A proper head-to-head in South Africa — we cover price, performance,
petrol economy, safety and what it'll actually cost you to own each one long term.
AllGrip Auto — Intelligent AWD with Snow/Sport/Lock modes
Hill Descent Control
Yes
Available
Approach Angle
19
19
Departure Angle
19
21
Wading Depth
500
0
Underbody Protection
Yes
Skid Plate Under Engine
Recovery Hooks
Yes (front + rear)
Front and Rear Tow Hooks
Ramp-over Angle
17
Available
Terrain Modes
Available
Auto / Sport / Snow / Lock
Locking Differential
Available
Not Available
Ramp Breakover Angle
Available
18
Spec
Across
Grand Vitara
Airbags
8
6
ABS
Yes
Standard
EBD
Yes
Available
BA
Yes
Available
TCS
Yes
Available
Electronic Stability Control
Yes
Standard
Hill Hold
Yes
Available
Hill Start Assist
Yes
Standard
AEB
Yes (Toyota Safety Sense)
Available
Pedestrian Detection AEB
Yes
Not Available
Alarm System
Yes
Standard
Engine Immobiliser
Yes
Available
Child Safety Lock
Yes
Standard
Speed Alert System
Yes
Standard — Audible Warning at 120 km/h
ISOFIX Mounts
Yes
2 Rear ISOFIX Points
Safety Rating
5-star Euro NCAP
Not Independently Rated
Side Airbags
Yes
Available
Curtain Airbags
Yes
Available
Driver Airbag
Yes
Available
Passenger Airbag
Yes
Available
Seatbelt Pretensioners
Yes
Available
Seatbelt Warning All Seats
Yes
All Seats
Whiplash Protection
Yes (WIL Concept)
Active Head Restraints on Front Seats
Fatigue Detection
Yes
Available
Rear Cross Traffic Alert
Yes
Available
Lane Change Warning
Yes
Not Available
Brake Override System
Yes
Available
Traction Control
Yes
Standard
Front Parking Sensors
Yes
Not Available
Central Locking
Remote
Remote Central Locking
Knee Airbag
Yes (driver)
Available
Blind Spot Monitoring
Yes
Available
Hill Descent Control
Available
Not Available
Brake Assist
Available
Standard
Tyre Pressure Monitor
Available
Standard
Engine Immobiliser
Available
Standard
Side Impact Beams
Available
Standard
Spec
Across
Grand Vitara
Speed Limiter
Yes
Standard
Rain Sensing Wipers
Yes
Standard
Follow Me Home Headlamps
Yes
Not Available
AC Type
Dual-zone Automatic
Available
Climate Zones
2
Available
Front Armrest
Yes (with storage)
Available
Vanity Mirror
Yes (illuminated)
Available
Rear Reading Lamps
Yes
Available
Keyless Entry
Yes (Smart Entry)
Not Available
Push Button Start
Yes
Available
Engine Start Stop Button
Yes
Available
Panoramic Roof
Yes
Available
Wireless Charging
Yes
Standard 15W Wireless Charger
Rear Window Defroster
Yes
Standard
Auto Dimming Mirror
Yes
Not Available
Headlamp Washer
Yes
Available
Headlamp Height Adjust
Auto
Available
Fuel Lid Opener
Inside (button)
Available
Boot Opener
Power Tailgate (Hands-free)
Available
Front Power Outlet
Yes (12V + 1500W AC)
150
12V Accessory Socket
12V + 1500W AC outlet
1 x 12V Socket
Tilt Steering
Yes
Available
Telescopic Steering
Yes
Available
Tachometer
Yes (Hybrid System Indicator)
Available
Trip Computer
Yes
Available
Service Reminder
Yes
Available
Door Ajar Warning
Yes
Available
Engine Check Warning
Yes
Available
Power Windows
All (one-touch front)
All Four Windows
Power Mirrors
Heated + Folding
150
Electric Mirror Folding
Auto
Electrically Adjustable Auto-Fold Mirrors
Heads Up Display
Yes (10-inch colour HUD)
Available
Driver Seat Height Adjustment
Yes
Standard — Driver Height Adjustable
Climate Control
Yes
Automatic Climate Control
Push Button Start
Available
Not Available
Sunroof
Available
Panoramic Glass Roof
Electric Tailgate
Yes
Not Available
Automatic Headlamps
Yes
Standard
Adaptive Dampers
Available
Available
Aero Kit
Available
Available
Auto Dimming Irvm
Available
Available
Chrome Exterior Highlights
Available
Available
Chrome Grille
Available
Available
Drag Coefficient
Available
Available
Driver Display
Available
Available
Electric Folding Mirrors
Available
Available
Engine Start Button Illumination
Available
Available
Engine Start Stop
Available
Available
Engine Warranty
Available
Available
Exhaust Finish
Available
Available
Exhaust Type
Available
Available
Fuel Consumption Combined
Available
Available
Gear Shift Type
Available
Available
Glovebox Cooling
Available
Available
Ground Clearance Unladen
Available
Available
Headrest Adjustable
Available
Available
Hill Start Assist
Available
Available
Impact Sensing Door Unlock
Available
Available
Intercooler
Available
Available
Launch Control
Available
