The new Suzuki Across fits flawlessly into the coastal lifestyle, equally suited to school trips and longer drives on winding inland farm roads.

We recently had the chance to test drive the exciting addition to the Suzuki range, a mild-hybrid SUV which boasts a claimed fuel economy of 5.3l/100km. That equates to a range of around 850km from a full 45l tank.

Three models are available – the 1.5GL in manual and automatic and the flagship 1.5GLX, which is only available in automatic.

After picking up the 1.5GL automatic from Suzuki Salt Rock, we quickly plotted a route with the user-friendly Android Auto-connected touchscreen infotainment system (Apple CarPlay is also supported). Taking off towards Tinley Manor for a customary trip to the beach, the car cruised comfortably along the N2, while 210mm of ground clearance and solid suspension made the various bumps easy to traverse.

An inland loop on the Esenembe Road also offered an enjoyable drive and the sugarcane sped past with relative ease. We found the automatic gear changes to be generally seamless, though manual gearshift paddles are available if you want instant feedback.

From a technical perspective, all three models offer similar performance of 76 kW of power and 137 Nm of torque. Reverse cameras, wireless charging, keyless push start and straightforward smartphone connectivity are also all standard across the range.

The GL models have 347l of boot space, while the GLX has slightly less at 333l. Meanwhile, the GL’s have fabric interiors, while the GLX has synthetic leather and a sunroof. The major difference with the GLX comes in extended safety measures like braking and lane change assists and adaptive cruise control, none of which can be found in the GL’s.

Those differences are reflected in the overall pricing:
• 1.5GL manual – R349 900.
• 1.5GL automatic – R372 900.
• 1.5GLX automatic – R464 900.

Overall, the range offers competitive value for money, a comfortable drive and interior experience and a 5-year/200 000km warranty. Find out more at suzukisaltrock.co.za.