2024 Suzuki Fronx
When Suzuki launched its new Fronx in South Africa in August last year, something about the little crossover caught the eye. And it wasn’t just me, because the positive remarks it received – especially regarding the looks – were overwhelming.
Coming back to the motoring game I knew that this Suzuki was one of the cars I had to experience. Had to drive. Why? Because there is something about it that draws you in.
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For example, the crossover’s design. Suzuki brought the coupé SUV body style to the lower end of the pricing spectrum. The crossover boasts a swooping roofline that retreats towards the back, and the pillars are all black.
The roof, too, is finished in black, creating an attractive contrast with the Lucent Orange Pearl Metallic paintwork. And what garnered that proverbial applause is Suzuki endowing even this entry-level GL manual model with the same contrasting paint treatment.
If no one said anything, one could mistake this for the (slightly) more luxurious GLX model.
Going wireless
Kudos to Suzuki for not skimping on anything for its Fronx. Be it in GL or GLX grade, the crossover does not shy away from technology and features, and even boasts a feature or two you’d expect in more expensive vehicles (and even then, it’s absent…).
The Fronx GL’s leather steering wheel sits snugly between your hands, while the controls on the steering wheel is within easy reach. There are several USB ports and a 12V charging socket in the cabin, as well as a 7-inch infotainment system that relays a composite 360-degree video when the reverse gear is engaged.
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A clear nod in the right direction is Suzuki’s decision to adopt wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Connecting your smart device is easy and hassle-free and it’s done without the need for wires.
And the space below the dashboard is clean and clutter-free.
This may seem insignificant and expected, but you do come to appreciate the wireless capabilities when you consider that some R1.0 million vehicles do not have this feature.
Familiar engine
Suzuki opted for its familiar 1.5-litre naturally aspirated engine for application in the Fronx. Of course, the 77kW and 138Nm won’t blast the car off the line, but the mill is reputable and efficient.
During our time, the Fronx returned a commendable 6.8-litres/100km. Though it’s slightly up on the claimed 5.5-litres/100km, the figure is perhaps more representative of real-world conditions. Be it in traffic, cruising through the city, or hitting the open road, the Fronx GL manual failed to sit a foot wrong.
The steering felt light at times, but never to the point of it warranting Gordon Ramsay-levels of critique.
Still, with improved noise, vibration and harshness (NVH) dampening and a low weight of just 1 010kg, the Fronx’s engine is rarely put under strain. And even at 120km/h it does not sound like it’s screaming for mercy.
Conclusion
The one reason I was excited to experience the Fronx was because of the price point at which it entered the market. Priced at R288 900 (March 2024), the Fronx GL Manual is positioned as an attractive, good-looking crossover.
It is not trying to be something it’s not and remains true to its purpose.
And that purpose is to offer the crossover/SUV market an alternative at under R300 000 without foregoing certain luxuries. The interior may not be as funky as the exterior, but it is familiarly Suzuki: straight and to the point, with what you need and a bit extra.
In short, the Fronx GL continues Suzuki’s aim of filling the market with value-for-money vehicles.
The four-model Fronx line-up is offered with a five-year/200 000km mechanical warranty, a four-year/60 000km service plan, a five-year comprehensive roadside assistance plan, and a six-year unlimited km anti-corrosion warranty.
