Suzuki Across 1

The Suzuki Across is essentially a Toyota RAV4 Plug-in (RAV4 Prime in the US) wearing a Suzuki badge. The two brands have shared technology for years, and with the Across, Suzuki contributed nothing beyond the logo: same platform, same powertrain, same Toyota reliability. Buy an Across and you get the lowest-maintenance, longest-lasting hardware ever sold under a Suzuki script — paid for with rarity and high used prices.

The powertrain: At the heart sits the A25A-FXS, a 2.5-litre Atkinson four from Toyota's Dynamic-Force family, paired with two electric motors and a large lithium drive battery. System output is 136 kW, with all-wheel drive via a separate rear e-axle. In daily use the Across runs around 70–75 km on electricity alone — that's the real strength and makes it a genuinely frugal commuter SUV. The D-4S dual injection keeps the intake valves clean but needs more service attention. The engine itself is beyond reproach.

Check recalls first: Recalls top the Across checklist. The most important concerns the DC-DC converter — fire risk in the worst case, hence sev5. Second is the brake booster pump recall, familiar from the RAV4 PHEV. Add a software recall for the instrument cluster and one for the eCall system. Verify all of them by VIN at a dealer — completed recalls cost nothing, an open one is bargaining leverage.

What ages otherwise: The water-cooled EGR cooler is the mechanical weak spot (sev4): if it corrodes, coolant enters the exhaust system. The high-voltage battery degrades slowly and normally; the 12V battery, however, likes to drain during long standstills (€180–400) — typical of PHEVs with many control units. Brake feel is slightly vague due to regen, and the infotainment with weak DAB and finicky USB recognition is no highlight. The front axle occasionally clunks over bumps (€80–350).

Test drive: Check the EV range on the display — if it drops well below ~60 km, the HV battery has aged. Wait through a cold start and watch for unwanted engine starts in EV mode. Inspect coolant level and colour (EGR cooler). Ask about the 12V battery and charging history. And absolutely verify recall status.

Market in 2026: Well-kept 2020–2025 Across examples sit around €30,000–42,000 depending on mileage and trim — noticeably pricier than a comparable combustion SUV, but cheaper than an identical RAV4 PHEV because the Suzuki badge draws less demand. Insider pick: a car with documented completed recalls and remaining HV-battery warranty. That gives you the most reliable car in the entire Suzuki range — just with someone else's pedigree.