Suzuki Across vs Hyundai Palisade

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.

Includes an archived model

Current and archived cars are compared side by side. Archived models keep their verified historical specs, while price labels show last-listed context rather than current new-car availability.

Hyundai Palisade
Suzuki Across in South Africa

Suzuki Across

2.5 PHEV E-CVT Hybrid Automatic
ZAR 1,199,900 ex-showroom
⚡ 225 kW 🔧 227 Nm ⛽ 100 km/l
VS
Hyundai Palisade in South Africa

Hyundai Palisade

2.2D Elite AWD 8AT 7-Seater Diesel Automatic Archive reference
ZAR 1,204,500 last listed
No longer sold new Specs stay visible for owner and used-car comparisons.
⚡ 142 kW 🔧 440 Nm ⛽ 8.2 km/l
Add a 3rd car

At a Glance — Who Wins What

Performance Across
Fuel Economy Across
🛡 Safety Across
📦 Practicality Palisade
🔑 Ownership Across
Across starts ZAR 1204500 cheaper Across from ZAR 1,199,900 · Palisade from ZAR 1,204,500

Key Specs Side by Side

The specs that matter most — highlighted where one car leads.

Spec Across Palisade
Engine Power 225 kW 142 kW
Torque 227 Nm 440 Nm
Engine Size 2487 cc 2199 cc
Claimed Mileage 100 km/l 8.2 km/l
Ground Clearance 200 mm Not confirmed
Boot / Load Bay 490 l Not confirmed
Airbags 8 Driver, passenger, side and curtain
Kerb Weight 1955 kg 1952 kg
Seating Capacity 5 7
Warranty 5 Years / 200000 km 5 years / 150 000 km plus 2 years / 50 000 km powertrain

= leads in this spec

Archived models stay fully comparable. Verified specs remain visible; historical fields that were not source-confirmed are marked Not confirmed instead of being guessed.

The Bottom Line

Across dominates this comparison with clear advantages across multiple categories.

Where They Actually Differ

Performance Across +4 pts
Efficiency Across +58 pts
Safety Across +62 pts
Practicality Palisade +11 pts
Ownership Across +31 pts

What Each Car Gets Right (and Wrong)

🏆 Overall Winner

Across

Strengths
  • More powerful engine output
  • Better fuel efficiency
  • Stronger safety package
  • Better long-term ownership value
Weak Spots
  • Less practical in daily usage
Best suited to: Highway Driving Fuel Efficiency

Palisade

Strengths
  • More practical for daily use
Weak Spots
  • Less powerful engine setup
  • Lower fuel efficiency
  • Less comprehensive safety features
  • Shorter warranty coverage
Best suited to: Family Usage

Which One's Right for You?

Across

  • Drivers who prioritise strong highway performance and overtaking power
  • Buyers looking for better fuel efficiency
  • Families prioritising stronger safety equipment
  • Long-term owners valuing warranty and ownership peace of mind

Palisade

  • Large families needing more practicality and usability

Full Specs, Side by Side

Archived cars use verified historical spec records. Rows remain comparable; unavailable historical values are shown plainly rather than estimated.

