Fancy A Compact Maruti Grand Vitara SUV? Meet Fronx Showcased At Auto Expo 2023

• Maruti’s Baleno-based crossover SUV breaks cover as the Fronx.

• Cabin layout identical to the Baleno premium hatchback.

• Packs a nine-inch infotainment touchscreen, automatic climate control, sunroof, and 360-degree camera.

• Gets the famous 1-litre Boosterjet turbo petrol but with mild-hybrid tech producing 100PS and 148Nm.

• Also packs the Baleno’s existing 1.2-litre Dualjet petrol unit.

• Likely to be priced from Rs 7 lakh (ex-showroom) onwards, bookings already underway.

You’ve seen it draped in camouflage in spy shots. We’ve been calling it the Baleno-based SUV until now, but the SUV has finally broken cover with an official moniker at the Auto Expo 2023. This is the Fronx and even though it's based on Maruti’s Baleno hatchback, it looks more like a smaller Grand Vitara. A launch in India is expected very soon as the order books for the SUV are already open.

Design

The front end sports a split LED headlight setup and a large front grille that’s similar to that of the Grand Vitara. In profile, it gets chunky wheel arches while the sloping roofline and a protruding tail gives it crossover like vibes.

 

 

 

 

 

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Maruti has gone with the connected taillight (that’s trending) at the rear of the SUV with a sleek LED setup which is housed in the upright backside, similar to the Grand Vitara. The overall stance leans more on the lines of a crossover rather than an outright SUV.

Being based on the Baleno hatchback, the Fronx sports a similar cabin layout and we have no complaints on that front, given that the hatchback’s cabin is premium enough. The free-standing nine-inch infotainment screen takes up the centre stage and the rest of the features are also similar to hatchback, which gets a premium audio system, automatic climate control, sunroof, and 360-degree camera.

The theme for the upholstery is similar to that of the Grand Vitara but the material for it is normal fabric. Even on the safety front, Maruti has left no stone unturned as it gets six airbags, ESC, ABS with EBD, hill-descent control, and rear parking sensors.

Powertrain

The moment we’ve all been waiting for. Yes, Maruti has brought back the enthusiast-friendly 100PS 1-litre Boosterjet turbo petrol engine back to India. In its latest incarnation, the powertrain is paired to a mild-hybrid system (first time), which works in conjunction with the gasoline unit to belt out an output of 100PS and 149Nm. Power is delivered to the front wheels via a five-speed manual or a six-speed automatic transmission.

Another engine option on offer is the Baleno’s existing 1.2-litre Dual Jet naturally aspirated (NA) petrol engine with an output 90PS and 113Nm. This unit gets a five-speed manual and an AMT option, which deliver the engine’s power to the front wheels.

Expected launch and price

With an expected starting price tag of around Rs 7 lakh (ex-showroom), the SUV will rival the likes of the Hyundai Venue, Nissan Magnite, Kia Sonet, Tata Nexon, Mahindra XUV300 and the Renault Kiger. It’s expected to go on sale in India soon,