Test Drive Suzuki Fronx, Has the Potential to Be Popular in Indonesia

Katadata OTO Rating:

Design, performance, fuel consumption, and safety features

No auto door lock, second-row seats are somewhat cramped and do not recline.

KatadataOTO – Suzuki Fronx attracted quite a bit of attention upon its debut. To be honest, this compact crossover, which competes with the Toyota Raize, Daihatsu Rocky, and Honda WR-V in the Indonesian market, has a slightly sportier and more masculine design than the others.

KatadataOTO had the chance to conduct a brief test before the Fronx was launched at the Bridgestone test facility in Karawang, West Java. However, it didn't feel complete without a road test under various driving conditions, which we conducted some time ago in the Bandung area and its surroundings.

Driving Feel and Handling

KatadataOTO had the opportunity to test the highest-end Suzuki Fronx SGX type with Smart Hybrid Vehicle by Suzuki (SHVC) technology and the most complete feature package. This variant is equipped with a 1.5-liter K15C engine, producing 103 hp at 6,000 rpm and 138 Nm of torque at 4,400 rpm.

For Suzuki owners, the character of the K15 engine, both B and C types, should be quite familiar, as it is used in most models equipped with a 1.5-liter engine. These include the Suzuki Ertiga, XL7, Carry, Baleno, Grand Vitara, and Jimny.

Photo : KatadataOTO

In general, you will easily adapt to the Suzuki Fronx's engine. Paired with a conventional 6-speed automatic transmission, the engine power feels moderate, sufficient for traversing various road characters both in the city and out of town.

When you are behind the wheel, the feeling is almost the same as driving an Ertiga or XL7. However, with its more compact dimensions, confidence builds quickly, especially when maneuvering to overtake vehicles on both toll roads and regular roads.

Moreover, the stability of the Suzuki Fronx is also quite good. This was evident when KatadataOTO increased speed and performed slight maneuvers while overtaking or navigating long curves on the toll road; the car was very easy to control. Without any steering correction, the car could be easily directed as needed.

The Suzuki Fronx is generally equipped with a medium-setting suspension. This provides the best tolerance for various road conditions, as it is stable when maneuvering and comfortable on bumpy roads. Negative driving symptoms like body roll and bouncing are barely noticeable.

Photo : KatadataOTO

Another note, the fuel consumption test was conducted over a distance of 100 km. KatadataOTO drove at an average economic speed of 60-80 km/h and kept the engine performance below maximum rpm. With 4 adult passengers and the AC set to position 2 at 20 degrees Celsius, the full-to-full fuel consumption recorded was 29 km per liter.