After driving it for a few weeks and hundreds of kilometres in Delhi and on highways, we can say that the Maruti Suzuki Fronx is built to be a daily companion, not just a weekend experiment. Developed on the Baleno platform, this car stands out – the initial appeal hasn’t worn off, and people still check out its bold stance.
Living with the looks
The design is different from the Baleno. Barring the side profile, the Fronx feels like a new machine. It borrows the imposing face of the Grand Vitara, and the chunky skid plate at the rear ensures it looks muscular.
The elevated ride height – it’s got 190-mm ground clearance, 20 mm more than the Baleno – gives a better view of the road than any hatchback, and it easily rides over potholes and tall speed-breakers.
The cabin is similar to the Baleno, but feels a bit more premium because of the burgundy and black colour scheme. After weeks of use, this combination retains its premium feel, and doesn’t get dirty. The seats are comfortable for long weekend drives, and the lack of body roll – unlike tall SUVs – leads to stable handling on sharp turns.
Performance
I drove the 1.2-litre petrol manual variant, which is quick and fun to drive. Its high seating position and light steering make parking and driving through narrow streets effortless. The claimed fuel efficiency of 21.79 km/litre is achievable – and in the city, my test unit returned 15-17 km/litre; on highways, driving at about 70-80 km/h, it returned 21-22 km/litre.
But the 1.2-litre petrol AGS (automated manual transmission) is a lazy machine. It takes almost half a second to shift gears, and is annoying on highway runs or when you want to suddenly accelerate – like overtaking a truck/bus. In stop-and-go traffic, it’s still manageable. Where it seems better than the manual model is its claimed fuel efficiency of an impressive 22.89 km/litre.
The third choice is the 1.0-litre Boosterjet turbocharged petrol engine, which is amazing if you love driving, and usually go for long, intercity trips. It’s, however, expensive, and while its claimed fuel efficiency is 20.01 km/litre, during my previous stint with this model, it returned 12-14 km/litre.
Is it worth the premium?
The Fronx is Rs 80,000 to Rs 1 lakh more expensive than the corresponding Baleno variant – and both share engine and platforms. It’s also not a true SUV – forget what the salesperson at a Nexa showroom tells you. It’s an urban SUV, and its only SUV advantage is its 190-mm ground clearance. It’s made for those who value higher clearance, striking looks, and a slightly elevated sense of road presence. The Fronx is sculpted, handsome, and suited for the urban jungle.
