SUZUKI FRONX

Suzuki is no stranger to charting new frontiers and bringing next-generation affordable motoring to market. They did it with the extremely popular Jimny off-roader, the Baleno compact hatchback, and several others. Now, the Japanese brand comes to market with a new contender that, its quirky name aside, will undoubtedly shake up the lower end of the compact crossover segment.

What’s in a name? According to Suzuki, who just launched its latest compact stunner in South Africa, quite a lot rides on the meaning behind their vehicle names. In the case of the new Suzuki Fronx, the name is an amalgamation of the word ‘frontier’ that heralds a new segment for the brand, and the letter ‘X’, showing that this new segment crosses over between a coupé and an SUV.

At first glance, the Fronx’s attractive design belies its inexpensive status. It looks more expensive than it is, by far, and this combination of style, affordability, and, as it turns out, capability, is very much its superpower.

NOT THE CHEAP SEATS

Besides its contemporary exterior, the Fronx cabin is neatly laid out, with a sense of quality beyond its price tag. While not a luxury car, materials used throughout the cabin put it in a comfort bracket alongside many more expensive rivals. Leather trim is swapped for durable plastics, but nothing feels gaudy or sparse. On the contrary, if you’re considering a smaller competitor with significantly less style than the Fronx offers, it will be foolish not to have a gander at the Fronx first.

There are four Fronx derivatives in two trim levels. The manual 1.5 GL version fires the first salvo at R279,900, with a four-speed torque converter automatic nudging the price upwards to R299,900. This is an important price band in the South African context, placing the GL-specced Fronx models below most market rivals, including comparable Hyundai Venue, Kia Sonet, Nissan Magnite, and Renault Kiger models.

GL cars offer a host of standard equipment, including 16″ alloy wheels, auto-on LED headlamps, taillamps and DRLs, a 7″ touchscreen infotainment system with reverse camera and wireless Apple CarPlay, as well as automatic climate control and cruise control. Safety systems include ABS, EBD, BAS, ESP, and dual front airbags. There is also a leather-covered steering wheel, air vents in the rear, hill-hold assistance, load-bearing roof rails and, in a segment first for entry-level cars, dual-tone colour options.

As expected, GLX versions are slightly more expensive (1.5 GLX manual is R315,900, with R335,900 for the auto) but offer excellent value with an upgraded interior proposition. Here, the infotainment system grows to a 9″ high-definition touchscreen while a 4.2″ info-display cluster also comes into play. Wireless smartphone charging, a head-up display, and a 360-view camera system join the standard spec list.

Although also 16” alloys, GLX wheels are polished silver instead of black (which we prefer) and are matched with silver roof rails. Keyless entry with push-button start also comes onboard, as does interior courtesy lighting, six airbags (with front, side, and curtain), an auto-dimming rearview mirror, and two additional USB ports in the rear.

REV IT UP

Suzuki’s familiar naturally aspirated 1.5-litre four-cylinder engine does duty in all four models. With 77 kW and 138 Nm on tap, the Fronx again beats most rivals with the free-revving punchiness inherent to this acclaimed Suzuki powerplant. 

Although I prefer the manual Fronx to its automatic stablemate, the latter is bound to find favour with a growing number of buyers. The auto ‘box also feels as if Suzuki engineers have spent some time improving the auto ‘box calibration somewhat, improving its ability to cruise in lower revs at higher speeds. This also bodes well for fuel consumption figures, with the automatic scoring a respectable 5.7 l/100 km, while the manual Fronx returns a claimed 5.5 l/100 km.

LAST WORD

Suzuki’s meteoric rise in the sales charts proves its value to the local car market. With the new Fronx in its stable – a car that should cost at least R50,000 more than it does – it’s hard to imagine that Suzuki won’t siphon a few new customers from other brands, ultimately growing their market share even more.

Report by BERNIE HELLBERG JR | Images © SUZUKI AUTO SOUTH AFRICA