From Brezza to brilliant: The new Suzuki Fronx is sure to make its opponents frown.
What is the Suzuki Fronx?
Its name is unusual, but the new Suzuki Fronx small crossover may just be the biggest automotive surprise of 2023. Replacing the Suzuki Brezza and slotting in below the new Grand Vitara, the new Suzuki Fronx presents a hugely appealing blend of practicality, value for money, and a genuinely fun-to-drive character, wrapped in a stylish and contemporary body and representing excellent value for money
With main opponents including the Hyundai Venue, Kia Sonet, Renault Kiger, and Nissan Magnite, the Suzuki Fronx crossover competes in a crowded and popular market segment. But it’s very different from any of these alternatives on most fron(x)ts, set apart from the herd by being great to drive, and looking rather more upmarket than its positioning would suggest. It is less expensive than those opponents, and has more standard comfort- and convenience features, too.
Built according to the established compact crossover recipe, there’s nothing particularly unusual about the Fronx’s on-paper specifications. It has four comfortable seats (five, if those occupants are of average size or smaller) and a practical luggage volume of at least 304 litres, along with a comprehensive standard specification sheet and elevated ride height
Derived from the same Suzuki “HEARTECT B” platform as the Swift and Baleno, the Fronx is designed to slot into the Indian-market “4-metre” class, which attracts much lower road tax penalties in its home country. But, unlike the Brezza which came before it, the Fronx is a genuinely good-looking car, with none of the abrupt, angular styling cues which gave its predecessor some rather ungainly proportions.
Why is it so impressive?
1. Surprisingly lively performance and great economy
With the only power unit on offer being a 1.5-litre, non-turbo four-cylinder petrol engine, it’s easy to imagine that the Fronx would be a bit on the slow side. But, thanks to extensive use of ultra-high-strength steel, Suzuki managed to trim the entry-level GL trim’s weight to only 1005 kg, while even the top-spec GLX automatic tips the scales at a featherweight 1015 kg.
So, while the little engine’s outputs of 77 kW and 138 Nm are quite modest on paper, it shunts the small crossover around with some gusto in the real world. It helps that the engine has a wide torque spread, too - it doesn’t have a massive amount of twist on tap, but it offers most of what it has over most of the rev range.
This engine is mated with a five-speed manual gearbox as standard, with the automatic option being a four-speed torque converter unit. The latter seems antiquated by modern standards, but it works well enough in most driving conditions, and is thankfully not an automated manual as is offered in some other markets.
Combine the flexible engine with well-chosen gear ratios, especially in manual form, and the result is a car that is both nippy out of the blocks and around town, and long-legged and relaxed on the freeway. Frugality is almost guaranteed as well, with a claimed average fuel consumption of only 5.5 litres/100 km with the manual gearbox or 5.7 litres/100 km with the automatic.
2. It’s genuinely good to drive
Most budget-minded vehicles are good enough on the road to get the job done, but very few are any fun on a twisty road. The Suzuki Fronx bucks this trend, thanks to direct and linear steering, loads of road grip, tight body control, and a neutral handling balance. As a result, it can scythe around corners with an eagerness that is completely absent in most of its opponents, and rewards a skillful driver with some real driving enjoyment.
The driver’s interface points are very well-judged as well, with a smooth clutch take-up, pleasingly accurate gearshift with a shortish throw, and progressive braking responses. All these factors combine to give the Fronx an engaging, fun-to-drive character that is quite unlike anything its competitors can offer.
3. Surprising refinement
Don’t think that this sporty demeanor means that the Fronx has a harsh and unyielding ride quality, either. It remains supple over road disturbances both in town and on the freeway, soaks up dirt roads and corrugations without a creak or shudder, and simply shrugs at speed bumps.
Low noise levels augment the cushy ride quality to create a relaxed cabin ambience, making for a companion that is as agreeable over long distances as it is entertaining on winding roads. The seats are well-shaped for comfort as well, but nonetheless still offer decent lateral support in cornering without hampering accessibility. As with most things about the Suzuki Fronx, it’s really the way in which they managed to reconcile all these conflicting needs that set this budget car far above its peers.
4. Loads of standard features
You could truthfully settle for an entry-level Fronx GL and not feel short-changed in the equipment department. Standard highlights include all-LED exterior lighting, automatic climate control with rear-seat vents, 16-inch alloy wheels, a 7-inch color infotainment display with wired smartphone mirroring, a leather-wrapped steering wheel with remote audio controls and rake adjustment, cruise control, remote central locking, power windows all round and electric exterior mirror adjustment, two USB charging ports for the rear seat and a 12V outlet in front, a rear-view camera and rear parking sensors, and a center console storage box incorporating a sliding armrest.
Stepping up to the GLX trim level adds some unusual (for this segment) luxuries, with wireless charging, keyless entry with pushbutton start, a reach-adjustable steering wheel, height-adjustable steering wheel, height adjustment for the driver’s seat, a head-up display, a much more responsive 9-inch infotainment touchscreen, and a surround-view camera all coming standard on the high-spec derivative. Exterior differences on the GLX are most notable for the brightwork along the lower side glass, and polished faces for the otherwise-similar alloy wheels.
The GLX adds side- and curtain airbags to the GL’s two frontal airbags, while stability control, anti-lock brakes (ABS) and rear ISOFIX child seat anchors are standard across the range.
5. Superb value for money
Even when only considering its standard kit, the basic Suzuki Fronx GL is a bargain at its list price of R 279 900. Add its long list of other virtues to the entry-level Fronx’s bargain pricing, and it becomes a stunning value proposition. There simply isn’t anything better currently on offer in the local market for similar money.
The value proposition is further boosted by the inclusion of a warranty for five years or 200 000 km, five years of free roadside assistance, a six-year anti-corrosion warranty, and a service plan for four years or 60 000 km. Opting for the extra goodies you’d get with a Fronx GLX takes the manual version’s price up to R 315 900, and selecting the autobox adds a price premium of R 20 000 to either trim level.
In fact, the Fronx is such a good all-rounder that it suddenly makes its opponents seem shamefully overpriced, underdeveloped, and cynical. It could in fact have been a fair bit more expensive than it is and would still have been a solid choice, so the fact that it’s surprisingly inexpensive merely sweetens a near-irresistible deal.
Martin Pretorius
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