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2026 Suzuki Fronx Hybrid review: Long-term introduction

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Fronx is an unusual name for a slightly unusual-looking compact SUV, and Suzuki says it’s shorthand for ‘Frontier Crossover’ – a new era of light SUV for the Japanese auto brand.

It’s one of the best value-for-money models in Australian showrooms right now, based on price and equipment alone, with its bluff front-end and wispy lines disguising a pretty large car.

Launched in Australia in August 2025, the Fronx is one of Suzuki’s Indian-sourced models – like the five-door Jimny XL off-roader – and it effectively replaces the discontinued Baleno, which was a more conventional-looking hatch and, in fact, donates its platform to this model.

Previously The Fronx has reached number one monthly sales charts in India, where it is sold by the company’s Maruti brand – but finished 2025 at number seven on the sales ladder.

The best-selling Dzire was the top spot of four Maruti Suzuki models ahead of it, beating the Hyundai Creta to claim number one in front of Tata Nexon.

This is also a sale of it like the Toyota Urban Cruiser Taisor (also not an actual term) in India, which should be confidence-boosting if you’re not convinced by the credentials of the Fronx so far. eh, good enough for an Toyota badge?

The Mazda CX-3 (in December 2025) outsold the Fronx in Australia’s light SUV segment, Toyota Yaris Cross, Hyundai Venue, Kia Stonic and Suzuki’S Jimny-owned vehicle; but not the Volkswagen T-Cross, Suzuki Ignis, Honda Inster, Nissan Juke or Alfa Romeo Junior.

The puffed-cheeked face of Suzuki’s latest SUV is somewhat more muscular than the final Baleno, with slim, high LED headlights and chunky fog lights in a one-spec-fits-all model.

This unique style lends a “sporty, urban edge” to the car’s maker but our Splendid Silver long-termer is less controversial from the back.

A well-appointed cabin is also a large room for taller drivers, and the standard equipment quality is impressive keyless entry and push-button start, wireless phone charging (highly equipped), ‘head-up display’ or faux-leather ‘Black and Bordeaux’ themed trim.

On first impressions, all that gives the Fronx a fighting chance against the models listed above, as well as affordable small SUVs like the hybrid version of the Chery Tiggo 4, while it comes across as more complete than the petrol-only Mahindra XUV 3XO.

Yet recent ANCAP testing raises the question: is the Suzuki Fronx a safe bet in the long term, or has it had its (not even) 15 minutes of fame?

To see how the Suzuki Fronx lines up against the competition, check out our
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How much does the Suzuki Fronx cost?

There’s a lot of standard equipment, but very little choice there is only one model grade for $28,990 before on-road costs (any paint colour other than Arctic White Pearl cost an additional $745).

| Model | Price before on-road costs |
| — | — |
| 2026 Suzuki Fronx Hybrid | $28,990 |

Our Splendid Silver steed is only available with the Black Roof combo, which adds $1345 to the list price and also comes with Opulent Red Pearl or Lucent Orange Pearl exterior colours for the same ask.

That means our long-term Fronx is $30,335 plus on-roads or $33,135 drive-away with Suzuki Australia’s ‘Build & Price’ configurator tool. It has been discontinued with a limited offer of $29,990 drive-away nationally and no other Fronx deals are available at the time by Suzuki.

It’s a similar cost to the Chery Tiggo 4 Hybrid ($29,990 drive-away) that is comparable to its $ counterpart but has – among other things more 5 than it seems. The Fronx’s 4L/100km fuel consumption claim is more accurate than the 4 L/ 100km. 9L/100km) .

To see how the Suzuki Fronx lines up against the competition, check out our
comparison tool

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What’s under the bonnet?

The Fronx’s 1.5-litre mild-hybrid petrol engine is from the Suzuki K-Series family and the 1462cc twin-cam 16-valve four-cylinder has also been used in the Swift, Vitara and SX4, among other Suzukis globally.

| Specifications | Suzuki Fronx Hybrid |
| — | — |
| Engine | 1.5L 4cyl petrol 12V MHEV |
| Power | 76kW @ 6000rpm |
| Torque | 137Nm @ 4400rpm |
| Transmission | 6-speed auto |
| Drive type | Front-wheel drive |
| Weight | 1065kg |
| Fuel economy (claimed) | 4.9L/100km |
| Fuel tank capacity | 37L |
| Fuel requirement | 91-octane regular unleaded |
| CO2 emissions | 113g/km |
| Emissions standard | Euro 6 |

It produces just 76kW of power and 137Nm of torque at 4400rpm, with six-speed torque-converter automatic transmission. For example, as with Mazda’s Skyactiv engines, the engine has a relatively high compression ratio in the name of efficiency (e.g.

The mnemonic system is made up of the integrated starter generator (ISG), which basically replaces the alternator and feeds recouted braking energy to a 12V lithium-ion battery – although it’s not called ‘complete hybrid system, with no 48V battery like many MHEV systems).

