Suzuki Across PHEV
The Suzuki Across Hybrid is all new, but manages to look reassuringly familiar. This is thanks to sharing an awful lot with the latest version of the Toyota Rav4. Suzuki and Toyota will be engaging in more collaborations in the future and from what we’ve seen when other manufacturers platform share, the end results are usually surprisingly good. Here at Westwood, we’ve just got hold of Suzuki’s New Plug In Hybrid version of the Across and while you might expect it to be quite good in any case, given Suzuki’s habit of making very capable small and medium 4×4’s, we think you’ll be pleasantly surprised that it’s even better than you’d think. For business users and for company car hire, the new Across makes plenty of sense and ticks most, if not all the boxes for what you’d want in a mid sized SUV.
A Better Business Use Proposition?
If you have a company car budget that doesn’t quite stretch to something premium from Germany, or you just want something that gives better value for money without looking or behaving like it was a budget option and still managing to be very well equipped; the Suzuki Across PHEV is worth more than just a fleeting glance!
First of all, being a PHEV, you’ll get better fuel economy from the engine, this is because electric motors provide a portion of power and recover energy from coasting and braking so it can be used again. Plug in hybrids tend to have bigger batteries than mild hybrids as well as being able (as the name suggests) to be charged up using a cable when parked.
This gives you the best of all worlds. No range anxiety, better mpg, the ability to use all those super convenient (usually empty and sometimes free) electric car charging spaces when you’re out and about.
Quite often, hybrids have a smaller engine due to the motors taking some of the strain, or weaker acceleration to maximise efficiency, or very few miles of all electric range, or all of the above. The Suzuki Across, however, ignores these norms entirely. There’s a 2.5 litre petrol engine, nearly 50 miles of all electric range and it can achieve 0-60 in just 6 seconds. The official WLTP figures show that it can achieve 282mpg. All this means, crucially, is that the official Co2 emissions are just 22g/km which attract an ultra low level of BIK Company Car Tax.
What’s the equipment like?
The vital statistics look good then, but does that mean there aren’t many of the modern toys inside? Thankfully not!
When it comes to safety equipment, driver aids, creature comforts, space and the tech we’ve come to expect from modern cars, the Across has plenty to shout about. As far as the interior is concerned, put your hand over the logo on the steering wheel and you’d swear you’re sitting in a RAV4. This is no bad thing!
Some of the more eye-catching features include;
- All round parking sensors and reverse camera
- Power adjustable drivers seat
- 19″ Alloy Wheels
- Electric Tailgate With Gesture Function
- Adaptive Cruise Control with Lane Keeping Assist
- Heated front & Back Seats And Steering Wheel
- ‘E-Four’ electronic 4×4 system
Suzuki Across – What’s The Catch?
So, with all this performance, equipment, style and efficiency, why IS the Suzuki Across PHEV so cheap? Essentially, that’s because it isn’t cheap at all.
What? But you just said……. Let us explain! Like many battery enabled vehicles, the retail purchase price is a bit on the high side. To buy the Suzuki Across outright costs quite a bit more than a similar car without electric motors. They ARE expected to hold their value well though, so, because our rental prices are based on expected depreciation, coupled with the inherent tax advantages and inherent efficiencies that electric enabled vehicles enjoy, this means that the price you’ll pay to drive it and live with it as a hired company car can be exceptionally low.
Like we said, perfect for business users and exactly why we always say – “Rent: It Makes More Sense!”
