Even with a deficit of almost 500cc, Maruti Suzuki Fronx 1.0L turbo has more oomph than the 1.5L NA petrol motor on Grand Vitara
The first-ever coupe vehicle from Maruti Suzuki has been unveiled in the form of Fronx. It is based on Maruti’s highest-seller Baleno premium hatchback. It is a radically handsome vehicle and ahead of launch, has reached dealerships. Thanks to ‘The Car Show’ channel, we now have a side-by-side perspective of Fronx with Grand Vitara. As denoted by their very segments, both Grand Vitara and Fronx vary in size. Grand Vitara is over 4.3m in length, while Fronx adheres to sub 4m vehicle bracket. This post realises how Fronx differs from its bigger sibling.
Fronx Vs Grand Vitara – Two Modern SUVs From Maruti
Even though Grand Vitara is currently Maruti’s flagship, we have to say Fronx is a better-looking product. Both Fronx and Grand Vitara get a similar front design in the form of a thick bull horn-like chrome element splitting their grille horizontally, Nexa-specific ice-cube effect DRLs doubling as turn indicators and body cladding.
Fronx gets a triple LED reflector headlight, while Grand Vitara gets a projector unit. From the sides, Fronx takes a handsome coupe-ish profile, while Grand Vitara stays mostly upright. From the rear, both take a similar approach, but different execution. Both have LED light bars, but it is continuous in Fronx, while it gets split by Suzuki logo in Grand Vitara.
Comparison in Size
As opposed to Fronx vs Brezza comparison we made earlier, there are size differences between Fronx and Grand Vitara. Grand Vitara is 4345 mm long, 1795 mm wide, 1645 mm tall and has a wheelbase of 2600 mm. In contrast, Fronx is 3995 mm long, 1765 mm wide, 1550 mm tall and has a wheelbase of 2520 mm.
Size aside, there are stark differences in features list. For starters, Grand Vitara gets a panoramic sunroof, rear disc brakes, projector LED headlights, 17” alloys, a digital instrument console, leatherette upholstery, rear armrest with cupholders and more. Fronx lacks a sunroof altogether and lacks some of the premium features as well. Common features between the two include a HUD, a 9″ touchscreen infotainment display with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a 360-degree camera, three individual headrests in rear bench, automatic climate control, 6 airbags and more.
What Powers These Two SUVs
One would think that Grand Vitara will be ahead in every sense. However, Fronx does leave (literally) Grand Vitara behind where performance is concerned. The 1.0L BoosterJet petrol engine with Fronx is capable of making 99 bhp and 147.6 Nm. When compared to 101 bhp and 136.8 Nm of Grand Vitara’s 1.5L NA petrol, power is just as much as, but torque is more with Fronx.
Coupled with the lighter weight of Fronx (around a ton), Grand Vitara would lag behind in outright performance. Fronx gets another engine option in the form of 1.2L NA K12 petrol unit making 88 bhp and 113 Nm of torque. Grand Vitara gets a strong hybrid option with a slightly detuned engine making 91 bhp and 122 Nm, assisted with 79 bhp and 141 Nm electric motor.
Maruti could have offered the Fronx with rear disc brakes. We say this because Fronx is essentially the spiritual successor of the now discontinued Baleno RS. To compensate for the extra power from its 1.0L BoosterJet engine, Maruti had offered rear disc brakes Baleno RS. Fronx has to do with regular drum brakes and skinny tyres wrapped to its 16” diamond-cut finish alloys.
