BEING a B-segment crossover, the Suzuki Fronx knows what it is and isn’t, and rather than chasing outright performance, it combines a compact footprint, naturally aspirated engine and mild-hybrid system to serve mainly as an easy daily commuter.
That became clear during a recent 350km drive from Petaling Jaya to Penang, covering a mix of urban roads and the North-South Expressway.
Starting from the Suzuki Cars Petaling Jaya showroom in an Ice Grayish Blue unit, the journey provided a good opportunity to see how the Fronx coped with both city traffic and highway cruising.
At 3,995mm in length and 1,765mm in width, with 170mm of ground clearance, the Fronx is easy to manoeuvre around town.
Its 4.8m turning radius is particularly useful on tight streets and in cramped parking areas around Petaling Jaya and Kuala Lumpur.
The driving position is quite upright while providing a good view of the surroundings, although the front passenger seat is noticeably higher in comparison.
The faux leather and fabric seats are another pleasant surprise.
They are well bolstered and sufficiently plush, making the Fronx comfortable for longer periods behind the wheel.
Power comes from a 1,462cc K15C DualJet naturally aspirated four-cylinder engine paired with Suzuki’s SHVS mild-hybrid system.
It produces 74kW (100hp) at 6,000rpm and 135Nm at 4,400rpm, with a six-speed automatic sending power to the front wheels.
Without a turbocharger, the Fronx does need a deeper prod of the accelerator when more urgency is required.
Give it enough throttle, and the transmission will kick down two gears, allowing the engine to climb towards its 6,000rpm red-line where most of its power is found.
For less experienced drivers, there is a certain predictability to this power delivery that’s devoid of sudden surges of torque, and it responds progressively to throttle inputs.
For those looking for a little more involvement, the steering-mounted paddle-shifters allow for manual gear selection, and this makes it possible to keep the engine in its more responsive range.
The engine does become more vocal, progressively permeating into the cabin as the revs climb past 3,000rpm, so keep the engine running below this will garner a more pleasant experience.
Urban driving is where the Fronx feel more at home.
The light steering makes low-speed manoeuvring effortless, while the mild-hybrid system’s Integrated Starter Generator provides useful assistance when pulling away from a standstill.
The six-speed automatic also works smoothly in traffic, adding to the car’s relaxed character.
There is one possible irritation for owners, aside from the lack of automatic wipers, and that’s the start-stop system, which can introduce some shake into the cabin when the engine cuts out.
This also stops the air-conditioning compressor while the engine is off, and in Malaysia’s mid-day traffic, it makes more sense to keep the system off.
Leave the city behind, and the Fronx find itself easily settling into cruise that feels stable and calm, including through sweeping bends despite displaying some body roll, but maintaining a steady pace will be obvious forte in this respect.
The inclusion of a Head-Up Display, Adaptive Cruise Control, Lane Keep Assist and Lane Centring Assist also added to the comfort of this long-distance journey.
With these systems working together, the cabin becomes a comfortable place to spend several hours singing along to their preferred tunes and engaging in light banter.
Interior space is reasonable for a compact crossover and works best with four occupants, and although three adults can fit across the rear bench, it would be better suited to shorter journeys.
Although the Fronx is also not a vehicle designed to attack corners, its front MacPherson struts and rear torsion beam suspension setup provides a reasonable blend of comfort and control.
There’s much predictability when behind the wheel, and the suspension does a decent job of dealing with minor road imperfections.
Using the paddle-shifters to hold a lower gear adds some involvement on winding roads, although the Fronx’s limits become apparent fairly quickly, often requiring the throttle and sometimes the paddle-shifters to will the engine on and access all of its potency.
Hence, the Fronx is more enjoyable when driven within its comfort zone rather than being treated like a sports hatchback, and ultimately, it does this reasonably well as a compact crossover.
With its ability to maintain a steady pace at speed, reduce the stresses of heavy traffic and make longer journeys comfortable, the Fronx fulfils its role as an uncomplicated daily commuter rather convincingly.
While the Fronx is priced from RM118,888, its Year-End Value Drive campaign allows customers to enjoy cash rebates of up to RM20,000, along with 3 years of free service, a 5-year vehicle warranty with unlimited mileage, and an 8-year lithium-ion hybrid battery warranty or 160,000km, whichever comes first.
