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.
ZS starts ZAR 60,000 cheaperAcross from ZAR 349,900 · ZS from ZAR 289,900
Key Specs Side by Side
The specs that matter most — highlighted where one car leads.
Spec
Across
ZS
Maximum Power
75.8 kW @ 6000 rpm
84 kW
Maximum Torque
136.8 Nm @ 4400 rpm
150 Nm
Engine Size
1462 cc
1498 cc
Combined Fuel Economy
18.9 km/l
14.08 km/l
Ground Clearance
210 mm
175 mm
Boot / Load Bay
333 l
359 l
Airbags
6
6
Kerb Weight
-
1258 kg
Seating Capacity
5 seats
5 seats
Warranty
5 years / 200,000 km promotional warranty
7 years / 200,000 km
= leads in this spec
The Bottom Line
Across and ZS are close on the comparable published fields, so buyer priorities should decide.
Where They Actually Differ
Performance
ZS
+3 pts
Efficiency
Across
+21 pts
Safety
Across
+4 pts
Practicality
Across
+10 pts
What Each Car Gets Right (and Wrong)
Catalogue-index leader
Across
Strengths
Better fuel efficiency
Stronger listed safety equipment
Stronger published practicality figures
Weak Spots
Less powerful engine setup
Best suited to:Published EfficiencyPublished Practicality
ZS
Strengths
More powerful engine output
Weak Spots
Lower fuel efficiency
Fewer listed safety features
Lower published practicality figures
Best suited to:Published Performance
Which One's Right for You?
Across
Buyers prioritising the lower published fuel or energy use
Buyers prioritising the more complete listed safety equipment
Buyers prioritising the stronger published space and capacity figures
ZS
Buyers prioritising the stronger published powertrain figures
Full Specs, Side by Side
Spec
Across
ZS
Model Introduced Year
2026
2025
Generation
First South African generation of the current Across
Current local value-positioned ZS compact SUV, sold alongside rather than replaced by the larger turbocharged ZS Pro.
Facelift History
All-new March 2026 South African launch model; no facelift yet
Current South African ZS specification introduced with MG's market return in 2025.
Facelift Launched Since
Original current-generation version
2025
Facelift Version Ending
Current
Current
Body Style
Five-door compact SUV
Five-door compact SUV
Model Year
2026
2024
Production Status
On sale
active
Segment
C-segment family SUV
Compact SUV
Tare Mass Kg
1200-1250 kg
-
Vehicle Type
Passenger vehicle
SUV
Spec
Across
ZS
Length
4360 mm
4314 mm
Width
1795 mm
1809 mm
Height
1655 mm
1624 mm
Wheelbase
2600 mm
2585 mm
Ground Clearance (Default)
210 mm
175 mm
Fuel Tank Capacity
45 l
48 l
Boot/Cargo Space
333 l
359 l
Payload Capacity
460 kg
437 kg
Seating Capacity
5 seats
5 seats
Number of Rows
2 rows
2 rows
Doors
5 doors
5 doors
Minimum Turning Radius
5.4 m
5.6 m
Ground Clearance (With Full Seating Load)
-
Not Officially Disclosed
Kerb Weight
-
1258 kg
Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW)
-
1695 kg
Towing Capacity
-
500 kg
Front Headroom
-
1043 mm
Rear Headroom
-
995 mm
Front Legroom
-
1070 mm
Rear Legroom
-
850 mm
Spec
Across
ZS
Front Track Width
1530 mm
-
Rear Track Width
1535 mm
-
Front Suspension
MacPherson strut
Independent
Rear Suspension
Torsion beam
Torsion Beam
Power Steering
Electronic rack-and-pinion
-
Steering Column
Tilt and telescopic adjustment
-
Spec
Across
ZS
Load Bed Length
Not Applicable
-
Load Bed Width
Not Applicable
-
Climate Control
Automatic
ETC air conditioning
Power Windows
Front and rear; driver one-touch up/down
Standard
Keyless Entry
Standard
Standard
Push Button Start
Standard
Standard
Wireless Charging
