SUZUKI ACROSS ESTATE 2.5 PHEV E-Four 5dr CVT

Suzuki's Across PHEV pushes the brand up-market - in more ways than one. Jonathan Crouch takes a look.

Ten Second Review

Suzuki, always known for their dependable and reliable SUV's, are entering a more expensive sector of the market with the larger and slightly more aspirational Across model. If it looks more than a little familiar to you, then that's because it's almost entirely based on a Toyota RAV4 - the Plug-in version to be specific. This as a result of a new collaboration with Toyota. But can the Across make its own distinct mark?

Background

Smaller Japanese makers aren't having an easy time in the European market just at present, so Suzuki's recent move to strengthen its ties with Toyota was a sensible one. And one of the results of that is this mid-sized plug-in SUV, the Across, Suzuki's take on Toyota's RAV4 PHEV. We're going to see more cloned cars of this kind in the future - one's actually already here, the Swace, Suzuki's lightly re-badged version of the Toyota Corolla Sports Tourer. What both of these models have done is to give the brand a short-cut towards the full-Hybrid engineering it desperately needs to cut its model line-up's average CO2 output in Europe and avoid punitive fines from Brussels. To date, Suzuki's own so-called 'Hybrid' engineering has actually been of the 'mild hybrid' sort that can't ever allow independent running on battery power and which, therefore, has relatively little real-world effect on economy or emissions. So being able to offer a PHEV is extremely useful for the brand.

Driving Experience

Under the bonnet of the Across sits a 2.5-litre 4-cylinder 'Dynamic Force' engine with two electric motors, a larger more powerful one mounted at the front axle and another, slightly smaller one, at the rear. They draw their power from an 18.1 kWh battery and drive is put to the wheels through a CVT auto gearbox. The total combined power output, 306hp, is vastly more than any Suzuki has ever offered before; the 62mph sprint takes just 6 seconds. More significantly, the WLTP-rated EV driving range is 46 miles. The car has four powertrain settings. In the default 'EV' mode, the car is driven purely by the electric motors, even under hard acceleration. Selecting 'Auto EV/HV' will allow the petrol engine to contribute to the drive such as when accelerating, or at higher speed when required. Moving into 'HV' mode offers the same, whilst in 'Battery Charge' mode the engine alone will run and fully recharge the battery through energy recuperated under braking. The car's four wheel drive system, dubbed 'E-Four', utilises the independent rear electric motor to work alongside the front to split the drive depending on conditions. Power can be distributed from as much as 100% to the front axle, or split 20/80 front/rear if required. The car's 'AWD Integrated Management System' (AIM) not only controls this power flow, but also the throttle control, the gearbox, the amount of assistance given to the electronic power steering and also the brakes. This makes driving under slippery, or even just damp, conditions much more sure-footed and also enhances the handling depending on road surface. The car also offers a clever automatic limited slip differential control, 'Trail Mode', which will brake individual wheels that are losing grip, and redistribute the power to the remaining ones that aren't.

Design and Build

The design of the Across is, well, pretty much the same as its RAV4 cousin, save for the badging, some bespoke alloy wheels and a slightly reworked front end. But that isn't necessarily a bad thing as the basic design still cuts a distinctive dash with its chunky off-roader looks and sharp creases. Suzuki has always favoured more rugged looks for its SUVs and the Across continues to follow that theme with big wheel arch extensions and silver front and rear skid plates. LED headlamps with bi-beam projector lights sit alongside the big, open grille. Gloss back roof rails and 19-inch gloss black alloy wheels with polished facings complete the look. Inside, again there's is very little to distinguish this Suzuki from it's Toyota cousin. However, the Across does come slightly better appointed, which goes some way to justify that premium price-tag. Part-leather seats with 8-way power adjustment on the driver's side give a commanding view over the dashboard with its high-mounted 9.0-inch touchscreen infotainment system, which features 'Apple CarPlay' and 'Android Auto' as standard. This is strictly a five-seater but there's reasonable space for a couple of adults on the rear bench. And you get a decently large boot (for a PHEV Crossover anyway) of 490-litres.

