Looking at Suzuki’s local lineup, there seems to be one glaring omission. They have small MPVs and vans, mini utility vehicles, tiny hatchbacks, and, of course, the Jimny. So, did you spot the missing vehicle type?
It’s a model the company hasn’t offered here for quite some time already. We are, of course, talking about the subcompact crossover. The last one Suzuki Auto PH offered here was the Vitara that was pulled rather abruptly from the market in 2022.
Now, there might be a chance to rectify that. Over in Thailand, reports have indicated that the Suzuki Fronx will soon be sold there. Given that Thailand is a good barometer of cars coming to the Philippines, does it have a chance of coming here? And if so, does it deserve a spot here?
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In terms of size, the Fronx is smaller than the last Vitara sold locally. It’s also significantly shorter than the latter’s spiritual successor, the Grand Vitara. The Fronx measures 3,995mm long, 1,765mm wide, 1,550mm tall, and has a wheelbase of 2,520mm.
The Suzuki Fronx is built in India, although it’s also sold in the Middle East, South Africa, parts of Central/Latin America and Japan. There are five powertrain options on offer, namely two gas engines, a CNG-powered version, and a pair of mild hybrids. The base engine is a 1.2-liter with 89hp and 113Nm, while the natural gas model uses the same block and makes around the same power.
There’s also a 1.5-liter option that makes 103hp and 138Nm that’s sourced from other Suzuki models such as the Ertiga and XL7. As for the mild hybrid 1.5-liter, that one puts out 102hp and 137Nm. Lastly, the 1.0-liter turbo also benefits from mild hybrid tech, producing 99hp and 148Nm.
For the 1.0-liter turbo mild hybrid model, all-wheel drive is an option but all come with front-wheel drive standard. As for transmissions, there’s a five speed manual for all variants, while an automated manual is available for the 1.2-liter. The 1.5-liter can be specified with a four-speed automatic, while the mild hybrids are available with a six-speed automatic.
With stats like that, the Fronx has some stiff competition ahead of it. Some notable rivals include the Kia Sonet and, of course, the Toyota Raize. Given that the small crossover market has been booming, it would be wise for Suzuki, an automaker well known for making subcompact vehicles, would bring it in here. Given that it’s sold in the Middle East, that means it’s available in left-hand drive. Should they be able to price it right, this could be a potential winner for the brand.