Front Qi charger standard
Not Available
Sunroof
Panoramic
Standard
Electric Tailgate
Smart powered hands-free tailgate
Not Available
Auto Dimming Mirror
Standard
-
Rear Window Defroster
Electric demister
-
12V Accessory Socket
2 x 12V (front and luggage area)
-
AC Type
Automatic
ETC air conditioning
Heads Up Display
Standard
-
Power Mirrors
Electric folding
-
Loadbox Length Mm
Not Applicable
-
Loadbox Width Mm
Not Applicable
-
Rain Sensing Wipers
-
Not Available
Spec
Across
ZS
Engine
1.5-litre Naturally Aspirated Petrol Mild Hybrid
1.5-litre Naturally Aspirated NSE Petrol
Engine Code
K15C
NSE
Fuel Type
Petrol Mild Hybrid
Petrol
Hybrid System
12V Mild Hybrid
Not Applicable
Engine Displacement
1462 cc
1498 cc
Cylinders
4
4
Cylinder Layout
Inline
Inline
Valves
16
Not Officially Disclosed
Valves per Cylinder
4
Not Officially Disclosed
Aspiration
Naturally Aspirated
Naturally Aspirated
Fuel System
Multi-Point Injection
Multipoint fuel injection
Compression Ratio
12.0:1
Not Officially Disclosed
Bore
74 mm
Not Officially Disclosed
Stroke
85 mm
Not Officially Disclosed
Maximum Power
75.8 kW @ 6000 rpm
84 kW
Maximum Torque
136.8 Nm @ 4400 rpm
150 Nm
Combined Power
Not Officially Disclosed
Not Applicable
Combined Torque
Not Officially Disclosed
Not Applicable
Motor Type
Not Officially Disclosed
Not Applicable
Number of Motors
Not Officially Disclosed
Not Applicable
Motor Location
Not Officially Disclosed
Not Applicable
Drive Type
FWD
FWD
Transmission
6-Speed Automatic
4-Speed Automatic
Top Speed
Not Officially Disclosed
Not Officially Disclosed
0-100 km/h
Not Officially Disclosed
Not Officially Disclosed
Quarter Mile
Not Officially Disclosed
Not Officially Disclosed
Drive Modes
Not Officially Disclosed
No
Launch Control
Not Officially Disclosed
No
Rev Limiter
Not Officially Disclosed
Not Officially Disclosed
Power-to-Weight Ratio
Not Officially Disclosed
66.77 kW/tonne
Torque-to-Weight Ratio
Not Officially Disclosed
119.24 Nm/tonne
Battery Capacity
Not Officially Disclosed
Not Applicable
Usable Battery Capacity
Not Officially Disclosed
Not Applicable
Battery Type
Not Officially Disclosed
Not Applicable
Battery Voltage
Not Officially Disclosed
Not Applicable
Electric Range
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
AC Charging Power
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
DC Charging Power
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
AC Charging Time
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
DC Charging Time
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Regenerative Braking
Not Officially Disclosed
Not Applicable
Spec
Across
ZS
Gearbox
6-speed automatic
4-Speed Automatic
Drivetrain Layout
Front-engine, front-wheel drive
Front-wheel drive
LSD Available
Not Applicable
Not Available
Transfer Case
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Differential Lock
Not Applicable
Not Available
Paddle Shifters
Standard
Not Available
Final Drive Ratio
3.683
Not Officially Disclosed
Number of Gears
6
4
Transmission Type
Automatic
Automatic
Gear Shift Type
Straight-gate automatic selector
Automatic
Drivetrain
2WD front-wheel drive
Front-wheel drive
4WD Engagement
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
4WD Hi Range
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
4WD Lo Range
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
4WD Selector
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Automatic Shift Paddles
Standard
Not Available
Front Differential Lock
