New Suzuki Across heads for SA as global exports get underway
Suzuki has begun exporting its new flagship Across SUV to 100 markets, including South Africa. Here's what we know.
Announced for South Africa at the end of last year, Suzuki’s Maruti division has started shipping export versions of the Victoris to no fewer than 100 markets, including South Africa.
The Citizen reports that the brand, in a short statement over the weekend, confirmed that around 450 vehicles departed from the Mundra and Pipavav ports on Friday for, among others, Latin America, the Middle East and Africa.
Across name confirmed for export markets
As in South Africa, export market versions will be badged Across, thereby using the same name as the rebadged version of the now previous-generation Toyota RAV4 sold in Europe since 2020.
“Maruti Suzuki’s export journey is guided by the vision of Made in India, Make for the World,” the division’s managing director and CEO, Hisashi Takeuchi, said.
“We emerged as India’s number one passenger vehicle exporter for the fifth year in a row. If we look at growth of India’s passenger vehicle exports in the past five years from 2020 to 2025, while the rest of industry grew by 1.43 times, Maruti Suzuki exports grew by 4.67 times.
“The addition of Victoris will further support our export ambitions and we are hopeful it will be well received in international markets.”
Positioned as Suzuki South Africa’s new flagship
Set to become Suzuki Auto South Africa’s new flagship, the Across will be positioned above the Grand Vitara, whose line-up underwent a quiet restructuring in November with the removal of the hybrid variant, as well as the conventional petrol-engined GLX equipped with the manual gearbox.
Engine and drivetrain options
In India, the Victoris offers a choice of two engines, the normally aspirated 1.5 K15C outputting 76kW and 139Nm, and the Toyota-sourced 1.5-litre self-charging hybrid rated at 68kW and 141Nm.
Transmissions for the former are a five-speed manual or a six-speed automatic, with Suzuki’s AllGrip all-wheel drive available in combination with the automatic only.
For the hybrid, drive goes to the front wheels exclusively through a CVT.
Pricing expectations for South Africa
Priced from Rs 1 049 900 to Rs 1 998 900 in India, which equates to between R194 525 and R370 355 when directly converted and excluding taxes, local specification and pricing for the Across have not yet been finalised.
However, with the range-topping Grand Vitara 1.5 GLX auto priced at R453 900, the Across is expected to retail from around R470 000 to R480 000, potentially making it the only Suzuki priced above R500 000 in higher trim levels.
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