Suzuki is among the first brands to make a splash in the subcompact crossover segment, but after the gas-powered Vitara exited in 2022, Suzuki took a brief break from that segment.
Last year, however, things changed when Suzuki officially launched the Fronx in the Philippines. With its name being a portmanteau of “Frontier Next”, the Fronx is one of Suzuki’s next-generation product offerings.
How does it fare in the real world, though? In this review, we’re taking a look at the Fronx SGX AT to see if the top-of-the-line Fronx has what it takes to be a great buy, especially in the crowded segment it's competing in.
Engine Output (HP), Acceleration, Transmission, Handling 3.5/5
Exterior & Interior Design, Quality, Fit and Finish, Ergonomics 4.0/5
Cabin Comfort, Suspension, NVH Insulation 4.5/5
Convenience Technologies, Active and Passive Safety Features 4.5/5
Amount of the vehicle you get for the price, Fuel Efficiency 5.0/5
- Great NVH Insulation
- Impressive ADAS Suite
- Great fuel efficiency
- Feels underpowered
- Slightly pricier compared to rivals
Price
Before anything else, let’s talk prices. The Suzuki Fronx lineup starts at rather accessible P1,059,000 for the entry-level GL AT. At the top of that ladder sits the variant we have on test: the Fronx SGX AT priced at P1,229,000.
If you’re thinking it's quite a big ask for a subcompact crossover, a lot of people may agree. Its bigger brother, the Jimny, with its rugged off-road capability and reputation, can price itself quite high and no one would bat an eye. As for the Fronx, though, because it’s a new nameplate, it has to prove itself for people to notice. Luckily, it may just have the specs and features to back its price.
Powertrain and Fuel Economy
The Fronx SGX is powered by a rather familiar K15B 1.5-liter Dual Jet engine that delivers 99 hp and 135 Nm of torque. Because it's a mild-hybrid, it also features Suzuki’s Integrated Starter Generator (ISG), paired with the Engine Auto-Stop Start (EASS) feature; Suzuki says the Fronx delivers improved fuel efficiency and reduced emissions. Sending power from the engine to the front wheels is a new six-speed automatic transmission.
On the topic of fuel economy, in a previous YouTube feature, we tested how the Fronx would perform in different use cases (Family man, weekend warrior, young professional, etc.). Throughout the test, it returned 14 km/l inside the city and 22 km/L on the highway. We’d also like to note that the Fronx returned those figures all with a full cabin of passengers and cargo.
Exterior
The Fronx may be Suzuki’s most daring design to date, with the subcompact crossover combining the tall stature of a crossover with sleek styling to make a rather sporty look. The DRLs sit high on the fascia, doubling as turn indicators, while the split LED headlamps have been pushed down to where you'd typically expect fog lamps.
Black cladding wraps the wheel arches and rocker panels, doing the usual job of visually toughening up the lower half, while a strip of brushed aluminum trim beneath the doors sneaks in a bit of unexpected polish.
Round back, the design stays consistent. A hatch-mounted spoiler and a high-set brake light add a sporty touch, while the LED taillamps are linked by a slim light bar that lights up red after dark. The roofline tapers gently toward the tailgate, chasing that coupe-like profile. Wrap it all up with a set of 16-inch alloys, giving it 170 mm of ground clearance, and the Fronx strikes a stance that's bold, fresh, and unique.
Cargo Space
Open the rear door up, and the Fronx has space for a little over 300-liters of cargo. With the rear seats up, it can only accommodate bags and luggage. Fold the second row up, and there will be enough room for two balikbayan boxes. There is some difficulty loading heavy items because of the high loading lip as well as a bump when the rear seats are folded, preventing you from smoothly pushing items inside.
Interior
The first thing we noticed sitting inside the Fronx is how tall you sit in the rear bench. Legroom is decent with the front seats adjusted to the average person’s driving position. Headroom, however, is nothing to shout about, and that might be because of the sloping roofline. Space is adequate for two people, though a third person can fit; it will be a tight squeeze because of the limited shoulder space.
The seats are supportive and comfortable, featuring minimal bolstering, ensuring easy ingress and egress. A combination of leather and fabric upholstery is used in the interior, which we think is executed well. Amenities in the second row include two air vents in the middle, Type-A and Type-C charging ports, and a small cubby hole underneath them. Speakers and two bottle holders by the doors round things out; sadly, no center armrest back here.
Up front, the Fronx features a surprisingly lounge-like design. Because of the black and brown interior, the Fronx feels more upscale and premium than the price would lead you to believe. Front and center is the nine-inch HD display audio, running on a crisp capacitive touchscreen. It supports Apple CarPlay over both USB and Wi-Fi, along with Android Auto via USB and Bluetooth connectivity. The system also doubles as a status display, keeping you updated on the vehicle's vitals at a glance. Backing up the audio experience are four speakers plus two tweeters.