Market and Model

Suzuki are not expecting the Across to sell in high sales numbers; given the price of nearly £47,000, you wouldn't expect that. Establishing the model will be key to its success, as will the need for market acceptance of a car at that price level wearing a Suzuki badge. Rivals in this class can be found in the shape of four wheel drive Hybrid versions of the Vauxhall Grandland X, the Range Rover Evoque P300e and the Peugeot 3008 Hybrid, but they all cost slightly more than this Suzuki. The segment leader, Mitsubishi's Outlander PHEV, is (in equivalent 'Exceed' trim) almost the same price as this Suzuki. If you're considering similarly sized Crossover PHEVs like plug-in versions of the Ford Kuga and the Citroen C5 Aircross, bear in mind that they're only 2WD, which is why they're significantly cheaper. The Across is certainly well equipped, with leather upholstery, heated front and rear seats, a heated steering wheel, Dual Zone Automatic Air Conditioning, an auto function opening tailgate and a 9-inch central multimedia touchscreen. There's lots of camera safety kit too, including an autonomous braking 'Pre-Collision System' (PCS), 'Lane Tracing Assist' (LTA) and 'Dynamic Radar Cruise Control' (DRCC), which use a millimeter-wave radar and monocular camera. There's also a 'Blind Spot Monitor', 'Road Sign Assist' and 'Rear Cross Traffic Alert'.

Cost of Ownership

Where the Across starts to make a lot of sense in the running costs. With the battery size and alternative drive modes, it is possible to commute with the car and never have the petrol engine actually come on, thus giving the benefits of a full EV. Then, when needed, say for longer trips, or even to recharge the battery level, the engine can be used sparingly. You can even charge it from a 3-pin plug so even the need for a dedicated home wall-box charger is almost negated. Suzuki suggests that the car is capable of a combined economy figure on the WLTP cycle of 282mpg. As usual in plug-in territory, this isn't ever likely to be replicated by the average owner. As a feather-foot, we suppose 80-90mpg might theoretically be possible but your realistic average is going to be much less than that - and certainly less than you'd get from an equivalent diesel model. We've already given you the WLTP driving range (46 miles); as usual with this type of car, around 25 miles is more realistic. The CO2 figure is an impressive 22g/km, meaning a consequent a Benefit-in-Kind tax rating of just 6%. Charging takes around five and a half hours using a 230V/32A connection. The charging process can be programmed for a week on a day-to-day basis, including the facility to simultaneously charge the battery and pre-heat or pre-cool the cabin. The warranty is 3 years/60,000 miles, which does seem a little behind the curve these days, especially given that Toyota offers a 5 year/100,000 mile warranty on its hybrid vehicles. Thatcham rates the car in group 39E for insurance purposes.

Summary

In moving a little further up-market and adopting full-Hybrid technology, Suzuki had to start somewhere and re-badging established Toyota technology is as good a place as any to begin. Like the Suzuki's Swace (another re-badged Toyota), the changes here over the donor model are slight, but the value proposition is reasonable when you take specification into account. Otherwise, the benefits here are pretty much as with any other SUV plug-in hybrid in this class. You'll have to ask yourself whether you really need 4WD in such a car; if you don't, there are significant savings to be made with other rivals. You might also ask yourself whether you really need to plug in. Again, if you don't, a self-charging Toyota RAV4 Hybrid makes a much more cost-effective alternative. If this Suzuki's blend of virtues hits the spot for you though and you're offered the right deal, we wouldn't necessarily dissuade you from an Across. Maybe though in the future, Suzuki can return to its own brand of more individual engineering. For the time being though, this car might suit its model range just fine.

Body Glass

1 speed rear wiper + washer

2 speeds front wiper with intermittent + washer

Automatic wipers

Electric front windows

Electric rear windows

Green tinted windows

Rear privacy glass

Rear window demister

Sun shade print on windscreen

UV cut glass with windscreen and front door windows

Brakes

Anti-lock Brake System + Electronic Brakeforce Distribution + Brake assist

Electronic parking brake

Hill descent control

Hill hold control

Chassis/Suspension

Vehicle Stability Control (VSC)

Communication

eCall emergency call system

Smartphone link display with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto

Driver Aids

Kick operation tailgate

Tailgate open with wireless remote control

Tailgate opener with electromagnetic type and inside remote control button

Driver Convenience

3 mode driving dial

Driving support system

Dynamic radar cruise control

ECO accelerator guidance

ECO score

Emergency stop signalling system

Front and rear parking distance sensors

Lane centering function

Lane departure alert function

Rear cross traffic alert

Rear parking camera

Road sign assist - (RSA)