Available
Multi Function Steering
Available
Available
Payload Capacity
Available
Available
Performance Data Logger
Available
Available
Rear Defogger
Available
Available
Rear Seat Split
Available
Available
Rear Wing
Available
Available
Remote Engine Start
Available
Available
Rev Matching
Available
Available
Ride Mode Selection
Available
Available
Roof Antenna
Available
Available
Seat Type
Available
Available
Seatbelt Pre Tensioner
Available
Available
Seatbelt Reminder
Available
Available
Service Plan
Available
Available
Side Steps
Available
Available
Skid Plates
Available
Available
Spare Wheel
Available
Available
Speed Alert System
Available
Available
Stability Control
Available
Available
Stabilizer Bar
Available
Available
Steering Mounted Controls
Available
Available
Steering Response
Available
Available
Tail Lamps
Available
Available
Tyre Repair Kit
Available
Available
Valves Per Cylinder
Available
Available
Voice Command
Available
Available
Voice Command Support
Available
Available
Spec
Across
Grand Vitara
Rear AC Vents
Yes
Not Available
Front Armrest
Yes
Standard Centre Armrest
Rear Armrest
Yes (with cupholders)
Integrated in Seat Back
Cup Holders
6
4
Door Map Pockets
Yes
All Four Door Pockets
Ambient Lighting
Yes
Not Available
Steering Wheel Material
Leather
Urethane
Instrument Cluster Type
12.3-inch Digital
Analogue with Digital Trip Display
Leather Seats
Yes
Available
Fabric Seats
No
Available
Heated Seats
Front + Rear
Not Available
Ventilated Seats
Front
Not Available
Cooled Seats
No
Available
Memory Seats
Driver
Available
Rear Headrest
3 (adjustable)
Available
Front Headrest
Yes (adjustable)
Available
Adjustable Driver Seat
8-way Power
Available
Adjustable Front Seat
Driver 8-way / Passenger 8-way Power
Available
Driver Seat Adjustment
8-way Power with Memory
Available
Passenger Seat Adjustment
8-way Power
Available
Driver Lumbar Support
Power (driver)
Not Available
60 40 Split Seat
Yes
Available
Interior Colour Options
Black
2
Rear USB Ports
Yes
0
Seat Material
Available
Leatherette Seat Trim
Seat Adjustment
Available
Manual 6-Way Driver Adjustment
Steering Type
Available
Electric Power Assisted Steering (EPAS)
Steering Adjustment
Available
Tilt and Telescopic
Folding Rear Seats
Available
60:40 Split Fold
Spec
Across
Grand Vitara
Rear Wiper
Yes
Standard
Wing Mirror Type
Power + Heated + Auto-folding
Electrically Adjustable Body-Coloured Mirrors
Body Type
SUV
Available
Body Cladding
Yes (lower)
Black Plastic Side Body Cladding
Exterior Colour Options
Pure White, Silver Metallic, Attitude Black, Emotional Red, Cyan Metallic, Dark Blue Mica
6
Led Headlights
LED Bi-Beam Projector
Available
LED Headlamps
Yes (Bi-Beam Projector)
LED Projector Headlamps
Led Taillights
Yes
Available
Fog Lights
Yes (LED)
Available
Front Fog Lights
Yes (LED)
Available
Rear Fog Lights
Yes
Available
DRL
LED Daytime Running Lights
Available
Rear Spoiler
Yes (rear roof)
Not Available
Door Handle Finish
Body-Coloured
Body-Coloured Door Handles
Chrome Exterior Finish
Lower trim
Not Available
Roof Rails
Yes
Standard Roof Rails
Roof Type
Panoramic Glass
Standard Fixed Roof
Alloy Wheel Design
19-inch Machined Alloy
17-inch Polished Two-Tone Alloy Wheels
Daytime Running Lamps
Yes
LED DRLs
Fog Lamps
Yes
Front Fog Lamps
Spec
Across
Grand Vitara
Steering Column
Tilt + Telescopic
Tilt and Telescopic Adjustable
Front Spring Type
Coil
Coil Spring
Rear Spring Type
Coil
Coil Spring
Front Anti-Roll Bar
Yes
Standard
Rear Anti-Roll Bar
Yes
Standard
Shock Absorber Type
Hydraulic
Telescopic Gas Dampers
Front Suspension
MacPherson Strut
MacPherson Strut with Coil Spring
Rear Suspension
Double Wishbone (Multi-link)
Multi-Link Independent with Coil Spring
Power Steering
Electric
Electric Power Assisted (EPAS)
Chassis Type
Available
Monocoque
Spec
Across
Grand Vitara
Steering Wheel Audio Controls
Yes
Standard
Infotainment Screen
9-inch Touchscreen
9-inch Touchscreen
Infotainment Display
9-inch Touchscreen
Available
Infotainment Screen Size
9 inch
9
Android Auto
Yes (Wireless)
Wired Android Auto
Apple CarPlay
Yes (Wireless)
Wireless Apple CarPlay
Wireless Apple CarPlay
Yes
Wireless Apple CarPlay
Bluetooth Connectivity
Yes
Standard
Number of Speakers
9
6
Audio Controls On Steering
Yes
Available
Voice Recognition
Yes
Via Smartphone
Wi-Fi Hotspot
Yes
Not Available
Rear Usb
Yes (2x USB-C)
