VS
At a Glance
Power
85 kW
76 kW
Torque
250 Nm
137 Nm
Fuel
5.3 l/100km
5.3 l/100km
0-100 km/h
13.1 s
—
Engine
1493 cc
1462 cc
Choosing between the Kia Carens and the Suzuki Across is one of the most common decisions South African car buyers face. The Kia Carens delivers 85 kW while the Suzuki Across produces 76 kW. On fuel, the Carens returns 5.3 l/100km while the Across uses 5.3 l/100km — important in a market where fuel prices change monthly. Pricing starts at R459 995 for the Carens and R464 900 for the Across. Both vehicles have their merits. The right choice depends on your priorities: fuel economy, performance, towing ability, safety features or total cost of ownership. This comparison covers every specification available so you can make an informed decision.
Performance
Power Output
85 kW
76 kW
Torque
250 Nm
137 Nm
0-100 kph
13.1 s
—
Top Speed
170 Km/h
—
Engine & Drivetrain
Engine Capacity
1493 cc
1462 cc
Engine Layout
inline
inline
Cylinders
4
4
Fuel Type
diesel
petrol
Forced Induction Device
turbocharger
—
Transmission
automatic
automatic
Number of Gears
6
6
Drive Wheels
front
front
Fuel Economy
Fuel Consumption Average
5.3 l/100km
5.3 l/100km
Fuel Tank Capacity
45 l
45 l
CO2 Emissions
139 g/km
121 g/km
Dimensions
Length
4550 mm
4360 mm
Width
1800 mm
1795 mm
Height
1734 mm
1655 mm
Wheelbase
2780 mm
2600 mm
Ground Clearance
180 mm
210 mm
Kerb Weight
1488 Kg
1200 / 1250 Kg
Doors
5
5
Seats
7
5
Load Volume
—
333 l
Safety
ABS
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
EBD
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Brake Assist
—
✓ Standard
Stability Control
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Traction Control
—
✓ Standard
Airbag Count
6
6
Driver Airbag
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Passenger Airbag
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Side Airbags Front
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Curtain Airbags
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Features & Tech
Air Conditioning
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Climate Control
—
✓ Standard
Cruise Control
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Adaptive Cruise Control
—
✓ Standard
Bluetooth
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Reversing Camera
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Park Distance Rear
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Park Distance Front
—
✓ Standard
Sunroof
—
✓ Standard
Keyless Entry
—
✓ Standard
Alloy Wheels
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Warranty & Service
Warranty Period
5
5
Warranty Distance
unlimited Km
200000 Km
Service Plan
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Service Plan Years
3
4
Service Plan Distance
45000
60000
Service Intervals
15000
15000
The Verdict
Which Wins?
Overall Winner
Kia Carens
3 / 4 categories
Performance
Carens
Fuel Economy
Tied
Value
Carens
Practicality
Carens
Pros & Cons
Kia Carens
More powerful engine (85 kW)
Lower starting price (R459 995)
Few notable weaknesses
Suzuki Across
Well-rounded specification
Less power than rival (76 kW vs 85 kW)
Higher starting price
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is more fuel efficient, the Carens or Across?
The Carens uses 5.3 l/100km and the Across uses 5.3 l/100km on the combined cycle. The Across is the more fuel-efficient choice. In South African conditions with a mix of highway and urban driving, real-world figures will be slightly higher.
Which has more power, the Carens or Across?
The Carens produces 85 kW and 250 Nm of torque while the Across delivers 76 kW and 137 Nm of torque. The Carens is the more powerful option.
What is the price difference between the Carens and Across?
The Carens starts from R459 995 and the Across from R464 900. The Carens is cheaper by R4 905 at this variant level. Final on-the-road pricing varies by dealer and specification.
Should I buy the Carens or the Across?
It depends on your priorities. If fuel economy matters most, check the L/100km figures above. If you need towing capacity, compare the towing ratings. For day-to-day South African driving - load shedding runs, potholed roads, school runs and highway commutes - consider ground clearance, service network coverage, and total cost of ownership including insurance and maintenance. Use the spec tables above to compare every detail before making your decision.