With a highly contested segment, manufacturers felt the need to up their game when it comes to value for money; the Suzuki Fronx is a testament to this. It might have a silly name, but that's where the silliness ends because it's rather good. The model on the test was the GLX model, and the value for money is exceptional.
Fun fact: Suzuki Fronx is the combination of the word Frontier and the 'X' from crossover.
Exterior
The exterior shares many characteristics with the Suzuki Vitara. From the front, they look similar - with their modern body design and futuristic look that catches your eyes and grabs attention wherever you go, the Fronx has a certain sense of 'belonging.' Starting at the rear, you get LED tail lights joined by a full-width Cyclops light.
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The front has a split headlight design, with daytime running lights separate from the main headlights. Mated onto the HEARTECT B platform (same as the Baleno and Swift), it is clearly a combination that works. In my opinion, it is one of the best-looking crossovers out there at the moment.
Sitting atop 16-inch alloy wheels enhances the look of the car exponentially. Slightly thicker wheels would have added more dominance to the overall look of the car, I quite like the black trim around the wheel arches, skirts, rear and front bumper; it makes it look sporty and fun. It has roof rails that are installed for cosmetic reasons and could do without, especially as it could be more useful. The Fronx comes in several colour options too; I like it in white and blue. The GL comes with black alloys, and I, for one, love black wheels.
Interior
When it comes to the interior, you can see the similarities between the Suzuki Fronx and other variants like the Baleno but with a few additional finishes here and there (like the pleather covering the steering wheel and the infotainment system). And that is part of the reason why they can sell it at such an affordable price as they don't need to re-engineer certain components. However, that being said, I do think they need to add a few different amenities in the interior, it seems a bit repetitive as the Baleno and most Suzuki models share the same interior.
It feels and presents itself as luxurious, like something from a premium brand. There was minimal external and engine noise apart from the unavoidable tyre noise. The finishes were refined. I feel there should be different trim options for people who prefer different colours; not a fan of the brown, but that's more a personal thing.
With Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, the infotainment system is decent quality and easy to use and navigate. When it comes to additional interior features, you get a rear-view mirror that dims itself at the sight of a BWM driver's lights. It also features a 9-inch display compared to the 7-inch in the GL model. There are ambient lights at the footwell, glovebox and courtesy lamps in the front doors, and that’s a nice touch.
With a heads-up display and wireless charging also on offer in the range-topping GLX, it does make you wonder how they are selling it at such an affordable price. When it comes to practicality, the boot is 304 litres, which isn't the largest in the segment, but for the value you are receiving - I think that's a small trade-off.
Drivability and Engine
The beating heart is a 1,5-litre K15B N/A petrol engine. With 77 kW and 138 Nm, it has enough to get up and go where you need to be. For those who know anything about engines, these engines are known for being incredibly reliable and dependable. The powertrain offers smooth delivery, the ride is a combination of comfort, elegance, and sophistication. The suspension is MacPherson-strut front suspension and a rear torsion beam, which is a good choice in my opinion as it isn't too firm nor too soft. In my testing, mainly in the city and in traffic jams, I found the Fronx to provide a pleasant experience too; it was comfortable, and with the A/C set just so, it was a nice place to be for the duration of my trip.
Additional Mentions
There was a button on the tailgate right next to the boot release button that didn't seem to do anything. There is a front camera for parking or tight spaces that helps if you struggle with judging spaces. The HUD has multiple screens that you can scroll through that display many different things. I must say that the HUD can be quite distracting as it comes out of the dashboard and is not displayed directly on the windshield.
OvSuzuki erall
The Suzuki Fronx has loads to offer when it comes to being a family vehicle. With 6 airbags, it will keep you and the family safe, and all will be well. In my opinion, the value for money that Fronx offers is beyond most crossovers in the segment, and if you have approximately R 330 000, get one.
Lu-Allen Kruger
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