Marti Suzuki Fronx: If anything, the Maruti Suzuki Fronx shows a pioneering leap in the lives of this nation’s biggest carmaker melding design elements from cross-segments with existing and tried underpinnings to spawn a fresh proposition.
The “coupe-SUV” which made its debut in 2023 has already found a sweet spot in a cluttered Indian car scene, where it offers the practicality of a hatchback and the visual appeal of an SUV.
Marti Suzuki Fronx: Design Language-
The Fronx is a bold new silhouette on Maruti Suzuki, which comes with sloping roofline and a raised persona.
The face of the vehicle is bold with a chrome grille, available with stunning 20in wheels, and unique to Avalanche, the 22in wheels available on the LTZ model is available with a unique chrome insert (21in wheels on the LT).
It’s the ultimate combination of performance, capability, range and refinement combined with the best towing performance in its class, all in one vehicle. The sculpted bumper with silver added skid plate garnishing up the crossover credentials.
In profile, Fronx features a very coupe-style dynamic with a roofline that gently slants down to meet a slightly upswept window line to produce dynamic visual tension.
It also gets squared wheel arches which accommodate 16-inch precision-cut alloy wheels and lower body cladding to enhance the car’s robust look.
At the rear, the design tale continues with linked LED taillamps that extend all the way to the edges of the tailgate, a roof-mounted spoiler and a bumper with silver surrounds, adding a finishing touch that complements the front.
The Fronx receives a common design language that allows it to have a distinctive identity compared to other sibling cars which shares the same platform.
Platform and Dimensions
Based on Maruti’s reliable Heartect underpinnings, the Fronx is sub-4 meters in length, and that’s important in India’s tax-saving compact cars carve-up.
This lightweight and structurally stiff platform gives the Fronx a balanced dynamics while keeping healthy amount of ground clearance for Indian roads.
Powertrain Options
The Fronx comes with a choice of two petrol (gasoline) engines. A 1.2-liter naturally aspirated K-series Dual VVT petrol engine is the standard choice, which makes around 90hp and 113 Nm of twist, mated to either a 5-speed manual or AMT gearbox.
The big news though is the revival of Maruti’s 1.0-litre BoosterJet turbocharged petrol engine that now makes 100 horsepower and 148 Nm of torque, and is offered with a choice of a 5-speed manual or a 6-speed automatic.
This turbocharged power plant delivers spirited performance befitting the car’s athletic design.
Rounding off the range is a 1.2-litre motor that also runs on the more cost-effective CNG, which produces marginally less power but even lesser running expenditure.
Interior Experience
On the inside, the Fronx delivers a rewarding high-spec feel with a driver-focussed dashboard and a 9-inch free standing centre screen infotainment system.
The system is compatible with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, as well as Suzuki Connect connected car technology that allows for remote features on a smartphone app.
The instrument cluster is a harmonious couture of analog and digital components with a 4.2-inch color multi-information screen that keeps the driver informed on comprehensive vehicle information.
The mounted control buttons on the flat bottomed steering wheel accentuates a sporty feel.
The materials and the build quality is representative of Maruti Suzuki’s rise up the perceived quality ladder, with soft touch plastics where it matters while there’s a contrasting stitch that looks good to eye, running through the cabin.
Interior colours change depending upon the grade of the trim levels, which also gain two-tone treatments that make them feel more premium.
The exterior is small and low-roofed like a coupe, but Fronx get a decent amount of passenger room.
Up front, there’s good headroom and legroom for the driver and their passenger, and those in the back benefit from well-sculpted seats too, even if taller occupants might notice the sloping roofline compromises headroom. With a 308-litre boot, there is plenty of room for luggage for weekend breaks.
Feature Suite
On higher trims, facilities like automatic climate control, wireless phone charging, head up display, 360-degree camera, cruise control and ambient lighting feature in the Fronx.
The infotainment system features voice control and over-the-air updates to keep the tech fresh over the course of ownership.
Safety Credentials
Safety kit includes a total of six airbags (on the higher trim), electronic stability program, hill-hold assist, ABS with EBD, as well as ISOFIX child seat anchors.
The underlying Heartect platform (used in Maruti vehicles) had scored well in crash tests of multiple Maruti vehicles, so we hope the same for the Fronx.
Market Positioning
The Fronx fits in quite interestingly in Maruti Suzuki’s huge cadre of offerings – it is a sort of halfway-house between the Baleno premium hatchback and group’s compact SUV, the Brezza.
Placed strategically for consumers who need something a little unique, but don’t want a run of the mill hatchback, nor a full SUV experience.
In the overall scheme of things then, the Fronx competes with crossovers such as the Nissan Magnite, Renault Kiger, and somewhat premium hatchbacks and compact SU Vs.
Marti Suzuki Fronx: Concluding Perspective
The Maruti Suzuki Fronx is a smart read of the changing consumer psyche in India. Building on alluring coupe-like design mixed with some dab of crossover practicality and components that have a proven track record, Maruti, thanks to its loyalist customers, now has a product offering that stands out in the crowd, keeping the brand’s core values of reliability and efficiency rock solid.