Test – 1,800 km in Suzuki Across 2023: the performance and consumption of the plug-in hybrid SUV

News for Suzuki’s first plug-in hybrid SUV! The cousin of the Toyota RAV4 is updated in terms of charging and on-board technology for 2023. Break-in completed by Suzuki, and inaugural outing over more than 1,800 km in the hands of Automobile Propre! Our full review of the new Suzuki Across.

After the S-Cross Hybrid, the turn of the Suzuki Across plug-in hybrid. The new version of the SUV resulting from the collaboration with Toyota arrives with two promises for 2023. Faster electric charging on the one hand, and more premium technologies on board. Spoiler alert : promise kept. But to go into detail, we have covered some 1,800 km across France with the PHEV. Here is our experience at the wheel, together with the consumption and autonomy figures that we have been able to find. Let’s go for a round trip from Paris to Aix-en-Provence!

The 2023 Suzuki Across looks: relationship

The first plug-in hybrid SUV from the manufacturer, the Suzuki Across is nevertheless very familiar to us, and for good reason. A real rebadged Toyota RAV4, the Across still has its front face, a bit softer. For the rest, except for the rims and logos, it’s white bonnet and white bonnet. This in no way minimizes the excellent quality assemblies and finishes of this modern and rewarding SUV. Our “Sensual Red Mica” model, between red and burgundy, offers a few quite appreciable little tricks. Among them: the shark-type roof aerial, the chrome rods, the exhaust outlets, and even the silver gray skis. Note also the black lacquered body elements, from the grille to the rear bumper, including the wheel arches and the side sills. The result is very successful, and does not have to be ashamed of the more premium competition.

It’s a detail, but the beautiful 19-inch rims also testify to the seriousness of the vehicle. Just like its cousin, the 2023 Suzuki Across PHEV is a beautiful baby. Its dimensions: 4.63 m long, 1.85 m wide, and 1.69 m high. The plug-in hybrid SUV has the fuel door on the left side, and the electric charging door on the right side. Supposed to cap the manufacturer’s range, the Across fulfills its role with a certain allure. Only possible disappointment according to your assessment: the absence of two-tone colors in the catalog. After all, you have to distinguish yourself from the RAV4. Also in this logic, no option of sunroof or panoramic roof is proposed. Moreover, the equipment on board as well as the on-board technologies remain substantially identical. As you will have understood, we did not find much to complain about on the aesthetic level of the SUV.

On board the Suzuki Across: screens and multimedia in the spotlight!

The 2023 Suzuki Across welcomes us in a cabin that is also very familiar, from the RAV4. Only the Suzuki logo replaces the Toyota one on the steering wheel. But it’s not to displease us, since we appreciate this very modern driving position. Especially since it takes the opportunity to accommodate the new 10.5-inch (multimedia) and 12.3-inch (instrumentation handset) screens. A welcome development that greatly contributes to the high-tech and very contemporary atmosphere of the vehicle. The central screen, fluid and very complete, makes a real leap forward compared to the 9 inches of its predecessor. This is perfect for taking advantage of the new, very responsive wireless Apple CarPlay integration. Waze, Maps, Music, Calls, Messages… No slowdown to report over more than 1,800 km. A very good point for the SUV, especially on long journeys. Special mention to the wheels, they are also very pleasant.

Only a few buttons are fishy by their very “hollow plastic” feel, such as the rocker switches for the heated seats. Moreover, the perceived quality is there, both on the steering wheel and on the center console. On the display side, we would still have liked more simultaneous information on the handset. This sometimes forces us to browse the different displays (customizable) to consult a particular data. Beyond this detail, the quality of the instrumentation is all great. On board, the habitability is not to be outdone. The Suzuki Across has been perfectly comfortable throughout our journey, both in the driver’s position and in the front passenger position. In the back, same observation, our two passengers are satisfied, and appreciate the feeling of freedom on board. Especially since they are also entitled to heated seats on the way!

