Auto’s 2023 Best Test Suzuki Fronx is back for a term
Three years ago, Suzuki’s humble little coupe SUV Fronx pulled off a major coup when it won Auto’s Best Test 2023. No mean feat, that. Our Car of the Year for 2023, so to say. Which meant it impressed us more than over eighty other cars, bakkies and SUVs did through that 2022 road testing year.
Some were surprised. But the Fronx impressed us hugely when we drove it. One of several clever Suzukis to be launched that year, it’s also another good example why this little automaker is killing on the South African new car market. So when we discussed our term testing plans with Suzuki SA for 2026 and they proposed a Fronx for a live-in test, well it was easy to immediately answer yeah, sure!
So here he is. Meet the Silver Fronx! Subtly silver blue, just a week later, it never took too long at all to reinforce those very good reasons why Suzuki is today the major force it is in the South African new car market. It’s all down to great product. At the right price. And at the right time. Of which our Silver Fronx is a shining example.
The Silver Fronx. Our Frontier Crossover
Jumping on the mushrooming coupé SUV bandwagon, and Suzuki’s first of that kind, standout Fronx still looks quite the part. It’s kind of a mini Honda HR-V. Which is a good thing. Just that Honda must wish that it sold HR-Vs like Suzuki sells this. The Fronx of course has that advantage of price. It’s sharp as a tack.
Before we get too far, lets remind you that the Fronx name is derived from Frontier. Something Suzuki reckons it crosses. And X is for crossover. Fronx shares Suzuki’s design DNA with the Grand Vitara and Baleno. It blends your Suzuki grille with dual-layer DRL headlamps, 16” face-polished alloys in bold wheelarches and a swooping roofline.
Talking about that coupe-like roof, it sports both rails and a tailgate spoiler as well as a shark fin antenna on top. Add front, side, and rear skid plate garnish at the bottom. The derriere is particularly pleasing with almost zero overhang and a full width LED taillight bar. Completes a cocky stance.
Comfy and spacious Suzuki style
With an SUV like 170 mm ground clearance at just under four metres long and 1.76 m tall, riding on a 2.52 m wheelbase, Fronx sits five adults at ease. The 304 litre boot has a full-sized 16” spare wheel and 195/60 tyre under it and grows to 605 litres with the 60:40 split rear bench seat stowed.
Step into the spacious silver and brown faux leather trimmed cabin to find a cheeky, seamlessly-linking and fully understandable 9” CarPlay, Auto and Bluetooth central infotainment system. It includes a really cool 360-degree composite camera reversing video and is supported by wireless phone charging and a 12V charging socket up front. And dual rear USB charging points.
Controlled in part by the leather-clad height and reach adjustable multi-function electric power steering wheel, Fronx has colour information screen instrumentation and heads-up display. There are power windows all round, central locking, auto climate control, rear-seat ventilation, and an armrest centre console box. All for just that side of three hundred and fifty grand.
Perky, economical. And it’s a real auto too
Suzuki’s perky and fuel-efficient 77 kW 138 Nm 1.5 litre four-cylinder K15B petrol engine and lightweight kerb mass endow it with an impressive power-to-weight ratio. The Silver Fronx differs to the Best Test unit in that it has a four-speed slush box automatic. And surprisingly not a CVT in place of Best’s five-speed manual.
Driving the front axle, there’s no drone and output is direct. But there’s a little aspect that’s probably going to get out goat. More on that anon. Our Fronx also delivered a pleasing set of performance test results. Slightly off the manual as expected, it’s more than quick enough. And super frugal too, at ever slightly above the claimed figure so far.
A cheerful car to drive, Fronx impressed in every driving respect. It sounds good, if a touch rorty, feels good and is quiet and confident on the road. Push it and it’s agile and pleasingly dynamic, too. Much to do with Suzuki’s lightweight Heartect platform, MacPherson-strut front and torsion beam rear ends, with rack-and-pinion steering.
Fronx. Another great reason to be cheerful
We have more than enough time in store with the Silver Fronx, so no need to get too carried away with detail for now. Suffice to say that it’s a very good reason to be cheerful. Yes, there are some aspects we can see we will fuss about, And a little elephant we’ll get to in the room.
But for starters, Fronx is a great example of why a great variety of small Suzukis are proving super successful in this marketplace. Now we look forward to learning more, why. So here’s to a great few months with the Silver Fronx. Bring them on! – Michele Lupini
Images & testing: Giordano Lupini
LONG TERM INTRODUCTION: Suzuki Fronx 1.5 GLE auto
77 kW 138 Nm 1.5 litre petrol
4-speed automatic FWD
Odo on arrival: 11750 km
Odo now: 12500 km
Actual Fuel Consumption: 6 l/100 km
TESTED:
0-60 km/h: 4.48 sec
0-100 km/h: 10.34 sec
0-120 km/h: 15.08 sec
400m: 17.4 sec @ 129 km/h
80-120 km/h: 7.78 sec
CLAIMED:
VMax: 170 km/h
Fuel: 5.7 l/100 km
CO2: 129 g/km
Range: 650 km
Warranty/Service: 5y 200K/4y 60K km
LIST PRICE: R369K
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