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.
⚡ 300 kW🔧 Front 268.6; rear 268.6 Nm⛽ Not Applicable km/l
+Add a 3rd car
At a Glance — Who Wins What
⚡PerformanceRZ
⛽Fuel EconomyAcross
🛡SafetyAcross
📦PracticalityAcross
🔑OwnershipRZ
Across starts ZAR 1682600 cheaperAcross from ZAR 1,199,900 · RZ from ZAR 1,682,600
Key Specs Side by Side
The specs that matter most — highlighted where one car leads.
Spec
Across
RZ
Engine Power
225 kW
300 kW
Torque
227 Nm
Front 268.6; rear 268.6 Nm
Engine Size
2487 cc
-
Claimed Mileage
100 km/l
-
Ground Clearance
200 mm
200 mm
Boot / Load Bay
490 l
522 l
Airbags
8
Knee,Curtain,Driver,Passenger,Front Side
Kerb Weight
1955 kg
2145-2165 kg
Seating Capacity
5
5
Warranty
5 Years / 200000 km
7 years / 105,000km
= leads in this spec
The Bottom Line
Both Across and RZ are extremely closely matched, making the final choice dependent on buyer preference.
Where They Actually Differ
Performance
RZ
+5 pts
Efficiency
Across
+8 pts
Safety
Across
+6 pts
Practicality
Across
+4 pts
Ownership
RZ
+11 pts
What Each Car Gets Right (and Wrong)
🏆 Overall Winner
Across
Strengths
Better fuel efficiency
Stronger safety package
More practical for daily use
Weak Spots
Less powerful engine setup
Shorter warranty coverage
Best suited to:Fuel EfficiencyFamily Usage
RZ
Strengths
More powerful engine output
Better long-term ownership value
Weak Spots
Lower fuel efficiency
Less comprehensive safety features
Less practical in daily usage
Best suited to:Highway Driving
Which One's Right for You?
Across
Buyers looking for better fuel efficiency
Families prioritising stronger safety equipment
Large families needing more practicality and usability
RZ
Drivers who prioritise strong highway performance and overtaking power
Long-term owners valuing warranty and ownership peace of mind
Full Specs, Side by Side
Spec
Across
RZ
Model Introduced Year
2021
2026
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.
Updated dedicated battery-electric Lexus RZ range launched locally in 2026
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.
2026 South African range introduces RZ 500e, RZ 550e F SPORT and RZ 600e F SPORT derivatives
Facelift Launched Since
2021
2026 South African range introduces RZ 500e, RZ 550e F SPORT and RZ 600e F SPORT derivatives
Facelift Version Ending
Current
Current South African specification checked 2026-07-17
Body Style
SUV
SUV
Color Note
Pure White, Silver Metallic, Attitude Black, Emotional Red, Cyan Metallic, Dark Blue Mica
-
Dealer Stock Note
Phev grade in the South Africa lineup
-
Model Year
2026
2026
Production Status
published
published
Segment
SUV
Luxury SUV
Vehicle Type
SUV
SUV
Spec
Across
RZ
Ground Clearance
200 mm
200 mm
Wheelbase
2690 mm
2850 mm
Length
4635 mm
4805 mm
Width
1855 mm
1895 mm
Height
1690 mm
1635 mm
Kerb Weight
1955 kg
2145-2165 kg
Gross Vehicle Weight
2510 kg
2640 kg
Seating Capacity
5
5
Boot Space
490 l
522 l
Towing Capacity
1500 kg
750 kg
Front Track Width
1605 mm
1614 mm
Rear Track Width
1620 mm
1636 mm
Turning Radius
5.7 m
5.6 m
Load Bed Length
490 l
522 l
Load Bed Width
-
-
Front Legroom
1090 mm
-
Rear Legroom
950 mm
-
Front Headroom
1015 mm
-
Rear Headroom
1004 mm
-
Front Shoulder Room
1455 mm
-
Rear Shoulder Room
1418 mm
-
Boot Space Seats Folded
1604 l
-
Number of Doors
5
5
Max Payload
555 kg
475-495 kg
Boot Volume
490 l
522 l
Doors
5
5
Seats
5
5
Front Overhang
915 mm
-
Fuel Tank Capacity
55 l
-
Rear Overhang
1030 mm
-
Gross Vehicle Mass Kg
2510 kg
2640 kg
Ground Clearance Max
200 mm
200 mm
Ground Clearance Min
200 mm
200 mm
Ground Clearance Mm
200 mm
200 mm
Height Mm
1690 mm
1635 mm
Length Mm
4635 mm
4805 mm
Loadbox Length Mm
490 l
522 l
Loadbox Width Mm
-
-
Payload Kg
555 kg
475-495 kg
Cargo Volume
490 l
522 l
Tare Mass Kg
1955 kg
2145-2165 kg
Turning Circle
5.7 m
5.6 m
Turning Circle M
5.7 m
5.6 m
Width Mm
1855 mm
1895 mm
Boot Space Seats Folded
1604 l
-
Spec
Across
RZ
Engine
2.5L Petrol + Electric (PHEV)
Dual electric e-Axles
Engine Type
Hybrid
Dual electric e-Axles
Displacement
2487 cc
-
Cylinders
4
-
Valves per Cylinder
16
-
Power
225 kW
300 kW
Power @ RPM
6000
-
Torque
227 Nm
Front 268.6; rear 268.6 Nm
Torque @ RPM
3600
-
Fuel System
D-4S Direct + Port Injection