Spec Across Palisade
Model Introduced Year 2021 Current local generation year not confirmed
Generation Fifth-generation RAV4 platform (TNGA-K). The Across uses the same body, drivetrain and electronics as the RAV4 PHEV, distinguished only by Suzuki badging and a slightly different grille treatment. Current South African Palisade listing; generation notes should be kept tied to the local model year and confirmed derivative data.
Facelift History Originally launched globally in 2020 as Toyota RAV4 PHEV; rebadged as Suzuki Across for European and select markets including SA from 2021. No major facelift to date. Model-year updates can affect trim, wheels, screens, safety equipment and colours. Use the latest South African price list when checking a specific vehicle.
Facelift Launched Since 2021 Original current-generation version
Facelift Version Ending Current Discontinued - exact end year not confirmed
Body Style SUV Seven-seat SUV
Color Note Pure White, Silver Metallic, Attitude Black, Emotional Red, Cyan Metallic, Dark Blue Mica Not confirmed
Dealer Stock Note Phev grade in the South Africa lineup Not confirmed
Model Year 2026 2026
Production Status published Not confirmed
Segment SUV Not confirmed
Vehicle Type SUV Not confirmed
Spec Across Palisade
Ground Clearance 200 mm Not confirmed
Wheelbase 2690 mm Not confirmed
Length 4635 mm Not confirmed
Width 1855 mm Not confirmed
Height 1690 mm Not confirmed
Kerb Weight 1955 kg 1952 kg
Gross Vehicle Weight 2510 kg Not confirmed
Seating Capacity 5 7
Boot Space 490 l Not confirmed
Towing Capacity 1500 kg 2200 kg
Front Track Width 1605 mm Not confirmed
Rear Track Width 1620 mm Not confirmed
Turning Radius 5.7 m Not confirmed
Load Bed Length 490 l Not confirmed
Load Bed Width - Not confirmed
Front Legroom 1090 mm Not confirmed
Rear Legroom 950 mm Not confirmed
Front Headroom 1015 mm Not confirmed
Rear Headroom 1004 mm Not confirmed
Front Shoulder Room 1455 mm Not confirmed
Rear Shoulder Room 1418 mm Not confirmed
Boot Space Seats Folded 1604 l Not confirmed
Number of Doors 5 Not confirmed
Max Payload 555 kg Not confirmed
Boot Volume 490 l Not confirmed
Doors 5 Not confirmed
Seats 5 7
Front Overhang 915 mm Not confirmed
Fuel Tank Capacity 55 l 71 l
Rear Overhang 1030 mm Not confirmed
Gross Vehicle Mass Kg 2510 kg Not confirmed
Ground Clearance Max 200 mm Not confirmed
Ground Clearance Min 200 mm Not confirmed
Ground Clearance Mm 200 mm Not confirmed
Height Mm 1690 mm Not confirmed
Length Mm 4635 mm Not confirmed
Loadbox Length Mm 490 l Not confirmed
Loadbox Width Mm - Not confirmed
Payload Kg 555 kg Not confirmed
Cargo Volume 490 l Not confirmed
Tare Mass Kg 1955 kg 1952 kg
Turning Circle 5.7 m Not confirmed
Turning Circle M 5.7 m Not confirmed
Width Mm 1855 mm Not confirmed
Boot Space Seats Folded 1604 l Not confirmed

Overall Verdict Score

Decision-grade view of the winner, score gap and category strengths.

Weighted / 100
Verdict readout

Across leads by 26 points

Across dominates this comparison with clear advantages across multiple categories.

Winner 84 /100
Lead 26 points
Data 100% confidence
84
#1 Winner

Across

100% data confidence 4 strong categories
Best at Safety 100 Check Practicality 66
Performance 78
Efficiency 98
Safety 100
Practicality 66
Ownership 82
Leads by 26 points
58
#2

Palisade

69% data confidence 2 strong categories
Best at Practicality 77 Check Safety 38
Performance 74
Efficiency 40
Safety 38
Practicality 77
Ownership 51
Performance 24% Safety 22% Practicality 22% Efficiency 17% Ownership 15%
Category leaders What moves the verdict
Performance Across +4 Efficiency Across +58 Safety Across +62 Practicality Palisade +11 Ownership Across +31

High confidence result.

Why this score View full breakdown
Overall Winner

Across

Performance 78/100
Efficiency 98/100
Safety 100/100
Practicality 66/100
Ownership 82/100

Palisade

Performance 74/100
Efficiency 40/100
Safety 38/100
Practicality 77/100
Ownership 51/100

So, Which One Should You Buy?

🏆 Suzuki Across wins with 84 pts vs 58 pts for Palisade

In structured scoring, Across emerges as the stronger overall package. However, Palisade may appeal to buyers prioritising different factors. Ultimately, the right choice depends on your driving priorities in South Africa.

Buyers Also Looked At These

Other comparisons that people in the same boat tend to check out.

Questions Buyers Usually Ask

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 98 vs Palisade 40. 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 100, Palisade 38. 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 82, Palisade 51. 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 66, Palisade 77. This covers boot space, seat flexibility, and day-to-day usability — not just interior dimensions on paper.

Performance scores: Across 78, Palisade 74. 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 Palisade in South Africa evaluates performance, efficiency, safety, practicality and long-term ownership value.

Performance: Across scores 78 vs 74.

Efficiency: Across scores 98 vs 40.

Safety: Across scores 100 vs 38.

Practicality: Across scores 66 vs 77.

Ownership: Across scores 82 vs 51.

Final structured scoring gives Across the advantage in this comparison.