Not Applicable
Not Available
Gearbox Type
6-speed automatic
Automatic
Low Range Ratio
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Low Range
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Axle Layout
4x2
Front-wheel drive
Rear Differential Lock
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Transmission Speeds
6
4
Clutch Type
-
Torque converter automatic
Gear Shift Indicator
-
Standard
Spec
Across
ZS
Claimed Mileage
18.9 km/l
14.08 km/l
City Mileage
15.3 km/l
10.99 km/l
Highway Mileage
22.0 km/l
16.95 km/l
Fuel Tank Capacity
45 l
48 l
AdBlue Tank Capacity
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Auto Start Stop
Engine auto stop/start system standard
Not Available
Charging Port Type
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Charging Type
Not Applicable; non-plug-in mild hybrid
Not Applicable
Fuel Tank Litres
45
48
Combined Driving Range
Not Applicable; no electric-only driving range
Not Applicable
Electric Consumption
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Range Real World Highway
Not Applicable; no electric-only range
Not Applicable
Range Real World Mixed
Not Applicable; no electric-only range
Not Applicable
Emission Standard
-
EURO 5
Real-world Mileage
18.9 km/l
14.08 km/l
Spec
Across
ZS
Airbags
6
6
ABS
Standard
Standard
Electronic Stability Control
Standard
Standard
Traction Control
Standard through ESP
Standard
Hill Start Assist
Standard
Standard
ISOFIX Mounts
2 rear anchor positions
Standard
Brake Assist
DSBS II brake assist
Standard
Engine Immobiliser
Standard
Standard
Alarm System
Standard
-
Seatbelt Warning All Seats
Front seats only; rear reminder not available
Standard
Front Parking Sensors
Standard
Not Available
AEB
Standard
Not Available
BA
DSBS II brake assist
Standard
Curtain Airbags
Standard
Standard
Driver Airbag
Standard
Standard
EBD
Standard
Standard
Engine Immobiliser
Standard
Standard
Hill Hold
Standard
Standard
Passenger Airbag
Standard
Standard
Rear Cross Traffic Alert
Alert
Not Available
Seatbelt Pretensioners
Front seats
Standard
Seatbelt Reminder
Front seats only
Standard
Side Airbags
Standard
Standard
Stability Control
Standard
Standard
TCS
Standard through ESP
Standard
Knee Airbag
Not Available; six-airbag layout is front, side and curtain
Not Available
ABS EBD
Standard
Standard
Hill Descent Control
-
Not Available
Child Safety Lock
-
Standard
Tyre Pressure Monitor
-
Standard
Brake Override System
-
Not Officially Disclosed
Spec
Across
ZS
Cruise Control
Adaptive
Standard
Adaptive Cruise Control
Standard
Not Available
Lane Keep Assist
Standard
Not Available
Lane Departure Warning
Standard
Not Available
Blind Spot Monitoring
Standard
Not Available
Rear Cross Traffic Alert
Alert
Not Available
Parking Sensors
Front and rear
Rear
Rear View Camera
Surround-view camera
Standard
360 Degree Camera
Standard
Standard
Autonomous Emergency Braking
Standard
Not Available
Driver Fatigue Alert
Weaving alert
Not Available
Auto Highbeam
Standard
Not Available
Rear Parking Sensors
Standard
Standard
Reverse Camera
Surround-view camera
Standard
Adaptive Cruise Control
Standard
Not Available
Around View Monitor
Standard
Standard
Blind Spot Warning
Standard
Not Available
Forward Collision Warning
DSBS II warning
Not Available
Surround View Camera
Standard
Standard
Lane Departure Prevention
Standard
-
Traffic Sign Recognition
-
Not Available
Auto Wipers
-
Not Available
Park Assist
-
Not Available
Spec
Across
ZS
Seat Material
Synthetic leather
