2026 Suzuki Across: Toyota RAV4 Rebadged for Europe – Won’t Reach Australia

The latest iteration of Toyota’s best-selling SUV, the RAV4, will soon be appearing with a different badge in Europe: Suzuki. The 2026 Suzuki Across, a rebadged version of the new-generation Toyota RAV4, is slated for release in European markets in March, but will not be offered in Australia, despite the potential to bolster Suzuki’s sales figures in that region.

This isn’t the first time Toyota and Suzuki have engaged in a vehicle-sharing arrangement. The previous-generation RAV4 has been sold as the Suzuki Across in Europe since 2020, though that version featured more significant styling changes than the upcoming model. The 2026 Across largely mirrors the RAV4, differing primarily in badging. This practice reflects a broader collaboration between the two automotive giants, with Toyota holding a small stake in Suzuki.

The decision not to introduce the Across to the Australian market is particularly notable given the RAV4’s dominance there. In 2025, the RAV4 was Toyota’s most popular vehicle in Australia, with 51,947 units sold, easily outpacing competitors like the Mazda CX-5 and Mitsubishi Outlander. Suzuki, by contrast, sold a total of 15,378 vehicles across its entire range in Australia during the same period, with the Jimny SUV accounting for 7,027 of those sales. The Across, could have provided a significant boost to Suzuki’s Australian sales volume.

A spokesperson for Suzuki Australia confirmed that the Across is “strictly a Europe-only model” and will not be offered locally, despite inquiries about its potential to challenge the RAV4’s market leadership. This decision comes as Suzuki Australia currently does not offer a plug-in hybrid (PHEV) vehicle, though it does incorporate mild-hybrid technology in models like the Fronx and Swift.

The Across will occupy the top position in Suzuki’s European lineup, positioned as the brand’s largest and most expensive offering. It’s a five-seat, five-door crossover SUV positioned above the S-Cross and Vitara models. Crucially, the Across will be exclusively available with the RAV4’s plug-in hybrid powertrain.

The introduction of the PHEV version of the Across is strategically aligned with upcoming emissions regulations in Europe and the UK, specifically the Euro 7 standards set to be implemented this November. While the PHEV powertrain will aid Suzuki in meeting these regulations, it is expected to come at a premium price point, making it the most expensive vehicle currently offered under the Suzuki brand.

The outgoing Across model in the UK carried a price tag of £49,679 (approximately $94,968 USD), significantly higher than the starting price of £26,249 ($50,178 USD) for the Suzuki e Vitara electric SUV, which is slated for release in Australia later this year. The e Vitara, built on a platform co-developed by Toyota and Suzuki, will also be sold as a Toyota model in select markets, though not in Australia.

Technically, the 2026 Across and RAV4 share a 2.5-litre four-cylinder plug-in hybrid powertrain. However, while Toyota will offer the RAV4 in both front-wheel drive and all-wheel drive configurations, the Suzuki Across will be exclusively available with all-wheel drive. This powertrain delivers a combined output of 224kW, combining the petrol engine with two electric motors – one on the front axle and one on the rear.

The 22.7kWh lithium-ion battery pack provides both vehicles with a range of 100km (WLTP) on electric power alone. Inside, the Across will largely mirror the RAV4, featuring a 12.9-inch infotainment touchscreen, a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, and a head-up display on higher trim levels.

The practice of model sharing between Toyota and Suzuki is not uncommon. Toyota’s minor stake in Suzuki, just under five percent, facilitates these collaborations. Examples include the Suzuki Fronx, which is sold as the Toyota Urban Cruiser Taisor in India. Toyota also maintains similar arrangements with Subaru and its Daihatsu division, having previously sold the Toyota Camry as the Daihatsu Altis in Japan for over two decades.