Suzuki Fronx review finds a solid performer
The Suzuki Fronx hybrid SUV doesn’t set new technical benchmarks, but it will please thrifty buyers
The new Suzuki Fronx hybrid compact SUV has arrived in showrooms at a time when Australians are embracing the technology like never before.
After a wave of electric excitement, things aren’t looking so swell for the pure battery-powered genre.
Hybrids on the other hand are proving more popular than strawberry sundaes at the Ekka. They account for more than 15 per cent of the total market, while plug-in hybrids are also on the increase.
An ace up the Fronx sleeve is price. Most of the hybrids are pushing into the $40k-plus bracket, whereas the new Suzuki is $30,990 drive-away.
That significantly undercuts the Toyota Corolla Cross GX hybrid ($40,846 drive-away), Hyundai Kona Hybrid ($40,190 drive-away) and even the MG ZS Excite Hybrid+ ($32,990 drive-away).
What do you get?
Given the price it’s not surprising there is liberal use of plastics in some areas, but the faux leather seat trim and the shiny dash surfaces raise the ambience.
Other nice kit includes a 9-inch touchscreen, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, heated front seats, head-up display, keyless start, wireless phone charger, satnav and a four-speaker stereo.
Warranty coverage meets the industry standard of five years and unlimited kilometres,
Servicing costs are at the midpoint of the scale, with the capped-price ranging between $319 and $579 for the first five dealer-service visits.
The total would be $1915 with annual or 15,000km intervals – that sits in the middle ground compared to the Corolla Cross at $1275 and the Kona Hybrid at $2639 on the same schedule.
White is the only external colour which is complimentary. Premium options of grey, blue and black are $690 extra, while the two-tone versions that combine silver, red or orange with black add $1190.
How was the drive?
Buyers of compact hybrids are chasing frugal machines, and the Fronx is miserly when it comes to running costs.
Running on standard unleaded, $20 filled about half of the 37L tank.
Our fuel consumption over a week returned an average of 5.5L/100km with a combination of highway, metropolitan and easy rural drives. That’s slightly higher than the official figure from Suzuki.
For comparison, our recent test in the Kona saw 4.6L/100km (3.9 claim), the Corolla Cross managed 4.8L (4.2 claim) and 5.2L/100km in the ZS (4.7 claim).
Quarter-mile records are well and truly safe. The Fronx delivers consistent and reliable performance, just don’t expect anything rapid or excitement-inducing. It’s conservative in all aspects, but it feels typically Suzuki in terms of solid build and on-road confidence.
Sitting just under 3000rpm at 110km/h, things can get rowdy as you push up into the rev range.
Steep inclines can be challenging and the Fronx requires some right foot motivation to maintain pace – steering wheel-mounted paddles are useful to take manual control of the six-speed automatic gearbox.
The sport button can be a placebo as it holds the gears higher into the rev range and feels anything but athletic.
Like most hybrids, the Fronx does its best work in traffic. Its nimble and compact dimensions make tight carparks a breeze.
The turning circle of less than 10m converts usual three-point turns into U-bolts.
Unlike some of the other hybrids Suzuki employs a 12V mild-hybrid system with a small lithium-ion battery.
So it can’t run purely on battery power, the battery acts more as assistant and gains its energy from regeneration via braking and coasting.
Those in the back seat will find reasonable head and leg room for adults, but it best suits two. Three would be a squeeze.
Would you buy one?
Kel: Our test car was in the two-tone with orange … that wouldn’t be my first choice. The Fronx was user friendly and our family has had a reliable history with Suzuki courtesy of the Swift. I did feel not a great deal had changed with the Fronx operationally, and the limited boot space meant gear often spilt into the back seat while it also couldn’t handle all 10 bags for our weekly grocery shop. I’m looking forward to the new Vitara which is coming soon and more my preferred size.
Grant: Across the key performance indicators the Fronx remained good, but never pushed above and beyond. Some may be tempted to cross-shop it against the cheaper Chery Tiggo 4 or Mahindra XUV 3XO, but they’re not hybrids, and Suzuki is a trusted name plate with runs on the board. Anyone chasing a solid performer with low running costs and a solid features list will find the Fronx won’t let them down.
