Suzuki Across PHEV SUV updated for 2022

Following technology updates to the Toyota RAV4 PHEV on which it’s based, Suzuki has also updated its Across plug-in hybrid SUV for 2022.

The changes amount to more technology with an upgrade to the hybrid set-up’s charging capability, plus some subtle spec changes also bringing more efficiency, according to Suzuki.

Suzuki says the onboard charger has been upgraded from 3kW to 6kW. When the Across is plugged into a 32A power supply the charge time is reduced by half, meaning the 18.1kWh battery can be topped up in around two hours and 45 minutes, down from around five hours and 30 minutes.

When connected to a 16A home or public charge point, a full top-up will take around five hours, 36 minutes less than previously, according to Suzuki.

The Across’s front fog lights, rear cabin light and boot light are now all LED items, which the brand says improves efficiency and style. There’s also more extensive interior lighting, while the car’s older style USB A charging ports for phones and tablets have been switched for modern USB C connections.

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Essentially, the Across is a rebadged version of the Toyota RAV4 and forms part of the two brands’ partnership on hybrid vehicles.

Compared with the RAV4, Suzuki fits its own badging, front and rear bumpers, and different front and rear lights. Buyers also get a set of 19-inch alloy wheels and a choice of six different paint finishes.

Inside, the Across features a multi-function steering wheel, air-conditioning and a nine-inch touchscreen infotainment system, which offers support for Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. There’s also a range of storage bins and cup-holders throughout the cabin, as well as an electrical accessory socket mounted in the SUV’s 490-litre boot.

The Suzuki’s powertrain remains unchanged, retaining the plug-in hybrid system it was equipped with when launched in 2020. This comprises a 2.5-litre four-cylinder petrol engine driving a CVT automatic gearbox, an 18.1kWh lithium-ion battery pack and an electric motor mounted on each axle. Combined, the system has an output of 298bhp, which Suzuki says will deliver a 0-62mph time of six seconds.

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Claimed efficiency stands at up to 282mpg on the WLTP cycle, while only generating 22g/km of CO2 – which places it in the lowest UK road tax bracket. What’s more, the SUV’s powertrain is capable of running for around 47 miles on pure-electric power.

As with the RAV4, the Across’s powertrain sports an independent rear electric motor that can vary the torque sent to the front and rear axles respectively between 100:0 and 20:80. Suzuki says this gives the Across better stability on slippery surfaces, as well as improving the SUV’s cornering ability.

The Across’s PHEV powertrain also comes with a range of driver profiles, which allows the SUV to operate in either hybrid or full-electric mode. There’s also an extra setting which holds the battery’s charge level for use later in the journey (in a zero-emission zone, for example), as well as a battery charge mode that will top up the pack without the need to plug in.

Finally, there’s a Trail setting, which alters the car’s differential and braking settings to provide the best performance off-road. The system automatically sends power to the wheels with the most traction – and brakes the wheels that are losing traction – while adjusting the throttle and gearbox shift pattern to keep the Across moving.

Buyers benefit from a wealth of safety equipment, too, including pre-collision assist, lane-keeping assist, road sign assist and a blind-spot monitoring system. There’s also a rear cross-traffic alert system and an active cruise control system, which can automatically control the SUV’s throttle and braking in stop-start traffic.

Prices for the Across start from £46,629, with deliveries of the newly updated model expected to begin later this year.

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