Name: Suzuki Across (2020 – present) | Expert Rating | The Car Expert
Item: Suzuki Across
Rating: 68.0

Summary

When the European Union introduced new average CO₂ limits for car manufacturers, with stiff fines for each gram over, Suzuki was set to take a big hit. The simple answer, sign a deal with hybrid experts Toyota.

This has allowed the launch of the Suzuki Swace – basically a Toyota Corolla – and the Suzuki Across, the brand’s first plug-in hybrid but actually a Toyota RAV4 – The Sun describes the car as “unashamedly a copy-and-paste RAV4.”

Like all PHEVs the official eco figures of the Across (Ay-cross, not Ah-cross, Top Gear tells us) are flawed, but as reviewers point out mpg of 282 miles and CO₂of 22g/km is a boon for tax-strapped company car drivers. Particularly as Suzuki offers just one range-topping version of the Across with lots of equipment – but a price to match.

You can get a cheaper RAV4 hybrid in self-charging form, but with equipment taken into account the Suzuki is a slightly cheaper version of the top plug-in model, combining a 2.5-litre petrol engine with an electric motor for 302hp. Also, the motor drives the rear axle, so you get all-wheel drive. And as Parkers highlights, the 46-mile electric only range is useful but not restrictive.

Differences between the Toyota and Suzuki? Very few, effectively a restyled grille and a badge, plus some slight variations in equipment levels. Reviewers add that the cabin is robust and functional, adding to the car’s potential appeal as a PHEV with proper off-road capabilities.

As of January 2025, the Suzuki Across currently holds a New Car Expert Rating of B with a score of 68%. That’s two points lower than its donor, the Toyota RAV4.

More Suzuki ratings, reviews, news and features

Across highlights

Excellent official eco figures
Toyota reliability and build
46-mile electric-only range
Swift acceleration and refined roadholding
Extensive specification

Across lowlights

Official mpg figures don’t equate to real life
Expensive range-topper model only
Low-rent interior finish
Toyota offers cheaper hybrid model
Less impressive warranty than Toyota

Key specifications

Body style: Medium SUV/crossover
Powertrain: petrol/electric plug-in hybrid
Price: From £45,599 on-road

Launched: Autumn 2020
Last updated: N/A
Update due: TBA

Image gallery

Media reviews

Highlighted reviews and road tests from across the UK automotive media. Click any of the boxes to view.

Auto Express+

Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 7 / 10
“Suzuki has used its relationship with Toyota to good advantage with the Across. It’s quick, well built, easy to live with and spacious. But we found the ride a bit too firm for us, while the forthcoming identical Toyota version will certainly beat it on warranty, if not price.”
Read review

Auto Trader+

Model reviewed:
Score: 8 / 10
“The Suzuki Across delivers practicality and efficiency paired with a surprising turn of speed.”
Read review

Carbuyer+

Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 8 / 10
“The Suzuki Across is a practical plug-in hybrid SUV with an impressive electric range.”
Read review

Carwow+

Model reviewed:
“Plug-in hybrid SUV based on the Toyota RAV4 offers super-low running costs with great performance.”
Read review

Company Car Today+

Model reviewed: 2.5-litre petrol/electric plug-in hybrid
“The Suzuki Across is not a cheap option, but the running costs certainly stack up thanks largely to the excellent powertrain that offers an EV range figure of 46 miles.”
Read review

Eurekar+

Model reviewed: 2.5-litre petrol/electric plug-in hybrid
“Despite its upright stance and brick-like aerodynamics plus four-wheel-drive, the Suzuki Across is a seriously rapid bit of kit. For example, it dispatches the 62mph benchmark sprint in six seconds, putting it on a par with the more nimble got hatches.”
Read review

Honest John+

Model reviewed: Range overview
“The Suzuki Across combines an 18.1kWh battery with a 134kW electric motor and 2.5-litre petrol engine, while it’s capable of covering up to 46 miles under electric power alone.”
Read review

Parkers+

Model reviewed:
Score: 8 / 10
“The Suzuki Across offers low BIK and 46 miles of battery power.”
Read review

The Sun+

Model reviewed:
“If you’re a company car user, you’re quids in because CO2 emissions of just 22g/km mean you’ll pay only six per cent BiK.”
Read review

Top Gear+

Model reviewed:
Score: 7 / 10
“For a cost-conscious user-chooser company car customer, the Suzuki Across ticks the boxes. Lots of kit, easy-going gait, and low running costs: check.”
Read review

Safety rating

Independent crash test and safety ratings from Euro NCAP

No safety rating

In theory, the Suzuki Across should carry a five-star safety rating from Euro NCAP as it’s simply a rebadged Toyota RAV4, which scored a five-star rating back in 2019. However, Euro NCAP’s rating does not currently apply to the Across.

This may be an administrative delay, or it may be that Suzuki has not provided evidence to Euro NCAP to show that the changes made from the original RAV4 design would make no difference to its rating. If Euro NCAP issues a safety rating for the Across, we will publish the results here.

Eco rating

Independent economy and emissions ratings from Green NCAP

No eco rating

The Suzuki Across has not yet been lab tested by Green NCAP, and neither has the Toyota Corolla upon which it’s based.

Reliability rating

Reliability data provided exclusively for The Car Expert by MotorEasy

No reliability rating

As of January 2025, we don’t have enough reliability data on the Suzuki Across to generate a reliability rating.

The Car Expert’s reliability information is provided exclusively to us using extended warranty data from our partner, MotorEasy. As soon as MotorEasy has sufficient data on the Across, we’ll publish the score here.

Running cost rating

Monthly cost of ownership data provided exclusively for The Car Expert by Clear Vehicle Data

Fuel consumption	Average	Score	Variation	Score
Plug-in hybrid models	282 mpg	A	282 – 282 mpg	A – A

CO₂ output	Average	Score	Variation	Score
Plug-in hybrid models	22 g/km	A	22 – 22 g/km	A – A

Battery range	Average	Score	Variation	Score
Plug-in hybrid models	47 miles	D	47 – 47 miles	D – D

Insurance group	Average	Score	Variation	Score
All models	39	C	39 – 50	C – F

Service and maintenance	Cost	Score
Year 1	£241	B
Year 2	£614	B
Year 3	£1,041	B
Year 4	£1,208	B
Year 5	£1,629	B
Overall	£4,733	B

The Suzuki Across is an affordable car to own and run, according to whole-life cost numbers provided exclusively to The Car Expert by our data partner, Clear Vehicle Data.

Only available as a plug-in hybrid, the across looks great on paper when its comes to fuel consumption, but this is largely thanks to ridiculous EU/UK government lab tests that are completely inadequate for plug-in hybrids.

There is no way you will ever travel for 282 miles on a single gallon (4.5 litres) of fuel and some electricity. That said, the car is still pretty fuel efficient.

While the battery range of this plug-in hybrid isn’t very impressive when compared to most rivals, the car’s service and maintenance costs are cheaper than average, and insurance premiums are unlikely to throw up any expensive surprises.

Similar cars

If you’re looking at the Suzuki Across, you might also be interested in these alternatives

Rival PHEV SUVs are not that plentiful and reviewers see many of those early-adopters of the surprisingly mass-selling Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV progressing to the Across. Obviously its Toyota donor, the RAV4, is a rival as well, while others could include the Ford Kuga PHEV.