Battery Electric
Turbocharger
No
-
Top Speed
180 km/h
180 km/h
0-100 km/h
6.0 sec
4.4 sec
Compression Ratio
14.0
-
Engine Position
Transverse Front
-
Cylinder Bore
87.5 mm
-
Piston Stroke
103.4 mm
-
Engine Code
A25A-FXS + 5JM/5HM
-
Engine Oil Capacity
4.6 l
-
Power
302 bhp
402 bhp
Fuel Grade Required
Petrol + Electric
-
Cylinder Layout
Inline
-
Engine Aspiration
Naturally Aspirated
-
Variable Valve Timing
Dual VVT-i
-
Maximum Engine RPM
6000 rpm
-
Engine Type Config
Inline 4-cylinder + 2 electric motors
Dual electric e-Axles
0–100 km/h
6.0 sec
4.4 sec
Battery Capacity
18.1 kWh
-
Charging Port
Type 2
-
AC Charging Time
6.5 hours (3.3 kW)
-
Engine Displacement
2487 cc
-
Engine Displacement Litres
2487 cc
-
EV Range
75 km
-
Acceleration 0 100
6.0 sec
4.4 sec
Engine Config
2.5L Petrol + Electric (PHEV)
Dual electric e-Axles
Engine Cylinders
4
-
Engine Displacement Cc
2487 cc
-
Engine Power kW
225 kW
300 kW
Engine Torque Nm
227 Nm
Front 268.6; rear 268.6 Nm
Engine Valves
16
-
Induction
Naturally Aspirated
-
Max Power kW
225 kW
300 kW
Max Torque Nm
227 Nm
Front 268.6; rear 268.6 Nm
Maximum Power
225 kW
300 kW
Maximum Torque
227 Nm
Front 268.6; rear 268.6 Nm
Power Assisted Steering
Electric
-
Power kW Rpm
6000
-
Active Exhaust
-
-
Torque Nm Rpm
3600
-
Turbo Type
Naturally Aspirated
-
Spec
Across
RZ
Transmission
Automatic
Single-speed electric drive
Drive Type
AllGrip-e AWD (electric rear axle)
AWD DIRECT4
Drivetrain Layout
AllGrip-e AWD (electric rear axle)
AWD DIRECT4
LSD Available
-
-
Transfer Case
-
-
Differential Lock
No
-
Paddle Shifters
-
Standard
Final Drive Ratio
3.542
-
Steering Turns Lock to Lock
14.7:1
-
Number of Gears
1 km/h
1 km/h
Transmission Type
Automatic
Single-speed electric drive
Clutch Type
-
-
Drivetrain
AllGrip-e AWD (electric rear axle)
AWD DIRECT4
Transmission
Automatic
Single-speed electric drive
4WD Engagement
-
Permanent all-wheel drive
4WD Hi Range
-
-
4WD Lo Range
-
-
4WD Selector
-
-
Automatic Shift Paddles
-
Standard
Front Differential Lock
-
-
Gearbox Type
Automatic
Single-speed electric drive
Low Range
-
-
Axle Layout
AllGrip-e AWD (electric rear axle)
AWD DIRECT4
Rear Differential Lock
-
-
Transmission Speeds
1 km/h
1 km/h
Spec
Across
RZ
Claimed Mileage
100 km/l
-
City Mileage
82 km/l
-
Highway Mileage
116 km/l
-
Fuel Tank Capacity
55 l
-
Emission Standard
Euro 6
-
AdBlue Tank Capacity
-
-
Auto Start Stop
0.5
-
Average Fuel Consumption
1.0 l/100km
-
Claimed Fuel Consumption
1.0 l/100km
-
Distance To Empty
Yes
-
Low Fuel Warning
Yes
-
Fuel Efficiency
1.0 l/100km
-
Real-world Mileage
100 km/l
-
AC Charging Power
-
22
Charging Port Type
Type 2
-
Charging Time AC Full
6.5 hours (3.3 kW)
-
Charging Time DC Fast 80pct
-
Approximately 30 minutes from 10-80% with battery pre-conditioning
Performance
RZ +5
Efficiency
Across +8
Safety
Across +6
Practicality
Across +4
Ownership
RZ +11
Very close match. Final decision depends on buyer preference.
Why this scoreView full breakdown
Overall Winner
Across
Performance
78/100
Efficiency
98/100
Safety
100/100
Practicality
66/100
Ownership
82/100
RZ
Performance
83/100
Efficiency
90/100
Safety
94/100
Practicality
62/100
Ownership
93/100
So, Which One Should You Buy?
🏆Suzuki Across
wins with 84 pts
vs 83 pts for RZ
In structured scoring, Across emerges as the stronger overall package. However, RZ 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 98 vs RZ 90. 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, RZ 94. 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, RZ 93. 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, RZ 62. This covers boot space, seat flexibility, and day-to-day usability — not just interior dimensions on paper.
Performance scores: Across 78, RZ 83. 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 RZ in South Africa
evaluates performance, efficiency, safety, practicality and long-term ownership value.
Performance: Across scores 78 vs 83.
Efficiency: Across scores 98 vs 90.
Safety: Across scores 100 vs 94.
Practicality: Across scores 66 vs 62.
Ownership: Across scores 82 vs 93.
Final structured scoring gives Across
the advantage in this comparison.
Compare
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