Suzuki Across Review: South Africa’s New R349,900 Mild-Hybrid SUV

South Africa · compact SUV review

More SUV for the money—if you choose the right trim

The Across combines a spacious cabin, mild-hybrid efficiency and generous standard equipment. The GL automatic is the value star; the GLX is safer and richer, but much more expensive.

Current SA range: R349,900 to R464,900

Official Suzuki Auto South Africa image. GLX and two-tone paint may be shown.

Reviewed: September 2026. Prices and specifications were checked against current South African sources and can change without notice.

Range and pricing: three versions, one obvious value pick

Suzuki Auto South Africa lists three Across derivatives. The 1.5 GL 5MT starts at R349,900, the 1.5 GL 6AT costs R372,900, and the 1.5 GLX 6AT is R464,900. A two-tone GLX adds R4,500. The R23,000 step from manual to automatic is reasonable for urban use; the R92,000 leap from GL automatic to GLX requires a closer look at what the buyer actually needs.

Mechanically, all three use the same 1.5-litre K15C petrol engine, 12-volt mild-hybrid assistance and front-wheel drive. The GLX does not add more power or a stronger hybrid system. Its premium buys comfort items—such as a panoramic sunroof, ventilated front seats, a head-up display and powered driver’s seat—and the full driver-assistance package.

Engine and mild hybrid: economical assistance, not electric driving

The naturally aspirated 1,462 cc four-cylinder petrol engine produces 75.8 kW at 6,000 rpm and 136.8 Nm at 4,400 rpm. Buyers choose a five-speed manual or conventional six-speed automatic; every version drives the front wheels. There is no turbocharger, all-wheel drive or extra output for the GLX.

Suzuki’s 12-volt integrated starter generator assists the petrol engine during acceleration, enables smooth automatic stop-start operation and recovers energy while slowing. It is a mild-hybrid system, so it cannot propel the Across on electricity alone. The motor’s role is to reduce load on the engine, not transform the SUV into a full hybrid.

Official combined consumption is 5.3 L/100 km. That figure implies a theoretical range of roughly 849 km from the 45-litre tank, but the real distance between fills will be shorter because drivers should not run the tank completely dry and conditions vary. CAR magazine reported 5.0 L/100 km on a 130 km launch route, a promising result rather than a guarantee for every owner.

On the road: comfortable, light on fuel, modest at speed

The Across shares its Global C platform fundamentals with the Grand Vitara, but its body is longer and taller. Independent front suspension and a torsion-beam rear arrangement prioritise predictable everyday behaviour. CAR magazine’s South African launch drive found well-weighted steering, a composed ride and good initial response, while also noting sensitive brake feel and occasional hesitation from the automatic transmission.

With 75.8 kW moving between 1,175 and 1,250 kg depending on derivative, the Across should be adequate around town rather than genuinely quick. The naturally aspirated engine needs revs for faster acceleration, and loaded highway trips will expose the limited torque. Calm drivers are rewarded with smooth progress and strong economy; impatient inputs simply make the drivetrain work harder.

The 210 mm ground clearance is useful on gravel roads, damaged verges and steep driveways, but the Across remains front-wheel drive. Clearance does not add four-wheel traction, low-range gearing or off-road tyres. Treat it as a road-biased crossover with extra underbody breathing room.

Cabin and practicality: the GL already has the essentials

Every Across includes a 10.1-inch central touchscreen with smartphone connectivity, a 10.25-inch digital instrument display, wireless phone charging, automatic climate control, rear air vents, keyless entry and push-button start. Suzuki’s local specification also lists USB-C connections front and rear, making the base GL unusually complete for the price.

The GLX adds synthetic-leather upholstery, an eight-way powered driver’s seat, ventilated front seats, a leather steering wheel, a head-up display and panoramic sunroof. These are pleasant upgrades, but the basic seating space and dashboard architecture are shared with GL. Buyers who do not need the extra luxury will not feel as though they purchased a stripped car.

At 4,360 mm long, 1,795 mm wide and 1,655 mm tall, the Across occupies useful family-SUV territory without becoming awkward in town. The 5.4-metre turning radius should help in parking areas. Luggage capacity is 347 litres in GL and 333 litres in GLX, the latter giving away 14 litres because of its added equipment. Neither figure leads the class, so bring the family’s largest pram or travel case to the test drive.

Safety: six airbags for all, advanced assistance only for GLX

All derivatives have six airbags, ABS with electronic brake-force distribution, electronic stability control, hill-hold assistance, ISOFIX anchors, an alarm, electric parking brake, rear parking sensors and a reversing camera. That is a sound passive and basic active-safety baseline, especially for the R349,900 GL.

The GLX adds Suzuki’s Dual Sensor Brake Support II package: autonomous emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, lane-departure warning and prevention, lane-keeping assistance, high-beam assistance, weaving alert and a surround-view camera. It also gains front parking sensors.

Key dimensions and specification

Ownership: warranty strength, simple mechanicals

Suzuki currently advertises a five-year/200,000 km promotional warranty and a four-year/60,000 km service plan with the Across. Confirm the start date, kilometre limits, service intervals and any campaign conditions in the final purchase agreement. Promotional terms can change even when the vehicle’s list price does not.

The naturally aspirated engine and conventional torque-converter automatic avoid the complexity of a turbocharger, dual-clutch transmission or high-voltage traction battery. The mild-hybrid hardware still needs correct diagnosis and the usual wear items remain: tyres, brakes, suspension, the 12-volt battery system and air-conditioning all carry ownership costs.

At the official 5.3 L/100 km claim, annual fuel use would be about 795 litres over 15,000 km. Multiply that by the pump price you actually pay, then add insurance, licence, scheduled services after the plan ends, tyres and finance interest. A low monthly instalment can hide a balloon payment, so compare total repayment rather than the advertisement alone.

Suzuki Across versus key South African rivals

The GL automatic competes on space and equipment below R400,000, while the GLX moves into a very different price bracket. These current list-price comparisons show why the best Across depends heavily on trim.

Prices checked in September 2026 on official South African manufacturer pages. Specifications, campaigns and dealer charges can change. Compare equivalent safety equipment and warranty terms, not price alone.

The Across GL automatic is competitive because it sits below the T-Cross and includes equipment many buyers value every day. The Across GLX is harder to defend on pure specifications: the Chery hybrid costs R25,000 less, produces substantially more combined power and can move under electric power in some conditions. Suzuki counters with its reputation for simple, economical ownership and a long promotional warranty.

Should you buy the Suzuki Across?

Choose the GL manual if the lowest purchase price matters most and you are comfortable working a modest naturally aspirated engine through its gears. At R349,900, it delivers nearly all of the Across’s everyday cabin and convenience strengths.

Choose the GL automatic if the vehicle will spend time in traffic or be shared by several drivers. It preserves the value argument, costs R23,000 more than the manual and is the version we would recommend for most private buyers.

Choose the GLX only if the advanced driver-assistance package, ventilated seats, panoramic roof, head-up display and surround-view camera are worth R92,000 to you. At R464,900, it must be compared with full hybrids and stronger turbocharged SUVs.

The bottom line: the Across is spacious, well equipped and potentially very economical, but its best qualities are clearest in GL form. It is not fast, not all-wheel drive and not a full hybrid. As a calm family crossover with sensible ownership cover, the GL automatic is a compelling new option.