The Toyota RAV4 Gives the U.S. No Reason for the 2022 Suzuki Across
Since 2020, the Suzuki Across has been available to markets outside the U.S. Does the American market need the plug-in hybrid SUV? Fortunately, there’s no reason for it to come to the states. Thanks to the ultra-popular Toyota RAV4, the Across would be completely irrelevant. The PHEV is just a European-exclusive, rebadged RAV4.
The 2022 Suzuki Across is a rebadged Toyota RAV4
Firstly, the Suzuki Across is a Toyota RAV4 that’s been rebadged to look like a Suzuki. The brand doesn’t sell vehicles in the U.S. anymore, other than the Jimny. However, in Europe, you can get a Toyota RAV4 in disguise, called the Across. To be more specific, it’s a RAV4 Prime plug-in hybrid model. Inside and out, the Suzuki PHEV is the same as a RAV4 Prime; however, it has a slightly different front fascia.
Still, it’s easy to tell that the Suzuki Across uses the body of a Toyota RAV4. Although there are some styling changes, we think the Suzuki model wears them well. MotorTrend pointed out that Toyota once sold rebadged Mazdas when the brand wasn’t as popular. If Suzuki had partnered with Toyota that long ago, would the brand still be thriving in the states?
Is the RAV4 more expensive than its Suzuki clone?
Since the Toyota RAV4 is more popular, and Suzuki borrows its design and platform, you’d think it would be more expensive. However, that assumption is incorrect, as the Across is actually more costly. Purchasing a 2022 Suzuki Across PHEV will cost you £45,544, nearly $58,000. Contrarily, the Toyota RAV4 Prime starts under $40,000, and the standard RAV4 starts at $26,525.
Does the Suzuki Across have any upgrades over its Toyota twin? The Across has different wheels, a redesigned front grille, and some new badges, according to Top Gear. That’s it. There’s nothing else to make it worth your while. All that extra cash simply comes from the car being a Suzuki instead of a Toyota, which is shocking because Suzukis are typically cheap, as are Toyotas.
The 2022 Suzuki Across received upgrades
For the new model year, the Across got a little better than before. To be more specific, a standard onboard 6 kW AC charger is now included. That’s a considerable step up from the previous 3 kW version, which allows the PHEV to charge in half the time it did previously. Moreover, charging time is reduced from 5.30 hours to 2.45 hours using a 32A rapid charger. Home charging at a 16A facility is also down 36 minutes to under five hours.
Charging isn’t the only improvement the RAV4-lite received for the 2022 model year. Furthermore, the PHEV now uses LED lights in the fog lights, headlights, rear cabin light, and cargo space light. Finally, owners will be able to see better inside and outside the Suzuki Across. Overhead console switches and mirror controls are now illuminated as well. Welcome to 2022, Suzuki.
The U.S. doesn’t need the Suzuki Across thanks to the Toyota RAV4
In conclusion, the 2022 Toyota RAV4 and RAV4 Prime give us no reason to bring the Suzuki Across to the United States. It’s quite literally the exact vehicle with new badges and minor design changes. The design differences aren’t noticeable enough for anyone to care for the most part. Overall, buying a Toyota RAV4 will get you the same vehicle as the European exclusive, only it’ll cost less.
