Could the Suzuki Fronx replace Baleno in Australia?

Suzuki has revealed a new model for its 2023 line-up in India, the unusually named Fronx, which could eventually come to Australia in place of the discontinued Baleno.

The Suzuki Fronx was revealed during the 2023 Auto Expo in India, where the compact SUV will be sold alongside the recently updated Baleno, on the same day the brand revealed its new five-door version of the Jimny 4x4.

Suzuki calls the Fronx a “new genre SUV”, though the idea of a crossover SUV/hatch has been around for years in cars like the Ford Puma, Toyota Yaris Cross, and the Mazda CX-3.

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The Fronx is set to be available in its home market with two engine options, one a 1.2-litre petrol four-cylinder engine (like the 66kW/113Nm engine the Baleno has over there), or a 1.0-litre turbocharged unit available in the Swift locally, but with mild hybrid.

In Australia, the Baleno was available with a larger 1.4-litre engine making 68kW/130Nm, so it’s possible that if the Fronx comes Down Under, it could be offered with that engine.

Before its discontinuation, the Suzuki Baleno (as one of Australia’s most affordable cars) was relatively successful for the brand, having shifted 3896 units in 2021 and 6124 in 2022, although its current incarnation sold in India never made it to Australia due to local safety regulations.

If the Fronx is to be the semi-successor to the Baleno, that’s a hurdle it will have to overcome.

The Indian specification announced by Suzuki does however have a few promising features, including a surround-view parking camera, a head-up display, a wireless phone charger bay, all in an interior that looks carried over from the current Baleno.

CarsGuide has contacted Suzuki Australia for comment regarding any position the brand has on the Fronx.