Officially unveiled in September 2025, by the look of it, the Suzuki Victoris would be a good fit in the Japanese automaker’s local compact crossover lineup, which currently comprises the Fronx and Grand Vitara. However, following the Victoris’ global debut, Suzuki Auto South Africa remained tight-lipped whether the firm’s latest compact crossover will, indeed, make its way to Mzansi. Well, Suzuki SA has now confirmed the Victoris for our market. It won’t be called ‘Victoris’ here, though. Instead, the Victoris, as it is known overseas, will be dubbed ‘Across’ in SA.
In terms of exterior dimensions, the Across’ bodywork is slightly (by 15 mm) longer than the Grand Vitara’s, at 4 360 mm. The Across’ roofline is also marginally taller (by 10 mm) than than that of the latter, at 1 655 mm. The newcomer’s 1 795 mm width and 2 600 mm wheelbase are the same as the Grand Vitara’s.
So, what powers the Across? Well, the Across made its debut with a duo of electrified powertrains, which includes Suzuki’s 12 V SHVS mild-hybrid unit and a Toyota-derived “Strong Hybrid” system. However, a fair bet would be that the SA-spec models will exclusively employ the former setup, which comprises an atmospheric 1.5-litre, four-cylinder petrol engine and 12 V mild-hybrid system, which features an integrated starter generator and lithium-ion battery for improved fuel efficiency. The setup produces 75.8 kW at 6 000 r/min and 139 N.m at 4 300 r/min.
When will the Suzuki Across launch in South Africa?
Although the exact local launch date for the Across has yet to be confirmed, Suzuki SA has announced that the Across is penned in to arrive in Mzansi in 2026. Noteworthy, the Across has already been showcased on local shores.
Stepping inside, the Across is tech-laden with such items as 10.25-inch digital instrumentation and 10.1-inch touchscreen infotainment, which incorporates (wireless) Apple CarPlay and Android Auto screen mirroring. The SmartPlay Pro X system also features Alexa Auto Voice AI. Music is relayed through the cabin via an eight-speaker Infinity by Harman sound system with Dolby Atmos 5.1 surround sound. There’s also ambient lighting with 64 colour options, a wireless charging pad, a panoramic sunroof, ventilated and electrically adjustable driver’s seat, and a 360-degree camera system. Safety is equally comprehensive, with six airbags as standard and a full suite of ADAS, including adaptive cruise control, lane-keep assist, blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert.