Suzuki Across vs Suzuki Grand Vitara

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.

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
Suzuki Grand Vitara in South Africa

Suzuki Grand Vitara

1.5 Hybrid GLX AllGrip AT Hybrid Automatic
ZAR 542,900 ex-showroom
⚡ 76 kW 🔧 137 Nm ⛽ 17.9 km/l
＋ Add a 3rd car

At a Glance — Who Wins What

⚡ Performance Across
⛽ Fuel Economy Across
🛡 Safety Across
📦 Practicality Across
🔑 Ownership Across
Grand Vitara starts ZAR 1199900 cheaper Across from ZAR 1,199,900 · Grand Vitara from ZAR 359,900

Key Specs Side by Side

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

Spec Across Grand Vitara
Engine Power 225 kW 76 kW
Torque 227 Nm 137 Nm
Engine Size 2487 cc 1462 cc
Claimed Mileage 100 km/l 17.9 km/l
Ground Clearance 200 mm 210 mm
Boot / Load Bay 490 l 310 l
Airbags 8 6
Kerb Weight 1955 kg 1225 kg
Seating Capacity 5 5
Warranty 5 Years / 200000 km 5

= leads in this spec

The Bottom Line

Across holds a noticeable edge over Grand Vitara, especially in key ownership areas.

Where They Actually Differ

Performance Across +44 pts
Efficiency Across +25 pts
Safety Across +18 pts
Practicality Across +4 pts
Ownership Across +11 pts

What Each Car Gets Right (and Wrong)

🏆 Overall Winner

Across

Strengths
  • More powerful engine output
  • Better fuel efficiency
  • Stronger safety package
  • More practical for daily use
  • Better long-term ownership value
Weak Spots
  • No obvious weak spots to flag.
Best suited to: Highway Driving Fuel Efficiency Family Usage

Grand Vitara

Strengths
  • Nothing stands out clearly here.
Weak Spots
  • Less powerful engine setup
  • Lower fuel efficiency
  • Less comprehensive safety features
  • Less practical in daily usage
  • Shorter warranty coverage
Best suited to: General Use

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
  • Large families needing more practicality and usability
  • Long-term owners valuing warranty and ownership peace of mind

Grand Vitara

  • Buyers looking for a balanced all-round vehicle

Full Specs, Side by Side

Spec Across Grand Vitara
Model Introduced Year 2021 2022
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. Third generation YHB-series Grand Vitara; shared platform with Toyota Urban Cruiser (a partnership-specific platform development); mild-hybrid system uses belt-integrated starter generator technology; all-new design and powertrain versus the previous generation
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. Third-generation Grand Vitara launched in SA in 2022; previous second-generation model discontinued in SA in 2015; current generation is a complete redesign on a new platform shared with the Toyota Urban Cruiser
Facelift Launched Since 2021 2022
Facelift Version Ending Current Current
Body Style SUV SUV
Color Note Pure White, Silver Metallic, Attitude Black, Emotional Red, Cyan Metallic, Dark Blue Mica Pearl Arctic White, Metallic Grandeur Grey, Metallic Midnight Blue, Premium Silver, Pearl Burning Red
Dealer Stock Note Phev grade in the South Africa lineup Flagship grade in the South Africa lineup
Model Year 2026 2026
Production Status published published
Segment SUV SUV
Vehicle Type SUV SUV
Drivetrain Note - Drive layout derived from the official derivative naming: 1.5 Hybrid GLX AllGrip AT
Spec Across Grand Vitara
Ground Clearance 200 mm 210 mm
Wheelbase 2690 mm 2600 mm
Length 4635 mm 4345 mm
Width 1855 mm 1795 mm
Height 1690 mm 1645 mm
Kerb Weight 1955 kg 1225 kg
Gross Vehicle Weight 2510 kg 1680 kg
Seating Capacity 5 5
Boot Space 490 l 310 l
Towing Capacity 1500 kg 0 kg
Front Track Width 1605 mm 1565 mm
Rear Track Width 1620 mm 1565 mm
Turning Radius 5.7 m 5.4 m
Load Bed Length 490 l 310 l
Load Bed Width - -
Front Legroom 1090 mm 1060 mm
Rear Legroom 950 mm 935 mm
Front Headroom 1015 mm 1010 mm
Rear Headroom 1004 mm 970 mm
Front Shoulder Room 1455 mm 1455 mm
Rear Shoulder Room 1418 mm 1430 mm
Boot Space Seats Folded 1604 l 708 l
Number of Doors 5 5
Max Payload 555 kg 530 kg
Boot Volume 490 l 310 l
Doors 5 5
Seats 5 5
Front Overhang 915 mm -
Fuel Tank Capacity 55 l 45 l
Rear Overhang 1030 mm -
Gross Vehicle Mass Kg 2510 kg 1680 kg
Ground Clearance Max 200 mm 210 mm
Ground Clearance Min 200 mm 210 mm
Ground Clearance Mm 200 mm 210 mm
Height Mm 1690 mm 1645 mm
Length Mm 4635 mm 4345 mm
Loadbox Length Mm 490 l 310 l
Loadbox Width Mm - -
Payload Kg 555 kg 530 kg
Cargo Volume 490 l 310 l
Tare Mass Kg 1955 kg 1225 kg
Turning Circle 5.7 m 5.4 m
Turning Circle M 5.7 m 5.4 m
Width Mm 1855 mm 1795 mm
Boot Space Seats Folded 1604 l 708 l

Overall Verdict Score

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

Weighted / 100
Verdict readout

Across leads by 21 points

Across holds a noticeable edge over Grand Vitara, especially in key ownership areas.

Winner 84 /100
Lead 21 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 21 points
63
#2

Grand Vitara

94% data confidence 3 strong categories
Best at Safety 82 Check Performance 34
Performance 34
Efficiency 73
Safety 82
Practicality 62
Ownership 71
Performance 24% Safety 22% Practicality 22% Efficiency 17% Ownership 15%
Category leaders What moves the verdict
Performance Across +44 Efficiency Across +25 Safety Across +18 Practicality Across +4 Ownership Across +11

Moderate difference between the models.

Why this score View full breakdown
Overall Winner

Across

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

Grand Vitara

Performance 34/100
Efficiency 73/100
Safety 82/100
Practicality 62/100
Ownership 71/100

So, Which One Should You Buy?

🏆 Suzuki Across wins with 84 pts vs 63 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.

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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 Grand Vitara 73. 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, Grand Vitara 82. 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, Grand Vitara 71. 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, Grand Vitara 62. This covers boot space, seat flexibility, and day-to-day usability — not just interior dimensions on paper.

Performance scores: Across 78, Grand Vitara 34. 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 78 vs 34.

Efficiency: Across scores 98 vs 73.

Safety: Across scores 100 vs 82.

Practicality: Across scores 66 vs 62.

Ownership: Across scores 82 vs 71.

Final structured scoring gives Across the advantage in this comparison.