 4 reasons to love it, 2 reasons to think twice Watch More The LX 700h Ultra Luxury Is The Priciest New Lexus Source: Lexus Starting at exactly $140,000, this is Lexus' most expensive car, and by some margin, too. It's also the most expensive Lexus SUV ever. This price excludes the destination charge of $1,450, but thankfully, there are hardly any optional extras, as everything is standard. The LX, of course, is the brand's full-size luxury SUV with seating for up to seven occupants. The LX 700h Ultra Luxury is unique, though, as it comes with a four-seater configuration that prioritizes rear-seat comfort over ultimate seating capacity. Typically, only full-size sedans have such a layout, not SUVs, making this LX a rarity. Let's look into what the most expensive Lexus offers in more detail. Design: Impossible To Miss Although it's not as large as a Cadillac Escalade ESV, the Lexus LX takes up plenty of space with its 200.5-inch length. At 74.6 inches in height, you need to be well over six-feet tall to see over its roof. Autoblog Newsletter Autoblog brings you car news; expert reviews and exciting pictures and video. Research and compare vehicles, too. Sign up or sign in with Google Facebook Microsoft Apple By signing up I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy . You may unsubscribe from email communication at anytime. The front fascia is dominated by an enormous grille, giving this Lexus enough overtaking presence to intimidate a full-size pickup. This is a body-on-frame SUV, not a crossover, and the rest of it has the muscular stance that's typical of a proper SUV; it strikes a neat balance between utility and luxury. Being the most expensive new Lexus you can buy, the LX 700h Ultra Luxury has the following standard exterior features: Automatic door closing Power rear door with kick sensor 22-inch forged alloy wheels LED lighting with headlight washers Windshield wiper de-icer Power tilt-and-slide moonroof For more of a military look, you can specify Nori Green Pearl paint, but there are also two greys, black, and white. Interior: Impressive Luxury But Reduced Versatility It's here where the Ultra Luxury differentiates itself from other LXs. Instead of a third row or a traditional second-row bench, this variant has two captain's chairs in the second row. They don't quite offer the stretch-out space of the back seat in an S-Class, but they're still very comfortable. Remember, too, that you can enjoy this level of luxury while still going off-road. These back seats can also recline up to 48 degrees, while the right rear passenger can electrically move the front passenger seat forward for more space. Diamond-stitch semi-aniline leather covers all four seats, and the Ultra luxury gets unique Takanoha wood trim. It's the most luxurious Lexus SUV you can buy. These are some of the standard feature highlights: Power-adjustable, heated, and ventilated front seats Massaging driver's seat Power-adjustable, heated, ventilated, and massaging rear seats Powered right rear ottoman Heated and powered steering wheel 12.3-inch touchscreen and seven-inch vehicle information display 12.3-inch gauge cluster Dual 11.4-inch rear entertainment screens 25-speaker Mark Levinson sound system Hands-free parking system Panoramic-view monitor Multi-terrain monitor Head-up display In our review of the LX 700h, we found it to be supremely comfortable and that Mark Levinson sound system to be phenomenal. A downside to the lavish rear seating arrangement is much reduced practicality. These back seats can't fold flat, so you're left with the normal trunk for all your cargo. At 30.9 cubic feet, it's not particularly large for an SUV of the LX's size. Performance: Quick Enough And Truly Capable Off-Road Source: Lexus Despite all the bling, this is still a proper body-on-frame SUV under the skin. This, together with the full-time four-wheel-drive system and electronic locking center differential, gives the LX true off-roading credentials. It also has Crawl Control with Turn Assist and the Multi-Terrain Select system that lets you choose between different drive modes. However, it's not quite as capable as the LX Overtrail, which also has front and rear locking differentials. The adaptive variable suspension provides a generally smooth ride on normal roads, but don't expect the silky smoothness of a full-size luxury sedan. Source: Lexus To cope with a curb weight of 5,945 pounds, the LX 700h pairs an electric motor with the 3.4-liter twin-turbo V6. It produces 457 horsepower and 583 lb-ft of torque, and will hit 60 mph in 6.4 seconds – a few tenths quicker than the non-hybrid LX. The powertrain is wonderfully smooth and quiet, and the combined 20 mpg rating is a slight improvement over non-hybrid models. Towing capacity maxes out at 8,000 lbs, which is beaten by the biggest SUVs from General Motors, but it should still be enough for most. How Much Is A Fully Loaded LX 700h Ultra Luxury? There are no optional extras for this Lexus, as it's already equipped with every available feature. However, Lexus has 155 accessories available for the SUV, from cross bars to a dashcam, a roof rack, an ARB Elements fridge/freezer, and much more to turn this into a dream camping trip vehicle. You can get much closer to the $150k mark by adding enough of these accessories. Other Expensive Lexus Models If you want the best possible Lexus money can buy, the two models below get closest to the LX 700h Ultra Luxury. There are also a few other LX trims for over $100k. Lexus LC 500 Convertible Bespoke: $112,450 Source: Lexus By far the brand's most glamorous car, the LC 500 Convertible is also the most expensive Lexus sports car. It has jaw-dropping looks and a 471-hp V8 engine to die for. In Bespoke guise, it is available with more customization options than the normal LC Convertible. The 0-60 sprint takes 4.6 seconds and is accompanied by an engine note that the brand's V6 hybrid couldn't hope to match. Lexus LS 500h: $115,210 Source: Lexus This is the most expensive Lexus sedan on sale. Its V6 hybrid powertrain develops 354 hp, but the sleeker and lighter sedan body means it's much quicker than the LX, hitting 60 in 5.2 seconds. Rear legroom is even better than in the LX, and you also get reclining seats. If you don't need the capability of an SUV, this is a better pure luxury car than the LX 700h Ultra Luxury. Summary: Most Expensive Lexus Fills A Unique Niche Most people who want an SUV that can go off-road are willing to accept that they won't be getting the most luxurious model. However, the LX 700h Ultra Luxury is one of the most comfortable ways to go on your outdoor adventures, while still remaining refined enough for normal commuting. If you only want a luxury car, we'd recommend saving a lot of money and getting an LS. But if you must have an SUV, we can see the appeal of the top LX. We'd also suggest taking a look at the Range Rover, though. It's similar in concept to the LX – blending off-roading abilities with impeccable luxury – and the Autobiography model isn't much more expensive than this Lexus. About the Author Karl Furlong View Profile