Speed limiter

Steering assist function

Vehicle sway warning function

Driver Information

10.5-inch touchscreen

12.3-inch full colour LCD info display

Blind spot monitor

Digital clock

E-Four system display

Energy monitor

Lights on and key in reminder

Service interval indicator

Trip information

Driving Mirrors

Automatic anti glare rear view mirror

Body colour exterior door mirror

Electric adjustable door mirrors

Electrically folding door mirrors with built-in turn signal lamp

Heated door mirrors

Embellishment Trims

Silver instrument panel centre ornament

Silver instrument panel ornament

Synthetic leather instrument panel

Entertainment

Bluetooth audio streaming

DAB Digital radio

Front and rear speakers

Front tweeters

Speed sensing volume control

Steering wheel mounted audio controls

Type C USB ports in front and rear console

Exterior Body Features

Black front grille

Black roof rails

Body Colour Exterior Door Handles

Dual exhaust pipes

Front, rear and side under garnish

Front, rear skid plate garnish

Rear side wing doors

Rear upper spoiler

Shark fin antenna

Exterior Lights

'Guide me home' headlamps

Automatic headlamp levelling

Automatic headlights

Automatic high/low beam

High mounted stop lamp

LED front fog lights

LED position lamps

LED projector headlamps with DRL

LED rear combination lights

Rear fog lights

Heating/Cooling/Ventilation

Dual zone automatic air conditioning with S-Flow mode

Pollen filter

PTC (Positive Temp Co-efficent) heater

Rear ventilation

Interior Features

12V Accessory socket

12V Accessory socket in front console

2 cup holders in the rear centre armrest

2x Front and rear door bottle holders

2x Rear coat hooks

3 spoke leather steering wheel

Centre console storage tray

Charging cable

Console box with armrest

Cupholder lights

Fabric/synthetic leather upholstery

Front assist grips x2

Front cupholders x 2

Front tray lights

Gearshift paddles

Glove box with key

Heated steering wheel

Leather covered black with satin chrome accent shift knob

Luggage area net hook x 4

Luggage cover

Overhead console

Rear assist grips x2

Rear centre armrest

Satin chrome inside door handles

Silver door trim ornaments

Synthetic leather door armrest

Synthetic leather door trim inserts

Synthetic leather front and rear door trim

Telescopic steering wheel adjustment

Tilt adjustable steering wheel

Interior Lights

Front footwell and centre lower console box lights

Front LED map reading lights

LED luggage area light

Rear cabin LED lights

Safety

3 point ELR front seatbelts with pretensioner, force limiters and height adjustment

