Maruti Suzuki Fronx Review, Price

If you are visiting a Maruti Suzuki dealership, you should definitely check out the Fronx; you will like it.

Fronx Exterior –

This ‘cross-hatchback’ brings a breath of fresh air to Maruti’s lineup; the Fronx looks completely distinct from the Baleno, which is a great start. As the saying goes, “Well begun is half done,” and this holds true for the Fronx. Apart from the front doors and the side mirrors (which appear to be carried over from the Baleno), it shares practically no other body panels with the hatchback.

Impressions –
The front resembles a scaled-down version of the Grand Vitara, featuring triple-element daytime running lamps and bumper-mounted full-LED headlights. Note that lower variants skip the DRLs and get basic projector headlights instead.

Front Profile –

A large grille and an upright nose give the Fronx a commanding, upright stance. Flared fenders with taut lines add a muscular look, while 16-inch wheels round off the design nicely. Chunky 195/60-section tires are standard across the range, though the lower Delta+ and Zeta variants come with silver alloy wheels.

Maruti Suzuki has been a bit bold with the design here, opting for a roofline that slopes sharply, ending in a raised tail. I quite like how the Fronx looks from the side and the rear three-quarter angle. Details like the roof rails and prominent skid plates really stand out.

Fronx Color Options –

We had the standard deep blue car for testing, and we also spotted a deep red Fronx. With the red, silver, and brown shades, you can opt for a ‘Bluish-Black’ finish on the roof and ORVMs in the top-spec Alpha variant.

At first glance, the Fronx looks more like a scaled-down SUV than a typical cross-hatch—at least in terms of size.

Interior Design –

There are no surprises in the Fronx’s cabin, which can be viewed as both a good and a bad thing. The interior is essentially a copy-paste job from the Baleno; while this makes it highly practical and functional, it also means there is a lack of novelty. Maruti Suzuki has attempted to give the Fronx a distinct identity by incorporating maroon accents instead of the Baleno’s blue highlights, but it feels like a case of too little, too late.

Fronx Driver’s Seat –

The only difference lies in the seating position, as the Fronx offers a higher vantage point. Visibility from the driver’s seat is excellent, and you can easily see the vehicle’s edges. If this is going to be your first car, this factor might just persuade you to choose the Fronx over the Baleno.

Dashboard –

As far as quality is concerned, the Fronx hits the mark. It isn’t extraordinary by any means—there is still quite a bit of hard plastic on the dashboard—but the fit and finish levels are a few notches above those of older Maruti models. Interestingly, the door pads and armrests feature soft leatherette, yet the seats are upholstered in fabric. You can add leatherette seat covers as an accessory, but we feel they should have been included in the package given the price.

Fronx Rear Seat –

At the rear, the combination of a high seating position and a low window line ensures a fantastic view of the outside. However, the view forward is obstructed by the XL-sized headrests. Furthermore, despite the Fronx offering a generous amount of ‘actual’ space, there is a lack of an airy, spacious ‘feeling’ inside; this is largely due to the black-and-maroon color scheme.

There is enough room for a six-foot-tall person to sit comfortably behind their own driving position. While there is no shortage of footroom, headroom is compromised due to the sloping roofline. In fact, over sharp bumps, passengers taller than six feet might hit their heads against the roof. The solution, of course, is to sit further forward on the seat—though this involves a clear trade-off regarding knee room.

Rear Seat Comfort –

Seating three abreast is possible, but it will be a tight squeeze. If you have full-sized adults in your family, consider this a four-seater. You can certainly accommodate three people on occasion; the middle passenger will appreciate the inclusion of a headrest and a proper three-point seatbelt—the only notable addition over the Baleno. However, you will miss having a central armrest and cup holders.

Fronx Features –

Maruti has focused on the essentials for the Fronx. Highlights include a head-up display, a 360° camera, and a wireless charger. Other features—such as cruise control, an auto-dimming IRVM, a nine-inch touchscreen, climate control, and rear AC vents—are standard for the segment. Wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay are also included.

In comparison, Hyundai and Kia have outdone Maruti here; the Venue and Sonet offer features like ventilated front seats, a powered driver’s seat, and a branded Bose sound system. While these omissions might not raise eyebrows, the absence of a sunroof certainly will.

Important features like a rear defogger, 60:40 split seats, adjustable headrests, four power windows, and climate control are offered as standard. The Delta variant (one step above the base model) adds more utility with features like electrically adjustable ORVMs, steering-mounted audio controls, and a seven-inch touchscreen.
While the Fronx leaves a little more to be desired, it ensures that your core needs are met.