Available
FM Radio
Yes
Standard
AUX Input
Yes
Not Available
Navigation System
Yes (with cloud updates)
Via Smartphone Mirroring
Premium Audio
JBL Premium 9-speaker
Available
Digital Instrument Cluster
Available
9-inch Digital Cluster
USB Ports
Available
2
Spec
Across
Grand Vitara
Parking Brake Type
Electric
Conventional Handbrake
Wheel Rim Size
19
17 Inches
Tyre Load Index
95
96
Tyre Speed Rating
V
H
Tyre Type
Tubeless Radial
Available
Spare Tyre
Tyre Repair Kit
Available
Front Brake Disc Diameter
328
296
Rear Brake Drum Diameter
281
259
Brake Type Front
Disc (Ventilated)
Available
Brake Type Rear
Disc (Ventilated)
Available
Wheel Diameter
19
Available
Front Tyre Width
235
Available
Rear Tyre Width
235
Available
Tyre Size
Available
215/60 R17
Wheel Type
Available
17-inch Polished Alloy
Front Brake Type
Available
Ventilated Disc
Rear Brake Type
Available
Ventilated Disc
Spare Wheel Type
Available
Space Saver Spare
Spec
Across
Grand Vitara
Warranty Years
5
5
Warranty Kilometers
200000
200000
Anti-Corrosion Warranty
5 Years
3 Years Anti-Corrosion
Basic Warranty
5 Years / 200000 km
Available
Roadside Assistance
Available
5 Years Roadside Assistance
Spec
Across
Grand Vitara
Real-world City Mileage Min
20
6.0
Real-world City Mileage Max
30
8.5
Real-world Highway Mileage Min
18
4.8
Real-world Highway Mileage Max
23
6.5
Owner Review Count
0
0
So, Which One Should You Buy?
🏆Suzuki Across
wins with 71 pts
vs 56 pts for Grand Vitara
In structured scoring, Across emerges as the stronger overall package. However, Grand Vitara may appeal to buyers prioritising different factors. Ultimately, the right choice depends on your driving priorities in South Africa.
Other Comparisons Worth Checking
See how similar cars go head-to-head — you might find a better fit than you expected.
On our scoring the Across edges ahead overall. That said, the right choice depends on what you actually use the car for — the breakdown above shows exactly where each one wins and loses.
Efficiency scores: Across 0 vs Grand Vitara 0. In the real world, diesel variants of either car will beat the claimed figure on long highways and fall short in Joburg traffic.
Safety scores: Across 20, Grand Vitara 18. Check each model page for NCAP ratings and which trim levels include AEB and blind-spot monitoring — those features aren't always standard.
Long-term ownership scores: Across 20, Grand Vitara 20. Service intervals, parts availability in SA, and whether a service plan is bundled all factor in — check the individual variant specs for that detail.
Practicality scores: Across 14, Grand Vitara 12. This covers boot space, seat flexibility, and day-to-day usability — not just interior dimensions on paper.
Performance scores: Across 17, Grand Vitara 6. This looks at real-world pace — 0–100 kph, highway flexibility, and how either car feels when you actually need to overtake on an N-road.
Resale varies with colour, spec, and market timing, but Japanese brands — and Toyota specifically — have a strong track record in SA. Check current used prices for both on AutoTrader to see the real gap right now.
Ground clearance and 4WD availability are what matter most here. Scroll to the spec table above to compare both side by side — if either model offers a 4WD variant, that's the version worth comparing.
Fuel, insurance, and service costs are the big three. Diesel variants of both models typically save R800–R1,500/month in fuel at current SA pump prices. The Across edges the overall ownership score, but check whether either variant includes a service plan — that changes the monthly maths significantly.
The Across scores better overall, but neither car is a bad buy here. It comes down to what features matter to you — check the full spec table above to see exactly what you gain and lose at each price point.
In Depth — Breaking It All Down
The comparison between Across and Grand Vitara in South Africa
evaluates performance, efficiency, safety, practicality and long-term ownership value.
Performance: Across scores 17 vs 6.
Efficiency: Across scores 0 vs 0.
Safety: Across scores 20 vs 18.
Practicality: Across scores 14 vs 12.
Ownership: Across scores 20 vs 20.
Final structured scoring gives Across
the advantage in this comparison.
Compare
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