Ahead of the driver sits the SGX-exclusive head-up display — a combiner-type unit that projects your speed and navigation prompts right into your line of sight.
Parking, meanwhile, is turned into a non-event thanks to the 360-degree view camera, stitching together front, side, and rear feeds into a real-time top-down view on the touchscreen. Other toys to note are a wireless Qi charger, automatic digital air conditioning, and keyless entry.
If there’s one feature that we wish Suzuki added to the Fronx SGX, it would be power-adjustable seats. For a car that’s knocking on P1,300,000, power-adjustable seats even just for the driver would sweeten the deal.
Performance
To preface the Fronx’s performance, there is a general expectation when it comes to Suzuki cars, and that is they’re easy to drive, agile within the city, and have a light steering wheel; generally, Suzuki cars are just easy cars to live with.
For the Fronx, that hasn’t really changed; the same can be said about the performance. Suzukis aren’t known to be performance cars, and with 99 hp and 135 Nm of torque on tap, overtaking needs to be planned and carefully executed. Then again, the Fronx is tuned more towards efficiency, and the Fronx’s performance is enough to get you through the day-to-day drive.
The Fronx does have a few quirky traits you need to get used to. First, if you’re going downhill and coasting, tapping on the brakes will immediately get it to start engine braking. Second, when you’re coasting around the city at around 20 km/h, the transmission fishes for gears, hesitating to use a lower or higher gear. These are not dealbreakers, just things to keep in mind on the drive.
A highlight of the Fronx is its Advanced Driver Assist Systems (ADAS), in particular its adaptive cruise control. The Fronx is the first car in Suzuki’s lineup to get ADAS of this level, but it's surprisingly sophisticated and tame in action. It may be Suzuki’s first outing with adaptive cruise for our market, but they’ve hit the mark on their first try.
Another highlight is the NVH insulation. The Fronx’s NVH insulation has dramatically surpassed a lot of Suzuki’s other products. Everything feels well put together, and that is never a bad thing.
On the flipside, though, the lack of power is definitely disappointing. For a car as well built as the Fronx, we find ourselves wanting more power. As consolation, while the Fronx is underpowered, the engine soundtrack does sound nice when you put the hammer down.
Verdict
Suzuki's return to the subcompact crossover segment was widely expected — the price, size, and market share of these vehicles are hard to ignore. Plenty of brands, Suzuki included, have carved out a name for themselves here with offerings of their own. Where the Fronx shines, though, is that it's made by a trusted brand, its tech and features can match or even exceed the competition, it's ridiculously easy to drive, and — thanks to its mild-hybrid system — it's far less complicated than a full hybrid or EV.
Granted, the Fronx isn't the most exciting car to drive, but if you're looking for something that can do anything you ask of it and then some, the Fronx SGX definitely deserves a look.
Specifications
Engine
1.5 LFuel Type
HEVPerformance
99 hp @ 6,000 rpmTransmission
Automatic-
Summary
-
Name Suzuki Fronx SGX AT Hybrid Two Tone Body Type Crossover Price ₱1,299,000 Transmission Category Automatic -
Engine
-
Engine Size 1.5 L Displacement 1,462 cc Number of Cylinders 4 Number of Valves 16 Transmission Type 6-speed AT -
Performance
-
Drivetrain Front-Wheel Drive Max Output (hp) 99 hp @ 6,000 rpm Max Torque (nm) 135 Nm @ 4,400 rpm -
Economy & Environment
-
Fuel Type HEV Emissions Standard n/a Fuel Capacity 37.0 L *Combined Fuel Consumption 27.98 km/L *brand manufacturer claim
-
Dimensions
-
Length 3,995 mm Width 1,765 mm Height 1,550 mm Wheelbase 2,520 mm Turning Circle 10 m Ground Clearance 170 mm Trunk Capacity 304 L Number of Doors 5 Number of Seats 5 -
Safety & Security
-
Driver's Airbag 1 Front Passenger's Airbag 1 Side Airbag 2 Curtain Airbag 2 Knee Airbag Auto Brake System Electronic Brake Distribution Anti-lock Brake System (ABS) With Brake Assist
Immobilizer Security Alarm Stability Control Electronic Door Locks Speed Sensing Door Locks ISOFIX Lane Departure Warning System Blind-Spot Detection System -
Features
-
Cruise Control Front Parking Sensors Rear Parking Sensors Leather Upholstery Push Start Button Wheel Size 16 in Wheels Metal Type Alloy Airconditioning System Automatic Climate Control Entertainment System 9-inch HD Display Connectivity Wireless Apple CarPlay & Android Auto, Bluetooth and USB-C port Navigation Ready Warranty 3 Years (100,000 km) Keyless Entry Roof Rack Sunroof Electric Adjustable Seats Power Steering Power Windows Power Outlet Steering Wheel Audio Control -
Technology
-
Active Park Assist Hill Start Assist AWD Modes n/a Tire Pressure Monitoring Heads-up Display Power Liftgate Start-stop System
Colors
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