THERE'S nothing particularly racy-looking about the tall, somewhat boxy-shaped Suzuki Across.

In fact, it's very much a typical high-riding SUV, with generic styling and a huge appetite for passengers and their luggage. But just a few miles behind the steering wheel prompt a quick re-think.

With acceleration to 62mph in a mere six seconds, it has an energy lacking in most rivals. That's because as well as a 2.5-litre petrol engine it packs two electric motors which, together with the ICE unit, belt out around 300bhp.

But don't get the Across wrong. Despite the abundance of power, it's very much a practical load-lugger and family runabout with an appetite for cross country trekking but little appetite for fuel.

It has a useful pure electric range of around 46miles after being plugged into a wall charger or even being boosted by a three-pin household plug, and most owners will easily extract 45 miles plus from a gallon of E10.

Suzuki has linked up with Toyota to produce the Across which is, in effect, a Toyota RAV4 despite the big Suzuki ‘S' badge on the grille. The alliance allows the smaller of the two car firms to access a more expensive and lucrative sector previously unavailable to it.

Just a single version of the Across is made and that comes with four-wheel-drive driven by electric motors on both axles giving a total of 302bhp.

While it's near silent and unflustered in electric only mode, the four cylinder engine sounds busy and a little harsh under full acceleration. This is mainly because of the CVT gearbox which allows revs to soar. Nevertheless it's less intrusive than most similar transmissions thanks to the Across's ample reserves of power.

With well shaped electrically controlled seats which are also heated and slim windscreen pillars, it's a comfortable, easy vehicle to drive whether you're pottering or covering long distances.

The ride is quite firm but well damped and body control is good limiting cornering roll when pressing on.

Cabin design is conservative with exception of red stitching on the seats which brighten things up a tad. Switches and controls are solid an give the impression of being appropriately long-lasting and well made.

The new 10.5-inch central touchscreen works well and is easy to use with decent graphics and a logical design. The say nav system is now built in.

There's loads of space and shoulder room up front with ample storage either in the door pockets or in the central box between the seats.

Legroom is plentiful both front and rear. The rear seats split and fold 60-40 to reveal acres of luggage space. When in place, there's 490 litres are cargo room in the boot which is marginally less than a Mazda CX-5.

During real-life driving we returned 47mpg, which though rather different from the official 282mpg is still very frugal for a fast, good-sized SUV with a decent turn of speed.