Maruti Fronx 2025 : At a time when the popular compact SUV silhouette is the norm, Maruti Suzuki set out to create waves with the Fronx – a design-led, and edgy crossover designed to make heads turn.
Positioned mid-way between a premium hatchback and a full-size SUV, the Fronx fuses practicality with design flair and the latest tech, hoping to serve up something that feels new in India’s already bustling but oh-so homogenous car market.
It gets its DNA from the Baleno which is quite the favourite already, albeit this time around it comes with SUV moulded lights, cladding and beefed up front.
The result? A car that treads the delicate line between beauty and violence — and quiets it down pretty well, too.
Design: All Eyes on You
The Fronx looks impressive at first. This is further complemented by coupe-like slope of the roofline, LED-light strip, broad grille and bulky front bumper that make it look like a mini SUV without being to much of an SUV either.
It sits taller than a hatchback, but not so high you feel like you’re swinging an axe.
At the back, the LED tail lamps and spoiler (all one piece) give the car a more contemporary feel.
The 16-inch alloy wheels finish off that look with some subtle style. In other words it’s a car that is as comfortable pulling up to a corporate office as it is tooling around city streets.
Interior: Similar, But Prettier
Inside, the Fronx has a lot in common with the Baleno — and that’s no bad thing. You still have the roomy cabin, easy-to-use layout and average material quality.
The Fronx distinguishes itself thanks to the overtones of an SUV and its new dual-tone color schemes that lend it a more youthful, premium feel.
Slick, 9-inch SmartPlay Pro+ infotainment system with wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. Combine that with the Arkamys-tuned sound system, automatic climate control and a heads-up display and you’re left with a tech-savvy interior that goes against the budget-grain.
Performance: Peppy and Efficient
Available with two engine options — a 1.2-litre NA petrol (90 PS) and the 1.0-litre BoosterJet turbo-petrol (100 PS) powertrain.
The latter is ideal for everyday city driving – smooth, frugal and dependable. The latter, on the other hand, is a bit spicier with perky acceleration and a spunky persona.
Power is transferred via a 5-speed manual, AMT and a 6-speed torque converter (for the turbo). The ride quality is good — it’s well tuned for Indian roads with a suspension setup that soaks up bumps well and doesn’t impact too much on handling.
On the Road: City Smooth, Highway Assurance
When you’re filtering through narrow streets or whizzing down a highway, the Fronx feels stable and confidence-boosting.
The steering feels light for city cut and thrust, but responsive enough to keep it interesting on a long schlep to the coast. Road noise is fairly well subdued, and the cabin seems well insulated at highway speeds.
Safety and Features
Maruti’s renewed focus on safety can be seen in the Fronx. It gets 6 airbags (top variants), ESP with hill-hold, ABS with EBD, rear parking sensors and a 360-degree camera.
The car is also assembled on Suzuki’s HEARTECT platform which is believed to offer a strong and stiff body shell.
Pros
Urban Metallic finish provides a stylish touch to its SUV-inspired design
Silky smooth engines that are fuel-efficient
HUD, 360-camera, despite being a premium feature that is supposed to offer luxury and convenience that we are paying for.
Smooth ride for city and highway trips
Maruti’s large service reach and resale value
Cons
No diesel engine option
Little steep on the Turbo model.
AMT not quite as polished as CVTs of rivals
Rear seat space is good, it just doesn’t lead the way for the segment
Only marginal all-terrain capability for an SUV
Maruti Fronx 2025: Final Verdict
The Fronx, from Maruti, is a refreshing option in the small CUV category. It combines the best of both worlds - the practicality of a hatchback but with SUV styling that doesn’t make inroads into comfort or specs.
The Fronx ticked a lot of boxes for urban families, young professionals and first-time buyers after something premium but also practical.
It’s not the most burly SUV on offer, but for what it’s supposed to be doing — looking good, driving good and not drinking like a fish — it’s a big success.