Fronx Safety –

The safety kit includes dual airbags, ABS with EBD, Electronic Stability Control, and Hill Assist as standard features. The top two trim levels get additional side and curtain airbags, bringing the total count to six. It is worth noting that the Fronx is based on Suzuki’s Heartect platform, which has consistently received average ratings in crash tests conducted by Global NCAP.

Fronx Performance –

Suzuki’s 1.0-litre turbocharged Boosterjet engine makes a comeback with the Fronx. We have previously experienced this engine in the Baleno RS; this time, mild-hybrid technology has been incorporated to enhance fuel efficiency.

Fronx Engine Options –

The second option is Maruti Suzuki’s tried-and-tested 1.2-litre engine, which is also available in several other vehicles. Unlike Hyundai-Kia—where you are often forced to buy the turbo version if you simply want an automatic—Maruti Suzuki offers a two-pedal option with both engines: a 5-speed AMT for the non-turbo variant and a 6-speed automatic for the turbocharged engine.

Our initial impression from driving it is that the three-cylinder engine feels a bit strained, especially when compared to Maruti’s butter-smooth 1.2-litre motor. This vibration is felt through the floorboard, particularly when pushing the car at higher speeds, though noise levels remain acceptable.

The motor isn’t explosive in terms of performance—unlike, say, Volkswagen’s 1.0 TSI. The focus is clearly on usability, aiming to strike a balance between city driving and highway cruising.

Turbocharged Engine –

Compared to the non-turbo version, the turbocharged engine shines in highway driving. Cruising at speeds of 100–120 km/h all day is very comfortable. Overtaking—moving from the 60–80 km/h range to triple-digit speeds—is also effortless.

In the city, you will find yourself toggling between second and third gears. The engine comes alive above 1800–2000 rpm. Below this range, there is a slight hesitation in picking up speed, though it never feels tedious. Note: If your usage is limited to the city, you might prefer the 1.2-litre engine, as it requires less frequent gear shifting.

Choose this engine if you plan to undertake frequent inter-city or inter-state trips; the added torque makes highway sprints much more relaxed.

Fronx Gearbox –

Another highlight is that this engine gets a proper 6-speed automatic transmission that is smooth and hassle-free. While it isn’t the quickest gearbox—there is a split-second delay before it downshifts when you floor the throttle—it more than makes up for it with its overall convenience.

The gearbox does not feature specific drive modes or a dedicated Sport mode; however, you do have the option to use paddle shifters and shift gears manually.

Fronx Ride and Handling –

The extra ground clearance ensures a smooth ride on broken roads. Body movement is well-controlled, so occupants aren’t tossed around at low speeds on rough surfaces; side-to-side movement is also effectively managed.

You won’t face any issues with the Fronx’s steering during city drives; it is light and quite responsive. On highways, it gains enough weight to inspire confidence. While you might desire a bit more feedback from the wheel, you will quickly get used to what the Fronx offers.

Our Verdict on the Fronx –

There is a lot to like about the Fronx and very little to dislike. It strikes a fine balance between a premium hatchback, a sub-compact SUV, and a compact SUV. The Fronx gets the fundamentals right—style, space, comfort, and everyday usability. To understand it better, let’s bring its siblings—the Baleno, Brezza, and Grand Vitara—into the equation.

It commands a premium over the Baleno, but the extra ground clearance, striking looks, and superior specifications make it worth the money.

Maruti Fronx price for the base model starts at Rs. 8.26 Lakh and the top model price goes upto Rs. 14.76 Lakh (on-road Bangalore). Fronx price for 14 variants is listed below.

Fronx Exterior –

This cross-hatchback brings a breath of fresh air to Maruti’s lineup; the Fronx looks completely distinct from the Baleno, which is a great start. As the saying goes, “Well begun is half done,” and this holds true for the Fronx. Apart from the front doors and the side mirrors (which appear to be carried over from the Baleno), it shares virtually no body panels with the hatchback.

Impressions –

The front end resembles a scaled-down version of the Grand Vitara, featuring triple-element Daytime Running Lamps (DRLs) and bumper-mounted full-LED headlights. Note that lower variants omit the DRLs, offering a basic projector headlight setup instead.

Front Profile –

A large grille and an upright nose give the Fronx a commanding, upright stance. Flared fenders with taut lines add a muscular look, while 16-inch wheels round off the design nicely. Chunky 195/60-section tires are standard across the range, though the lower Delta+ and Zeta variants come with silver alloy wheels.