To see how the Suzuki Fronx lines up against the competition, check out our
comparison tool

What do you get?

There is only one model grade of Fronx, so add your colour choice to this list of standard features.

2026 Suzuki Fronx equipment highlights:

  • Multi-reflector automatic LED headlights
  • 16-inch alloy wheels
  • Tyre repair kit
  • Power-folding exterior mirrors
  • Proximity entry with push-button start
  • Electric parking brake
  • Auto hold
  • Head-up display
  • 4.2-inch instrument cluster screen
  • 9.0-inch touchscreen infotainment system
  • Apple CarPlay and Android Auto – wireless, wired
  • Wireless phone charger
  • 6-speaker sound system
  • Fabric and leatherette upholstery
  • Heated front seats
  • Height-adjustable front seat
  • Power windows
  • Leather-wrapped steering wheel
  • Tilt and telescopic adjustment
  • Automatic air-conditioning
  • Illuminated vanity mirrors
  • Centre console bin with armrest
  • Removable luggage board

To see how the Suzuki Fronx lines up against the competition, check out our
comparison tool

Options

Aside from accessories – including a carbon-look interior styling kit, luggage tray, scuff plates and floor mat options there is no factory option for the Fronx other than exterior paint.

The Fronx comes with a two-tone burgundy and red interior.

The following exterior paint finishes are available:

  • Arctic White Pearl
  • Bluish Black Pearl
  • Grandeur Grey Pearl Metallic
  • Celestial Blue Pearl Metallic

There are also three two-tone exterior options with a Black Pearl roof: available:

  • Splendid Silver Pearl Metallic
  • Opulent Red Pearl Metallic
  • Lucent Orange Pearl Metallic

To see how the Suzuki Fronx lines up against the competition, check out our
comparison tool

Is the Suzuki Fronx safe?

The Fronx posted a sub-standard one-star rating following crash testing by ANCAP (Australasian New Car Assessment Program) in December 2025.

| Category | Suzuki Fronx |
| — | — |
| Adult occupant protection | 48 per cent |
| Child occupant protection | 40 per cent |
| Vulnerable road user protection | 65 per cent |
| Safety assist | 55 per cent |

This led to a recall the next day by Suzuki Australia (and Suzuki Queensland), which distributes vehicles vehicle in the Sunshine State and northern NSW. A rear seatbelt failure in one of ANCAP’s frontal tests was the main concern, so that the rear passenger dummy was unrestrained.

ANCAP recommends that consumers should “be aware of this component failure” when considering buying a Suzuki Fronx before Suzuki shows that the component failed has been investigated and addressed”.

When Suzuki said ‘A full and disciplined investigation is underway, we will do anything to maintain our safety standards and the trust of customers in our brand. ” , ‘I’m sure it is worth reading.

Standard safety equipment includes:

  • Autonomous emergency braking
  • Pedestrian detection
  • Cyclist detection
  • Motorcycle detection
  • Adaptive cruise control
  • Blind-spot monitoring
  • Lane-keep assist
  • Rear cross-traffic alert
  • Traffic sign recognition
  • Surround-view camera
  • Front and rear parking sensors
  • Front, front-side and curtain airbags

To see how the Suzuki Fronx lines up against the competition, check out our
comparison tool

How much does the Suzuki Fronx cost to run?

The Fronx has a five-year, unlimited-kilometre warranty and five years/75,000km of capped-price servicing (whichever comes first), service intervals every 12 months or 15,000 km.

| Servicing and Warranty | Suzuki Fronx |
| — | — |
| Warranty | 5 years, unlimited kilometres |
| Roadside assistance | 5 years |
| Service intervals | 12 months or 15,000km |
| Capped-price servicing | 5 years |
| Average annual service cost | $383 – Suzuki Queensland $401 – Suzuki Australia |
| Total capped-price service cost | $1915 – Suzuki Queensland $2005 – Suzuki Australia |

In Queensland, $319,$49, $579 and $248 respectively are caps on these services. A slightly different service price has been published by Suzuki Australia $329, $399, $549, $3599 and $339 respectively.

To see how the Suzuki Fronx lines up against the competition, check out our
comparison tool

childcareman.xyz’s Take on the Suzuki Fronx

The phrase ‘The fronx doesn’t have its vices, but it is a very clear and simple car this one is no-fussy yet far from basic; the cars are user-friendly (and equipment levels) which makes us feel so much less–especially given the price of meagre.

This works well with newer tech like a head-up display and wireless connectivity, as well as smooth, matte and shiny surfaces mixed with its odd mix of old-school textured Dash plastics straight from 1992.

Let’s ignore the odd combination of front seats that have heating but are not power-adjustable. And we’ll pause on ANCAP’s judgement too, as the Fronx is now subject to a recall, which we’ll report back on.

The Fronx, subjectively, is no catwalk model to look at but a cheap date that says everything right so far. If it can pass first base in the next few long-term test reports, let’s see if it will.

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