The Suzuki Across arrives as the brand’s most refined SUV yet, blending everyday practicality with a quietly premium character that feels effortlessly sophisticated.
First Impressions
Having grown up with a Suzuki in the family, the Across was a car I was genuinely looking forward to testing. There’s always been something refreshingly honest about the brand, and I was curious to see how that philosophy would translate into a more premium SUV experience.
The Suzuki Across has a very different energy to most SUVs on the road right now, and that’s exactly what makes it interesting. Where many modern SUVs feel overly complicated or eager to impress, the Across takes a calmer, more sophisticated approach. After spending time with it, what stood out most wasn’t one dramatic feature or headline-grabbing number. It was how effortlessly the entire experience comes together.
Exterior Design
From the outside, the Across feels clean, modern and quietly premium. Sharp LED lighting, sculpted body lines and subtle detailing give it enough road presence without becoming overstyled. In GLX trim, details like the panoramic sunroof and larger alloy wheels elevate the look further, giving it a polished lifestyle appeal that feels perfectly suited to city living, weekend escapes and long coastal drives. It’s elegant without trying too hard, and honestly, that restraint works in its favour.
Inside the Cabin
The cabin is where the Across really settles into its personality. It feels spacious, airy, and thoughtfully designed, with soft-touch materials, a large infotainment display, and a layout that feels immediately intuitive. The seats are exceptionally comfortable, and visibility is excellent.
The range-topping GLX derivative adds ventilated seats, a Harman sound system, a panoramic roof, and a full suite of driver-assistance features, including adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitoring, and lane-keep assist. It feels less like an entry-level family SUV and more like a smart, well-considered premium purchase.
Engine, Performance & Drive Modes
Under the bonnet sits a 1.5-litre mild-hybrid petrol engine producing 75.8 kW and around 138 Nm of torque, paired to a six-speed automatic transmission in the higher trims.
Performance is smooth and relaxed rather than urgent, but it suits the character of the Across perfectly. Around town, it feels light, while on longer journeys, it settles into a comfortable, effortless rhythm. The suspension leans towards comfort too, soaking up rougher road surfaces surprisingly well and adding to the Across’ laid-back personality.
The drive modes help tailor the SUV’s character depending on the situation. Eco mode sharpens the Across’ efficiency focus, smoothing throttle response and encouraging a calmer driving style, which works brilliantly in traffic and everyday commuting. Normal mode feels the most balanced, offering an easy blend of refinement and responsiveness for daily driving. And Sport mode adds slightly sharper acceleration response and holds gears a little longer, giving the Across a more alert feel when overtaking or driving on open roads. It’s still not trying to be sporty, but the difference is noticeable enough to make the SUV feel more engaging when needed.
Overall, the driving experience is easy. Great visibility, light but precise steering, and seamless integration into daily life make the Across feel natural to drive.
Fuel Efficiency, Pricing & Ownership
Efficiency is one of the Across’ strongest cards, and arguably one of the reasons it makes so much sense right now. Suzuki claims fuel consumption figures of 4.7-5.3 L/100 km, depending on the derivative, and even in real-world conditions, it remains impressively economical for a family SUV. For buyers spending significant time commuting or travelling longer distances, that kind of efficiency quickly becomes part of the vehicle’s appeal, too. Fewer fuel stops, lower running costs and a more relaxed ownership experience all add up.
The local lineup consists of the GL manual from R349,900, the GL automatic at R372,900 and the flagship GLX automatic at R464,900. The GL automatic feels like the sweet spot in the range, while the GLX delivers the full luxury-lite experience with extra comfort and technology features.
Suzuki also includes a 5-year/200,000 km warranty and a 4-year/60,000 km service plan, which further strengthens the value proposition and adds real peace of mind for long-term ownership.
What I Loved
What impressed me most about the Across is how complete and considered it feels.
It doesn’t rely on gimmicks or unnecessary drama. Instead, it focuses on the things that genuinely improve daily life: comfort, space, efficiency and ease of use.
In a market full of loud, aggressive models, the Across’s quiet confidence is refreshing.
Considerations
Performance is the main limitation. The mild-hybrid system is efficient, but those who often drive fully loaded or overtake frequently may want more power.
While premium for Suzuki, the interior doesn’t match the material quality or flair of pricier European rivals.
The infotainment system is modern but lacks the speed and polish of leading competitors.
Final Verdict
The Suzuki Across isn’t trying to reinvent the luxury SUV formula. Instead, it offers something arguably more valuable: intelligent simplicity. It’s comfortable, impressively efficient, well-equipped and mature in a way that feels increasingly rare. For buyers who prioritise refinement, practicality and low-stress ownership over badge prestige or outright speed, the Across makes an unexpectedly compelling case for itself. And perhaps that’s the real luxury here.