3 Point ELR rear centre seat belts

3 point ELR rear seatbelts with pretensioner, force limiters x2

Childproof rear door locks

Curtain airbags

Driver and passenger airbags

Driver knee airbag

Front and rear seatbelt reminder

Front passenger airbag deactivation

Front side airbags

Pre collission system

Tyre pressure monitor

Seats

2 Isofix seat anchors

3 seat bench in 2nd row

60/40 split folding rear seat

8 way power adjustable drivers seat

Child seat tether anchorage points x3

Driver seat back pocket

Front headrests

Front passenger seat height adjustment

Front passenger side seatback pocket

Front seat electric adjust lumbar support

Heated front seats

Heated rear seats

Rear headrests

Reclining rear seats

Single front passenger seat

Security

Deadlocks

Freewheeling key cylinders

Immobiliser

Keyless entry and start

Locking wheel nuts

Remote central locking

Security alarm

Speed linked door lock

Transmission

E-Four electronic 4x4 system

Vanity Mirrors

Driver/passenger sunvisors with illuminated vanity mirrors

Vehicle Charging

6.6 kW onboard charger

Home charging cable

Wheels - Alloy

19" polished alloy wheels

Wheels - Spare

Space saver spare wheel

Electric Vehicle Data

Battery Capacity % guaranteed under warranty: N

Battery Capacity in kWh: 18.1

Battery Charging Scenario 1 - Charge Time (Mins): 474

Battery Charging Scenario 1 - Percentage Change: 0-100

Battery Charging Scenario 1 - Power Supply - kW: 2.3

Battery Charging Scenario 2 - Charge Time (Mins): 366

Battery Charging Scenario 2 - Percentage Change: 0-100

Battery Charging Scenario 2 - Power Supply - kW: 3

Battery Charging Scenario 3 - Charge Time (Mins): 294

Battery Charging Scenario 3 - Percentage Change: 0-100

Battery Charging Scenario 3 - Power Supply - kW: 3.7

Battery Charging Scenario 4 - Charge Time (Mins): 165

Battery Charging Scenario 4 - Percentage Change: 0-100

Battery Charging Scenario 4 - Power Supply - kW: 7.4

Battery Leased: 0

Battery Type: Lithium-ion

Charging Port Location: Right Side Rear

Coupler/Connector Type: Type 2

Maximum Charging Rate - kW: 7.4

Standard manufacturers Battery warranty - Mileage: 60000

Standard manufacturers Battery warranty - Years: 5

Usable Battery Capacity: 14.5

WLTP - Equivalent AER (km) - Comb: 75

WLTP - Equivalent AER (miles) - Comb: 46.6

Emissions - ICE

CO2 (g/km): 26

HC+NOx: N

Particles: N

Standard Emissions: EURO 6

Emissions - PHEV

WLTP - CO2 Weighted (g/km) - Comb: 22

Engine and Drive Train

Camshaft: DOHC

Catalytic Convertor: No

CC: 2487

Cylinder Layout: IN-LINE

Cylinders: 4

Engine Code: A25A-FXS

Engine Layout: FRONT TRANSVERSE

Fuel Delivery: MULTI POINT FUEL INJECTION

Gears: 1 SPEED

Number of Valves: 16

Transmission: AUTO

Fuel Consumption - ICE

EC Directive 1999/100/EC Applies: 0

Fuel Consumption - PHEV

WLTP - FC Ch Sus (l/100km) - Comb: 6.6

WLTP - FC Ch Sus (l/100km) - Extra High: 7.7

WLTP - FC Ch Sus (l/100km) - High: 5.7

WLTP - FC Ch Sus (l/100km) - Low: 7.7

WLTP - FC Ch Sus (l/100km) - Medium: 5.3

WLTP - FC Ch Sus (mpg) - Comb: 42.9

WLTP - FC Ch Sus (mpg) - Extra High: 36.8

WLTP - FC Ch Sus (mpg) - High: 49.7

WLTP - FC Ch Sus (mpg) - Low: 36.6

WLTP - FC Ch Sus (mpg) - Medium: 53.1

WLTP - FC Weighted (l/100km) - Comb: 1

WLTP - FC Weighted (mpg) - Comb: 282.4

General

Alternative Fuel Qualifying: No

Badge Engine CC: 2.5

Badge Power: 302

Based On ID: N

Coin Description: PHEV E-Four

Coin Series: N

Did at least one aspect of this vehicle's safety give cause for concern?: 0

Generation Mark: 1

Insurance Group 1 - 50 Effective January 07: 40E

NCAP Adult Occupant Protection %: N

NCAP Child Occupant Protection %: N

NCAP Overall Rating - Effective February 09: N

NCAP Pedestrian Protection %: N

NCAP Safety Assist %: N

Service Interval Frequency - Months: 12

Service Interval Mileage: 12500

Special Edition: 0

Special Order: 0

Standard manufacturers warranty - Mileage: 60000

Standard manufacturers warranty - Years: 3

Timing Belt Interval Mileage: 999999

Vehicle Homologation Class: M1

Performance

0 to 60 mph (secs): 0

0 to 62 mph (secs): 6

Engine Power - BHP: 302

Engine Power - KW: 222

Engine Power - PS: No

Engine Power - RPM: 6000

Engine Torque - LBS.FT: 167

Engine Torque - MKG: 23.1

Engine Torque - NM: 227

Engine Torque - RPM: 3200

Top Speed: 112

Test Cycles

Emissions Test Cycle: WLTP

RDE Certification Level: RDE 2

Tyres

Alloys?: No

Space Saver?: No

Tyre Size Front: 235/55 R19

Tyre Size Rear: 235/55 R19

Tyre Size Spare: SPACE SAVER

Wheel Style: N

Wheel Type: 19" ALLOY

Vehicle Dimensions

Height: 1690

Height (including roof rails): N

Length: 4635

Wheelbase: 2690

Width: 1855

Width (including mirrors): N

Weight and Capacities

Fuel Tank Capacity (Litres): 55

Gross Vehicle Weight: 2510

Luggage Capacity (Seats Down): 1168

Luggage Capacity (Seats Up): 490

Max. Loading Weight: 570

Max. Towing Weight - Braked: 1500

Max. Towing Weight - Unbraked: 750

Minimum Kerbweight: 1940

No. of Seats: 5

Turning Circle - Kerb to Kerb: 10.4

Exterior Body Features

Metallic paint

Mica paint

Paint - Metallic

Metallic - Grey

Metallic - Silver

Paint - Mica

Mica - Attitude black

Mica - Dark blue

Mica - Sensual red

Paint - Pearlescent

Pearl - Platinum white

Trim - Part Leather

Fabric/synthetic leather - Grey