THE Fronx introduces a new styling concept – that of a Coupé SUV – to the Suzuki line-up and offers motorists a unique combination of style, performance and value-for-money motoring.

This new model was first revealed at the company’s global conference in India in January this year. At the event, it joined other new models, such as the Suzuki Jimny five-door 4x4 and the family-sized XL6 SUV on stage. All three models are due for launch in South Africa, with the Fronx leading the charge.

“With our new Fronx, we want to show South Africans that they do not have to compromise on style, performance and safety when buying in the compact SUV segment,” says Brendon Carpenter, Brand Marketing Manager of Suzuki Auto South Africa.

“The coupé SUV body style, with its bold front grille and sloping roofline, offers a fresh choice in this market segment, and the K15B 1.5 litre petrol engine promises great performance and low fuel consumption.

“And to sweeten the deal, we have added all the must-have styling options, such as roof rails, daytime running lights and alloy wheels to all models, regardless of their specification level or price.”

Carpenter notes that the Fronx name is derived from two terms. The first is “Frontier” which refers to both the way in which the vehicle crosses a frontier for Suzuki in this market segment and how its design crosses a frontier between SUV and coupé. The second term is “X”, pointing to the crossover nature of the Fronx.

Four versions of the Suzuki Fronx are available from launch. They are the Fronx GL in five-speed manual or four-speed automatic transmission and the more luxurious Fronx GLX with the same choice of manual or automatic transmission.

Crafted Futurism

The Suzuki Fronx has the same design DNA as several of the other recent models in the group’s line-up, including the new Grand Vitara and the new Suzuki Baleno.

The design language is called Crafted Futurism and combines a feel of well-built quality with forward-thinking styling. With the design of the Fronx, the Suzuki designers were given free rein to explore the furthest reaches of this new design language.

The result is a combination of the signature Suzuki SUV design elements, such as the grille, first seen on the Grand Vitara, and completely new design elements. The latter include the swooping roofline, bold wheel arches that combine creased metal and black polycarbonate wheel arch extensions, dual-layer front lights with a follow-me-home function, large alloy wheels and LED tail lamps. On the GLX model, the tail lamps are connected by a LED light bar that runs the length of the vehicle.

As mentioned by Carpenter, Suzuki Auto South Africa has decided to add the must-have styling elements to all of its Fronx models.

This means that all models have 16” alloy wheels (silver on the GLX), roof rails (again silver on GLX models), a rear roof-mounted spoiler with shark fin antennae and high-mounted daytime running lights. All models also have colour-matched side mirrors with built-in indicators (black mirrors on dual-colour models).

The GLX versions of the Fronx have a chrome-plated trim across the side windows, while all models, in a last nod to the Suzuki SUV line-up, have silver front, side and rear skid plate garnishes.

By the numbers

Before moving inside the cabin, it is worth considering the measurements of the Suzuki Fronx and where it fits into the range.

The five-door Suzuki Fronx measures in at 3.995 metres long and 1.765 metres wide. It rides on a 2.520-metre wheelbase, which ensures that there is more than enough space for five adult occupants in the cabin.

By comparison, the Grand Vitara is 4.345 metres long with a 2.6-metre-long wheelbase. On the other side of the Suzuki SUV spectrum, the Suzuki S-Presso is 3.565-metres long.

Other vital statistics worth noting include the luggage volume, which measures in at 304 litres with a full-sized 16” spare wheel. This grows to 605 litres with the rear seatback folded forward. All models have a 60:40 split folding rear bench seat.

On the topic of wheels, the Suzuki Fronx has a 170 mm ground clearance, thanks in part to its SUV design and in part to its large 16” alloy wheels shod with 195/60 tyres.

Filled to the brim

Inside the spacious cabin of the Suzuki Fronx, you will find every convenience that you would expect for the price and many that you would not.

For instance, all versions of the Suzuki Fronx have a leather-clad multi-function steering wheel with buttons for the Bluetooth cell phone connection, audio controls and cruise control. Yes, all versions of the Suzuki Fronx have cruise control as standard. The steering wheel is adjustable for height, and on GLX models there is also adjustment for reach.

Also included across the range are electric windows front and rear, automatic climate control with rear-seat ventilation, central locking, electric power steering, dual rear-mounted USB charging points, a front-mounted 12V charging socket and a centre console box that doubles as both an armrest and storage compartment.