2024 Suzuki Fronx

2024 Suzuki Fronx - Design Review

Overall Grade = C
​AVERAGE​

Front End: C
    Good: Lots of character
    Bad: Split screen grille
Rear End: D+
    Good: Wide shoulders
    Bad: Stiff upper lip
Side: C
    Good: Comfortable appearance
    Bad: Wrong wheel choice
Overall Appeal: B- 
    Good: Fun spirit
    Bad: Will blend into the crowd​

​​​Score: 53.04%
Grade: C
Rating: AVERAGE
AutoLooks Rating: 5.3 out of 10

Front End: 53.04%
Rear End: 45.17%
Side: 53.71%
Overall Appeal: 63.48%

AutoLooks Buy List: YES
Recommended Tuner: YES
Trent Setter: YES
Future Classic: POSSIBLE
Stock Value: INCREASE

                Suzuki is a name you remember if you have ever owned one.  Their products are synonymous with long lasting and dependability.  Besides that, we all know they are small products.  Even though they have left my home market behind, their products can still be seen roaming around, even after over a decade.  Saturn, Hummer and Pontiac’s have all but disappeared from the roads, but those small Suzuki’s are still kicking.

                With small on their side along with Toyota now, it seems that Suzuki is showing no signs of slowing down.  From its new Jimny to the its SX4 replacement, Suzuki is still going strong in the markets its still in.  And when you’re the biggest small car manufacture in the largest small car market, then maybe there’s a reason you are still around.

​                Suzuki has had some odd cars in its past, but today it is making up for that.  From the release of the Kizashi sedan, Suzuki has been making better on their designs.  Gone are the days of the bland Swift styling which once graced both Suzuki and GM products. Today their products are middle to above class designs which showcase what you can do in a small package, when you do it right.  Their new Fronx CUV is by no way an exception to this new fact.  It is what we have come to expect from Suzuki, as they keep moving forward.

                With a switch to thin running lights, Suzuki has been able to make the front ends of their products a lot better.  Gone are the oversized, bland bubble lights.  Those are now the standard night time head lights, where as the daytime running lights are more on the sinister side.

                Unlike the competition, Suzuki has been able to keep up with the growing interest in sport appeal.  This is not lost on the Fronx, s the lower front spoiler acts as both a skid plate and spoiler which blends well with the lower sill protection.  And if blending is where you want to be, the head lights may seem a bit off, but they do follow the X-inspired front character lines, which define the entire front end.
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                From the splitter to the hood, this X incorporates nearly every aspect of the front end.  Our only fault is that the grille seems to be split on where it should go. Should it follow the accent plate for the logo, or should it follow the character X.  it couldn’t decide either, as it follows both.  Hopefully this is fixed on the refresh.

                Clean flowing lines are now in and it seems that Suzuki wants to take advantage of this.  Although it does have an issue with blending its character flow, the side still has enough to keep it clean where it counts.  Unfortunately, this is lost when the wheel arches meet the body, as they are trying to enter on their own terms.  This has created a break line between it and the body, giving us the illusion of two separate worlds.

                Similar to everyone else, flat plastic is becoming king again and Suzuki is not immune to this.  They were one of the original companies to sport this feature back in the eighties, but today, it seems that adding on aluminum accents is what makes it a bit different.  News flash, its does not.
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                We could ask if Suzuki could make the wheels a bit bigger, as they are a bit undersized for this product.  A bit more in the size department along with some darker spaces and the rims would be a whole lot better.  They do make us feel that this vehicle does have a comfortable ride, but let’s see what the testers have to say about that.

                Out back Suzuki really starts to show off its off-road abilities, where you will find an oversized rear skid plate.  This does help with rearward damage from backroads and parking lots, but is a bit too much for this small rear.  A downsize in both this and the accent trim around it would definitely help the overall appeal.

                Suzuki has done a good job with its sport appeal though, as the rear does contain hard edges which create wider side flares.  This gives us the illusion of a low and road hugging appearance. Something we all love in the looks department.  They could have done away with the flat bumper line though, as this would have been better blended into the rear body work, leaving the skid plate to do bumper duty.
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                Small windows and spoiler sit above what appears to be a 3D tail light.  This of which is somewhat 3D in appearance, but not in any way a true 3D light.  The dark aspects help to make the rear light stand out, but overall, the layout and design of the light is rather plain.  Let’s remove the centre line and create two separate lights here.

                On the overall appeal, the Fronx is sure to win the hearts of many customers, as its sporting looks and utility appeal will bring both urban and suburban adventures to the brand.  We just dream that their partner Toyota will help them come back to the north American market, as my SX4 is getting rather old and I would really love a Suzuki to replace it with.

Everett J.
​#autolooks

​​COMPETITION:
Hyundai Kona - 45.57%
Kia Seltos - 55.03%
Nissan Kicks - 55.48%
Toyota Urban Cruiser Hyryder - 51.09%