This small Suzuki SUV has arrived over here from Indonesia with a not-exactly-small price tag…
While Suzuki’s return to Malaysia has thus far focused on niche models like the off-roading Jimny and pocket-rocket Swift Sport, it now appears that the Japanese automaker is eyeing a return to the mass market. And leading that charge is its new Fronx, which has just been launched locally… albeit with a rather steep RM 147,888 sticker price.
Now to be blunt from the outset, this Indonesian-imported Fronx is essentially an Ativa-sized compact crossover wearing something close to a Corolla Cross-sized price tag. It does however come with a few neat exterior touches to help square that uncomfortable circle, such as its LED taillight bar that some might say is vaguely reminiscent of the Lexus LBX.
Moving under the skin meanwhile, this (mild-)hybrid Fronx is powered by a 1.5-litre naturally aspirated engine with an integrated starter-generator (ISG) that delivers a modest 103 PS and 138 Nm of torque. Drive goes to the front wheels via a six-speed automatic transmission with paddle shifters, with Suzuki touting for its lithium-ion hybrid battery and 37-litre fuel tank combo as being capable of up to 700 km of WLTP-claimed range.
The Fronx rides on MacPherson struts up front and a torsion beam at the rear, paired with a generous 170 mm of ground clearance. This is despite it rolling on rather small (by today’s standards) 16-inch alloys. Another quirk underneath is that it still uses rear drum brakes and only four lug nuts per wheel. On one hand, this setup is perfectly adequate for such a light car; on the other, it does hint at cost-cutting for something edging close to RM 150k.
Inside the Fronx, twin physical driver dials are joined by a nine-inch touchscreen head unit with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Two-tone fabric and synthetic leather upholstery covers manually adjustable front seats, though Suzuki attempts to compensate for this with some premium features like a wireless charging pad and a heads-up display.
Helping justify this Fronx’s somewhat steep price too is a rather comprehensive ADAS suite, which includes adaptive cruise control, blind spot monitor, rear cross traffic alert, lane change assist, lane departure warning, lane departure prevention, lane keep assist and vehicle sway warning. High beam assist and hill hold control are also present, along with electronic stability control, ABS with EBD and brake assist, and six airbags.
That said, one final kicker regarding the price is that the Fronx only comes with a three-year/100,000 km warranty and a five-year/100,000 km hybrid battery warranty. Suzuki is nevertheless offering confirmed bookings made by 31 December 2025 a choice of either a RM 4,000 rebate, a genuine accessories package (roof rack, roof basket and door visors), or three years of free servicing.
A total of seven exterior colour choices are offered: Pearl Mellow Deep Red, Cool Black, Pearl Snow White and Magma Gray, plus three two-tone options — Rising Orange, Ice Grayish Blue and Savanna Ivory — each paired with a contrasting black roof.