PVC + PU
Ventilated Seats
Front
Not Available
Ambient Lighting
64-colour LED
Not Available
Rear Armrest
Standard with cup holders
-
Cup Holders
4 (2 front, 2 rear)
-
Rear AC Vents
Standard
-
Steering Wheel Material
Leather
Leather
60 40 Split Seat
Standard single-fold rear seat
Standard
Driver Seat Adjustment
8-way electric
6-way manual
Passenger Seat Adjustment
Manual; no height adjustment
4-way manual, no height adjustment
Boot Light
Standard
-
Seat Trim
Black synthetic leather with copper stitching
PVC + PU
Heated Seats
-
Not Available
Spec
Across
ZS
Infotainment System
10.1-inch display audio
8-inch touchscreen
Apple CarPlay
Wired or wireless
Standard
Android Auto
Wired or wireless
Standard
Bluetooth Connectivity
Standard
Standard
Number of Speakers
8-speaker Infinity
6
Digital Instrument Cluster
10.25-inch colour TFT information display
Not Available
USB Ports
4 Type-C (2 front, 2 rear)
Standard
Steering Wheel Audio Controls
Audio, cruise control and hands-free phone
-
Rear Usb
2 Type-C
-
Audio System
Infinity premium 8-speaker
-
Front Rear USB Charge Ports
2 front Type-C and 2 rear Type-C
-
Infotainment Screen
10.1-inch
8-inch
Smartphone Connectivity
Apple CarPlay and Android Auto via USB or Wi-Fi
-
Touchscreen
10.1-inch
8-inch
Spec
Across
ZS
LED Headlamps
Standard
Standard
Daytime Running Lamps
LED standard
Standard
Fog Lamps
Front standard; rear not available
Standard
Roof Rails
Grey
Standard
Alloy Wheel Design
Machined 17-inch
-
Exterior Colour Options
Magma Grey Metallic; Sizzling Red Metallic; Exuberant Blue Pearl Metallic; Arctic White Pearl; Bluish Black Pearl; Mystic Green Pearl; Splendid Silver Pearl Metallic; and GLX two-tone combinations of Splendid Silver, Sizzling Red or Exuberant Blue with a Bluish Black roof
Pearl Black, Arctic White, Storm Silver, Burnt Orange, Dynamic Red, Atlantic Blue
Rear Wiper
Fixed intermittent
-
Led Taillights
Connected rear LED tail lamps
-
Automatic Headlamps
Standard
-
Front Fog Lamps
Front standard; rear not available
Standard
Headlights
Standard
Standard
Panoramic Sunroof
Standard
Standard
Spec
Across
ZS
Locking Differential
Not Applicable
Not Available
4WD System Type
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Ground Clearance Max
210 mm
-
Ground Clearance Min
210 mm
-
Approach Angle
-
19.0 deg
Departure Angle
-
29.0 deg
Wading Depth
-
Not Officially Disclosed
Terrain Modes
-
Not Available
Breakover Angle
-
Not Officially Disclosed
Spec
Across
ZS
Tyre Size
215/60 R17
215/50R17
Wheel Type
Machined 17-inch
-
Front Brake Type
Ventilated disc
Disc
Rear Brake Type
Solid disc
Disc
Spare Wheel Type
Full-size spare
16-inch steel spare wheel and tyre R16
Parking Brake Type
Electric
-
Wheel Rim Size
17-inch machined alloy
17
Electric Park Brake
Standard
-
Handbrake Type
Electric parking brake
Mechanical
Spec
Across
ZS
Service Interval
15,000 km or 12 months, whichever comes first
-
Service Plan
4 years / 60,000 km
5 years/60,000 km
Spec
Across
ZS
Anti-Corrosion Warranty
6 years
-
Roadside Assistance
5 years
-
Warranty
5 years / 200,000 km promotional warranty
7 years / 200,000 km
Spec
Across
ZS
CO2 Emissions
121 g/km
165 g/km
Start Stop System
Standard
-
Hybrid System Type
12V SHVS mild hybrid with integrated starter generator
-
Fuel Octane Requirement
Petrol
-
Spec
Across
ZS
Ownership Role
A buyer who values AEB, blind-spot monitoring, adaptive cruise, surround-view parking and cooled front-seat comfort enough to accept a R92,000 premium over GL 6AT.
