The New 2026 Suzuki Across
The 2026 Suzuki Across is an important model for Suzuki in South Africa because it finally gives the brand a more premium, family-focused SUV sitting above the Fronx and Grand Vitara. It is not the Toyota-based Across sold overseas, but rather a larger, more upmarket crossover developed for markets like South Africa and India.
From a styling perspective, the Across looks more substantial than most Suzukis. It has a bold front end, slim LED headlamps, chunky wheel-arch cladding and a cleaner, more mature profile than the smaller Fronx. At 4.36 metres long with 210 mm of ground clearance, it feels properly SUV-like without becoming too large for city driving.
Inside, the cabin is one of the strongest parts of the package. Even the GL models come with a large touchscreen, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a digital instrument cluster, climate control and useful family-friendly touches. The GLX adds a panoramic sunroof, ventilated seats, a premium sound system and more advanced driver assistance systems. Space in the rear is generous and the boot is practical enough for family trips or everyday use.
On the road, the Across is more about comfort and efficiency than outright performance. Its 1.5-litre mild-hybrid petrol engine produces 76 kW and 139 Nm, which is enough for daily commuting and relaxed highway driving, but it is not especially quick. The new six-speed automatic is a major improvement over Suzuki’s older four-speed auto, although some reviewers found it slightly hesitant when overtaking or climbing steep hills.
Where the Across really shines is fuel economy. Suzuki claims around 5.3 L/100 km, and local reviewers managed figures very close to that in real-world testing. With its 45-litre tank, the Across can realistically travel close to 900 km between fill-ups, which is a major selling point given current fuel prices in South Africa.
The Across is priced from R349,900 for the manual GL, R372,900 for the GL automatic and R464,900 for the range-topping GLX automatic. That makes it competitive against rivals such as the Volkswagen T-Cross, Kia Sonet, Kia Seltos, Omoda C5 and Chery Tiggo Cross. Suzuki also includes a five-year/200,000 km warranty and a four-year/60,000 km service plan, which adds to the value equation.
Suzuki tends to deliver strong reliability, affordable running costs and honest fuel consumption figures. That really sums up the Across well: it is not a sporty SUV, but it is a practical, efficient and well-equipped family vehicle.
Overall, the Across feels like one of Suzuki’s most complete SUVs yet. The mid-spec GL automatic is likely to be the sweet spot in the range, offering the best balance of price, features and fuel economy. For South African buyers who want a comfortable family SUV without paying premium-brand prices, the Across is a very sensible choice.
