CAR Senior Writer Marius Boonzaier reports back after spending time with CAR’s range-topping Suzuki Fronx long-term test car over the holiday season.
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With the holiday season — and the several trips accompanying it — on the horizon, I headed to the office to plug in “my” iX1 long-termer for a much-needed recharge at the GridCars charging point at the CAR garage. Only 5% of charge, the lowest I’ve ever dared to drive the iX1 with, was left.
With the emissions-free crossover/SUV plugged in, I peeked into the garage to see what is available to drive before the BMW’s 66.5 kWh battery pack is replenished. Several were on offer, but the one I chose was CAR’s Lucent Orange Pearl Metallic long-term Suzuki Fronx, which, as time progressed, would become the car, along with the BMW, I’d spend most time in over the December/January 2024 holiday period.
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Having mostly driven a premium all-electric long-termer — between sampling several of the test cars that have passed through the CAR garage since its arrival in 2024 — it was refreshing getting behind the wheel of a value-oriented, petrol-powered vehicle.
I didn’t really have any plans for the holiday season, so my time with the Fronx predominantly comprised in-town driving, mostly to the surrounding beaches, such as Saunders’ Rocks Beach in Seapoint and Bakoven Beach. The Fronx’s boot, although fairly small (208 litres; tested), swallowed all my beach necessities — including a large umbrella, cooler box and beach bag — with room to spare.
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Finding parking in the Mother City over the festive season, especially when wanting to find a space as close to the beach as possible, can be a strenuous affair. However, thanks to the Fronx’s compact dimensions and the range-topping model’s 360-degree surround-view camera array, it was a cinch to manoeuvre it into even the tightest parking spot.
Bar the aforementioned beach trips, in addition to those to the shops and town-based friends and restaurants, the Fronx did, however, leave the confines of Cape Town a few times over the holiday, with Table Mountain becoming smaller in its rear-view mirror upon heading to Stellenbosch, Strand and the Northern Suburbs to visit friends and family. Simon’s Town, where I would spend New Year’s Eve with a friend, was also one of the destinations on the Fronx’s radar, or, rather, 9.0-inch, touch-enabled infotainment system, displaying the route via Google Maps.
As I seldomly drive to Simon’s Town’s side of Cape Town’s most famed natural landmark, I especially appreciated the Fronx’s smartphone screen-mirroring functionality, activated wirelessly or via USB. A wireless smartphone charging pad, sited below the automatic climate-control system’s switchgear, is also included with the flagship Fronx.
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Another noteworthy feature, with the mercury steadily rising, a friend seated on the 60:40-split rear bench especially appreciated the cool air provided by the Fronx’s aft vents. In addition, USB ports are sited below the latter items, allowing them to charge their phone after a day spent at the beach. Rear kneeroom isn’t class-leading, however, and the Fronx’s sloping roofline does encroach on headroom.
Travelling on the motorway did, however, unearth a few chinks in the Fronx’s armour. Owing to the automatic gearbox sporting only a quartet of cogs, the 77 kW/138 N.m 1.5-litre, four-cylinder petrol engine seemed to rev rather high, especially when wanting to maintain forward momentum at the national limit on inclines. However, as it was the holiday, I took a relaxed approach to driving and adjusted the cruise control to 110 km/h, listening to my favourite tunes as I went along.
However, with the Fronx tipping the scales at only a touch over one tonne, the K15B unit remains sufficiently punchy. Owing to its lightweight construction, wind gusts could, however, be felt on the motorway.
Over the couple of weeks I spent in the Fronx, I’ve managed an average fuel consumption figure of 6.7 L/100 km, a still respectable 1.0 L/100 km more than Suzuki’s claim. This allowed for a range of over 550 km, before the crossover’s rather small (37-litre) fuel tank had to be replenished.
Although I didn’t travel that many kilometres with the Fronx over the festive season, Suzuki’s in-vogue-styled crossover proved a worthy companion. It cuts a striking figure (one passerby commended the car’s exterior styling), is packed with big-car features and, bar the few qualms we had with its performance, it does ride well. It is no wonder there are so many on our roads.
