Suzuki Fronx should not be confused with Suzuki Fronte.
| Suzuki Fronx | |
| Manufacturer: | Suzuki |
| Production: | 2023–present |
| Assembly: | India: Ahmedabad (Suzuki Motor Gujarat) |
| Designer: | Masahiro Kato, Vidyasagar Gupta, Abhishek Bhasker and Mohammad Arif[1] |
| Class: | Subcompact crossover SUV (B) |
| Body Style: | 5-door SUV |
| Platform: | HEARTECT B platform |
| Drivetrain: | Mild hybrid (1.0 L turbo & K15C 1.5 L) |
The is a subcompact crossover SUV (B-segment)[2] produced by the Japanese manufacturer Suzuki through its Indian subsidiary Maruti Suzuki since 2023. It is based on the Baleno hatchback, and positioned below the Brezza.[3] [4]
Presented in January 2023 at the Auto Expo in India, the Fronx for the Indian market is exclusively available at the Nexa dealership chain reserved for high-end Maruti Suzuki models. It is Suzuki's second model in the sub-4 metre SUV segment in India after the Brezza, and occupies the lower bracket of India's sub-4 metre tax structure due to its smaller engine.[5]
According to a development manager of the Fronx, the vehicle was conceived from the idea to create an SUV that is widely accepted by the market while using existing resources, which is the Baleno platform. The development process included ideas such as making the tailgate more upright to emphasize the interior space, but the company chose to embrace a coupe-style rear with a tilted tailgate.[6]
Compared to the Baleno, the bonnet has been heightened, the body panels reshaped, and the rear pillars are tilted forward. It has a 308-litre boot, 10 litres smaller than the Baleno due to a slightly raised loading floor.[7] The ground clearance is also raised by to, a result of a modified suspension and larger 195/60 R16 tyres. Maruti Suzuki claims it had spent 9 billion rupees in the development of the Fronx.[8]
The Fronx has been exported from India since July 2023. Planned export markets include the Middle East, Latin America, Africa, Australia and Japan. For export markets, the 1.5-litre K15C four-cylinder engine with the Smart Hybrid system is available.[9]
A rebadged Fronx called the Toyota Urban Cruiser Taisor was unveiled in India on 3 April 2024. It receives a different grille design similar to the facelifted Toyota Rumion with different headlights and taillights. In India, it is offered in E, S, S+, G and V.[10] The latter three are powered by the 1.2-litre petrol engine, while the G and V use the 1.0-litre petrol engine and the E grade uses both petrol and CNG engine.[11]
In the Indian market, the Fronx is offered in five variants: Sigma, Delta, Delta+, Zeta and Alpha. The latter three are powered by the 1.0-litre turbocharged mild hybrid petrol engine, while Sigma, Delta, and Delta+ uses the 1.2-litre petrol engine.[12]
The Fronx was unveiled in the GCC markets on 16 July 2023. It is powered by the 1.5-litre K15C mild hybrid petrol engine and it is offered in GL and GLX grade levels.
The Fronx was launched in South Africa on 15 August 2023, with two trim levels: GL and GLX; it is powered by the 1.5-litre K15B petrol engine paired to either a 5-speed manual or 4-speed automatic.[13]
The Japanese market Fronx was introduced in July 2024. Imported from India, the model comes with several changes and additions compared to the Indian model such as an advanced driver-assistance system, electronic parking brake, four-wheel drive option, and interior colour scheme alterations. It is powered by the 1.5-litre K15C mild hybrid petrol engine.[14]
The Fronx is powered by a 1.0-litre, 3-cylinder K10C Boosterjet turbocharged petrol engine rated at, with a 48V mild hybrid system. This engine option is available with a 5-speed manual and a 6-speed Aisin torque converter automatic transmission. Another engine option is the less expensive 1.2-litre K12N Dualjet petrol engine rated at, mated to a 5-speed manual or a 5-speed automated manual gearbox.
| Type | Engine code[15] | Displacement | Power | Torque | Electric motor | Battery | Transmission | Layout | Calendar years |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Petrol | K12N Dualjet | 11971NaN1 I4 | 660NaN0 @ 6,000 rpm | @ 4,400 rpm | - | - | FWD | 2023–present | |
| Petrol/CNG | K12N Dualjet[16] | 11971NaN1 I4 | Petrol: 660NaN0 @ 6,000 rpm----CNG: 570NaN0 @ 6,000 rpm | Petrol: @ 4,400 rpm----CNG: @ 4,300 rpm | - | - | 5-speed manual | FWD | 2023–present (India only) |
| Petrol mild hybrid | K10C Boosterjet | 9981NaN1 turbocharged I3 | 73.60NaN0 @ 5,500 rpm | @ 2,000–4,500 rpm | ISG | Lithium-ion | FWD | 2023–present | |
| Petrol | K15B[17] | 14621NaN1 I4 | 770NaN0 @ 6,000 rpm | @ 4,400 rpm | - | - | FWD | 2023–present (except India) | |
| Petrol mild hybrid | K15C | 14621NaN1 I4 | 760NaN0 @ 6,000 rpm | @ 4,400 rpm | ISG | Lithium-ion | FWD | 2023–present (except India) | |
| AWD | 2024–present (Japan) |
| 2023 | 94,393[19] | 384 |