From Brezza to brilliant: The Suzuki Fronx is sure to make its opponents frown.
What is the Suzuki Fronx?
Its name is unusual, but the Suzuki Fronx small crossover may just be the biggest automotive surprise in the car market. Replacing the Suzuki Brezza and slotting in below the new Grand Vitara, the 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
… so 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.
Thanks to extensive use of ultra-high-strength steel, Suzuki managed to trim the entry-level GL trim’s weight to only 1 005kg, while even the top-spec GLX automatic tips the scales at a featherweight 1 015kg.
So, while the little engine’s outputs of 77kW and 138Nm 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/100km with the manual gearbox or 5.7 litres/100km with the automatic. of the rev range.
2. 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 skilful driver with some real driving enjoyment.
3. Surprising refinement
Don’t think that this sporty demeanour 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.
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 colour 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 with pricing starting from E305 075.
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.
*Additional information sourced from allthingsmotoringinternational.com.
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