Suzuki Fronx compact coupe crossover confirmed for Australia

Suzuki Australia has confirmed the just-released Fronx compact SUV for sale in this market.

Unveiled at last week’s Auto Expo in New Dehli, India, the coupe crossover-style Fronx measures just under 4.0m long, close to 1.8m wide, and a fraction over 1.5m tall, putting it in the same size ballpark as potential competitors including the Ford Puma, Mazda CX-3 and Toyota Yaris Cross.

Developed by Suzuki Motor Corporation’s Indian subsidiary, Maruti Suzuki, and sitting on the same ‘Heartect’ platform as the Baleno hatch, this compact, front-wheel drive five-seater will likely be produced alongside the Baleno at the company’s Gujarat plant in Western India. 

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It will be offered in its home market with a choice of two powertrains. A 66kW/113Nm 1.2-litre naturally aspirated four-cylinder dual-VVT unit (as used in the Baleno) is matched with a five-speed manual or five-speed ‘AGS’ automated manual. 

And a 74kW/148Nm 1.0-litre, ‘K-series’ three-cylinder, turbo-petrol, mild-hybrid engine will be available with either a five-speed manual gearbox, or six-speed automatic transmission. 

The latter powerplant is a new derivative of the all-alloy, turbo triple currently offered here in the Swift, with the addition of regenerative braking and electric torque assist during initial acceleration.  

Timing for local introduction is still to be announced, but the Fronx is scheduled to go on sale in India early in the second quarter of this year, so it’s fair to expect a mid-year on-sale here.

The Baleno, which departed the local market early last year, was aggressively priced, with the entry GL grade sitting under $20K.

Although pricing and specification is yet to be confirmed for Australia, it’s unlikely the Fronx will be pitched at the same part of the market, with the standard features list (in India) including a 360-degree view camera, head-up display, 9.0-inch multimedia screen, wireless device charging and adjustable rear-seat air con vents.

And as Suzuki Australia General Manager, Michael Pachota told CarsGuide in 2022, “Cheap and cheerful is a thing of the past. Our prices have started creeping up, but that’s how the market is moving.”