Passenger vehicle
Price Zar
464900 ZAR
309900 ZAR
Pricing Role
the safety-and-comfort flagship
Current South African MSRP
Starting Price
464900
309900
Starting Price Zar
464900
309900
Source-backed Catalogue Index
A transparent specification index shown only when every vehicle clears the minimum comparable-data threshold.
Weighted / 100
Catalogue-index readout
Across leads by 7 points
Across and ZS are close on the comparable published fields, so buyer priorities should decide.
Performance
ZS +3
Efficiency
Across +21
Safety
Across +4
Practicality
Across +10
Close catalogue match. Buyer priorities should decide the outcome.
Why this scoreView full breakdown
Catalogue-index leader
Across
Performance
34/100
Efficiency
76/100
Safety
91/100
Practicality
62/100
ZS
Performance
37/100
Efficiency
55/100
Safety
87/100
Practicality
52/100
How to Read This Comparison
🏆Suzuki Across
leads the catalogue index with 64 pts
vs 57 pts for ZS
In Hagalu's source-backed catalogue index, Across leads. However, ZS may suit buyers prioritising different confirmed fields. 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.
There is no universal winner. Use the comparison table to match the exact South African derivatives on price, safety equipment, space, powertrain and ownership cover. The category indicators summarise published catalogue data; they are not a road test or customer rating.
Compare the published consumption or mileage rows for the exact derivatives using the same unit and test basis. A catalogue figure is useful for like-for-like comparison, but traffic, speed, load, weather and driving style can change actual fuel use.
Compare only equipment explicitly listed for each derivative, including airbags, stability control and driver-assistance systems. Confirm the exact trim with the manufacturer, and treat any independent crash-test result separately because equipment and ratings can differ by market.
A reliable five-year total cannot be calculated from catalogue data alone. Add the exact purchase and finance cost, fuel or electricity, insurance quotes, scheduled servicing, tyres and expected resale value. Check whether the selected derivative includes a service or maintenance plan.
Use the seating, boot or load-space, ISOFIX and safety rows as a first check. Then test the exact cars with your child seats, passengers and typical luggage, because published dimensions do not show every access or comfort difference.
Compare the published power, torque and 0–100 km/h rows when they are available for both exact derivatives. Vehicle weight, gearing and power delivery also matter, so catalogue outputs alone do not establish real-world overtaking or response.
Hagalu does not publish a guaranteed resale winner. Depreciation depends on age, mileage, condition, derivative, colour, supply and demand. Compare several current used-market listings and obtain trade-in valuations for equivalent examples before relying on a resale estimate.
Check the exact derivatives for drive type, ground clearance, tyres, approach and departure angles, wading depth and low-range gearing where officially disclosed. SUV styling or all-wheel drive alone does not prove that a vehicle is suitable for demanding off-road use.
Calculate each exact derivative using your monthly distance and a current fuel or electricity price, then add finance, insurance, scheduled service, tyres and licence costs. Hagalu does not claim a fixed monthly saving without those buyer-specific inputs.
It is worth more only when the exact price difference buys equipment, space, performance or ownership cover that matters to you. Compare like-for-like lifecycle states and derivatives; a current offer and a historical last-listed price are not directly equivalent.
In Depth — Breaking It All Down
This Across and ZS comparison uses the exact South African derivatives selected above. The catalogue index covers performance, efficiency, safety equipment, practicality and ownership cover only where comparable source-backed fields are present.
Performance index: Across 34 vs ZS 37.
Efficiency index: Across 76 vs ZS 55.
Safety-equipment index: Across 91 vs ZS 87.
Practicality index: Across 62 vs ZS 52.
Ownership-cover index: Across not separately scored vs ZS not separately scored.
These figures are Hagalu catalogue-comparison indicators, not customer ratings, crash-test scores, resale guarantees or a substitute for a road test. Each page shows its weighted source coverage beside the result.
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