Maruti Suzuki Fronx Long Term Review, September 2023 Report

If you remember my last long-term update about the Maruti Suzuki Fronx then maybe you would say that my relationship with this coupe-SUV started with a strong crush, all the way back from the first time I saw it. It was probably the curves. Anyway… after spending time with the Fronx, a solid month, I have borne witness to a side of the Fronx that maybe isn’t all that appealing. It’s a classic case of a car that’s hot on the outside but needy from the inside, if you know what I mean – the usual habits of anything that’s curvy and sexy at the same time. But does that mean I don’t want it? Of course I do, look at it!

But in the spirit of being a critique, I have to give equal importance to the good and the bad alike. And if there’s an area where the Fronx can improve, it has to be the infotainment system experience. Don’t get me wrong, it’s a great unit with good touch response, clear graphics and not once did it hang or freeze during its usage. It even comes with wireless Android Auto and wireless Apple CarPlay support, along with a host of connected features to explore. And since the car comes with niceties such as automatic headlamps, it knows when the outside world has gone dark and it’s time to turn the headlights on – which it does. But it forgets to dim the infotainment system – all nine inches of it! So not only are you blinded by the good looks when you are standing outside the Fronx, you are blinded on the inside too in case you turn on the car at night and the display comes on in all its bright glory. Yes, I tried fixing it through the settings but the automatic screen dimming feature is a hit and miss. Additionally, it also sometimes throws a tantrum and decides to take away music audio level control and instead only adjusts the notification sound level through the volume adjusters, both on the screen as well as from the steering controls. Thankfully there is a physical mute button on the steering and this issue can be fixed by restarting the car.

But its not been all bad, not even close. It’s just that the Fronx is so good in all other areas that the glitchy infotainment system stands out. However, during the past month, I got to drive some other SUVs as well, most of which you can see in this month’s issue itself. And what stood out were the driving ergonomics of the Fronx. Stepping back into it after some other sub Rs-20 lakh SUV makes you realise that Maruti Suzuki has aced the ergonomics and everything feels just right. Sure, it may not be as high as other compact SUVs but it surely is the most comfortable one. The Fronx, then, makes you adore it in many ways but also displeases you a couple of times a week. But… you can’t walk away angry. Maybe, it’s those curves...

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