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Thermal and electrical performance: fully transparent

On the way back, no passenger, but a large cargo volume ranging from 490 to 1,604 liters. Indispensable for your servant, who has brought back no less than 6 guitars in their respective cases, 4 amplifiers, and other bags and small suitcases. And there was still room upstairs! And to transport all these beautiful people? The Suzuki Across 2023 is based on a 4-cylinder 2.5 engine of 185 hp supported by a pair of electric blocks, 134 kW at the front and 40 kW at the rear. Enough to offer a combined power of 306 hp. The plug-in hybrid system with E-Four all-wheel drive is astonishingly transparent. In electric, we can climb to 135 km / h before waking up the heat engine. In hybrid automatic, the system alternates intelligently without the slightest perceptible change at the wheel. Or almost. Because to the ear, only the unsightly rumble of the thermal block betrays the rocker.

An almost caricatural growl that evokes the semblance of auditory sportiness of the KIA Sportage in “Sport”. Unsurprisingly, the soundtrack isn’t helped by the e-CVT continuously variable transmission. False flat, insertion, and overtaking quickly created some frustration at the wheel. The 6 gears in S and the 5 in D are quite dispensable. Except in Trail mode on rocky terrain, and again. Because in usual conditions, “reports” of box and paddles at the wheel have so to speak no interest. On a daily basis and in the city, all-electric operation is a delight of silence and flexibility. Beyond the maneuvers and the parking lots, the evolution at low speed is really relaxing. In peri-urban areas and on expressways, only the noise of the air comes to tarnish the silence of the electric. Moreover, the Suzuki Across PHEV is very healthy, precise, and pleasant on the road.

Consumption and range: 75 km all-electric!

Despite its size and its 1,940 kg, the Suzuki Across PHEV is therefore very easy. In town, it moves with the little finger and maneuvers without difficulty. From the moment you have something to park it, no need to worry about its format. Under its muscles, the SUV has a 55 l tank and an 18.1 kWh battery. Second big novelty of our rechargeable hybrid for 2023: its charger goes from 3.3 to 6.6 kW. That is enough to recharge the battery in 3 hours on a fast terminal (compared to 5 hours previously). A duration confirmed on our terminal in Aix-en-Provence (22 kW). In all-electric mode, we were able to travel up to 75 km in the city, in rather economical driving. Very light foot. The promised 98 km will require a lot of patience. In order to simplify reading, here are our different consumptions (electrical and thermal) at different speeds. The first table shows the consumption in 100% thermal driving, with the electric battery discharged:

Summary of our outward journey, with a short break on the road and a change of driver. The entire route having been completed with adaptive cruise control, no significant impact on driving style, battery at 100% at the start:

Summary of a secondary journey, essentially at 110 km/h, with slowdowns (therefore a few successive stops/starts) and EV phases at low speed, battery discharged at the start:

Two cycles were carried out in all-electric mode. The first on exclusively urban routes, allows us to reach 75 km in town (very economical driving). We started the second cycle on leaving town, followed by a few kilometers at 90 km/h before stabilizing at 110 km/h on the Francilienne:

Finally, the Recharge mode makes it possible to force the operation of the internal combustion engine in order to recharge the electric battery and to preserve the energy stored there. Unsurprisingly, this increases fuel consumption, which immediately reaches 14 l/100 km, but allows you to recover precious 100% electric kilometers fairly quickly before entering the ZFE for example. Note that recovery seems much more effective at moderate speed (city and 70 km/h) than on fast track (90 to 110 km/h). Electric range recovered at different speeds over the same duration in Recharge mode:

It remains to do the calculation by comparing the overconsumption of gasoline in Recharge mode compared to the EV gain, according to the prices of fuel and electricity for such recovered autonomy, related to the distance traveled in thermal then… No, we don’t we haven’t been that far. In the end, we were able to cover a total of nearly 800 km on a full tank of gas + battery. And this while remaining at 110 km/h on very long stretches of motorway. A truly road use up to 130 km / h therefore allows us rather to count on 700 to 800 km of autonomy. By favoring city and peri-urban areas, the cumulative autonomy makes it possible to reach 850 km thanks to very efficient electric power up to 45 km/h. On regular suburban journeys, the combined consumption of 5.6 l/100 km is in any case quite respectable in our opinion. All for a Suzuki Across PHEV sold for €57,990 (excluding bonuses). And you what do you think ?

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