Maruti Suzuki FRONX

<p>Since the Fronx sits on the same platform as the Baleno you’d be forgiven for mistaking it for one based on the side profile alone. However, the front fascia is clearly going for an SUV-like profile and succeeds without looking forced. In fact, the front can easily be mistaken for the new Grand Vitara, and the shape of the bonnet is also very macho. You get a massive grille that doesn’t look out of place and adds to the Fronx’s road presence. The three-pod headlamps look excellent, but you lose out on fog lamps, even in the top trims. The rear is probably the Fronx’s best angle, with a unique tail lights assembly that connects across the rear with an LED light strip. It looks smashing at night. Overall, the rear looks quite sporty. The quirky styling of the Fronx has also led to a funky looking rear quarter glass that well… doesn’t look out of place and complements the side profile well. For a change Maruti Suzuki hasn’t under-tyred a new car with the Fronx getting beautiful 16 inch rims. However, the flared wheel-arches and a bunch of cladding still make the wheel wells look a little wanting.&nbsp;</p><p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>Step inside the Fronx and you might just think you’re in a Baleno. The cabin is roomy, and the overall fit and finish is quite good but there is hard plastic everywhere that dampens the experience. The top model does get a leather wrapped steering wheel, hand brake, centre armrest and door armrests, ensuring your key touch points feel more premium. The 308-litre boot is more than enough for airport runs and road trips. There is enough storage space in the cabin for your personal belongings with an adequate glove box and bottle holders in the door panels. The centre armrests’ storage is small though and is strictly for smaller items such as your wallet. Overall, the interior is a nice place to be and strictly function over form, not going overboard to wow you, rather ensuring you have everything right where you need it.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p><p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>All the seats are firm enough to offer good support and not fatigue you over long commutes. All five seats also get adjustable headrests. While the front seats are comfortable, the rear don’t offer great underthigh support because of the low recline angle and this might be a deal breaker for some. Legroom in the rear is good enough even for taller adults. The AC does a good job of keeping the cabin cool and the UV cut glass helps keep a lot of the sun out on warmer days. The rear also gets rear AC vents with two charging ports but there is no armrest for when there are just two passengers in the back. The front seats, which are also quite wide with good side support, are definitely the place to be for longer journeys. The suspension absorbs most bumps on the road and the overall ride quality is quite supple.&nbsp;</p><p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>Given how easy to drive the Baleno is, it comes as no surprise that the Fronx is just as good. The steering wheel is extremely light and this makes for a very comfortable drive in the city. You can literally drive around with one hand, although it is highly recommended you don’t.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>The Fronx is available in two engine options, a four cylinder, 1.2-litre naturally aspirated petrol and a three cylinder, 1.0-litre turbo petrol making 89 bhp (113 Nm) and 99 bhp (147 Nm), respectively. Both are great to drive in the city but the turbo is definitely the more engaging of the two, especially out on the highway, thanks to the higher torque on offer which makes overtaking a less cumbersome affair. Both engines are tuned for efficiency, making them quite lethargic at lower RPMs. The turbo is especially slow to pick up steam under 2,000 RPM due to turbo lag. While the automatic variants are great for city commuting, the manuals will also ensure your left calf muscle doesn’t throb with pain as the clutch is super light and effortless to use.&nbsp;</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>The suspension on the Fronx has been tuned for comfort and this shows in the way the car handles. While it handles undulations well, this is not a car to be pushed in the twisties. It’ll do the job but you won’t get the kind of steering feedback you’re looking for. The Fronx also gets 190 mm of ground clearance, making it an able partner on bad roads and trips to the mountains. This though, once again does translate to body roll.&nbsp;</p><p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p><figure class="table"><table><tbody><tr><td>Engine</td><td>1.2-litre four cylinder naturally aspirated</td><td>1.0-litre three cylinder turbo</td></tr><tr><td>Maximum Power</td><td>89 bhp</td><td>99 bhp</td></tr><tr><td>Maximum Torque</td><td>113 Nm</td><td>147 Nm</td></tr><tr><td>Transmission</td><td>Manual and 5-speed auto (1.2-litre)</td><td>Manual and 6-speed auto (1.0-litre)</td></tr><tr><td>Seating Capacity</td><td colspan="2"><p>&nbsp;</p><p>5</p></td></tr><tr><td>Fuel Type</td><td colspan="2"><p>&nbsp;</p><p>Petrol</p></td></tr><tr><td>Mileage</td><td colspan="2"><p>&nbsp;</p><p>20-23 km/l depending on transmission and engine</p></td></tr></tbody></table></figure><p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>Although the Fronx is not Global NCAP tested, it might score similarly to the Baleno which is also based on the HEARTECT platform. This is not great news as the Baleno was rated zero stars. There is hope though as the Ertiga is also based on the same platform and earned a three star rating. In terms of safety features you get good tech to keep you safe, such as 360 degree camera, ESP, hill hold assist, six airbags, ISOFIX, and three-point seatbelts for all five passengers.&nbsp;</p><p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>The tech on offer in the Fronx will vary depending on the variant you choose, but it is a well kitted out car. In the top trim, you get a nine inch touchscreen infotainment system with wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay mated to a six speaker system that sounds okay. You also get steering mounted controls that make controlling the music a breeze. The driver instrument cluster gets an analogue speedometer and tachometer, however the information display in the centre is digital. You also get a heads up display that folds up and looks quite cool, displaying information such as your speed and AC temperature. The wireless phone charger in the front is also a nice touch. However, it is quite slow to charge and your phone might heat up if it’s also connected to Android Auto or CarPlay.&nbsp;</p><p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>At over ₹13 lakhs ex-showroom for the top spec Alpha, the Fronx is not a budget hatchback by any means. For a proper SUV-like feeling, you’re better off considering the Grand Vitara or Hyundai Creta. What the Fronx is is a happy middle ground between a premium hatchback and a compact SUV. You get the ease of driving that a hatchback offers, the ground clearance and street presence (at least from the front) of an SUV while being less expensive on the pocket. If you’re looking for a reliable (two year, 40,000 km warranty), inexpensive to maintain family car that will chug along without fuss, the Fronx could be the perfect car for you.&nbsp;</p>