In all of the months I’ve had the Fronx, I one way or the other by no means managed to slot in a protracted, out-of-town drive. A weekend journey to a farm keep close to Pune lastly gave the Fronx the chance to stretch its legs. The drive was easygoing as a result of that’s how the Fronx rolls. Its 1.2-litre naturally aspirated petrol engine is tuned to offer its finest at decrease speeds, which you’d sometimes expertise within the metropolis. Out on the freeway, the engine and AMT gearbox bought the Fronx up to the mark in, properly, a relaxed method. It’s high-quality, actually, however that feeling of getting extra energy in reserve simply isn’t there. The climb up the Lonavala Ghat solely highlighted this. The punchier Fronx Turbo with the Boosterjet engine is value a glance when you frequent highways usually. 

AMT brings in comfort however it’s important to adapt your driving model to get the very best out of it.

Also, I want the cabin was quieter. It isn’t one thing I famous within the metropolis, however tyre noise did elevate decibel ranges significantly over the Mumbai-Pune expressway. Props to the AC, although, which put up a valiant struggle in opposition to the oppressive warmth exterior. The AC is fast to chill the cabin and maintains the temperature with out the necessity to fiddle with settings or blower pace. Remarkable as ever was the gasoline effectivity. I noticed a real-time financial system readout of 18kpl!

In town or out on the freeway, gasoline financial system has been a spotlight.

The freeway journey did draw my consideration to some lacking options, although. These are gadgets out there on the Fronx Turbo (bought in larger Zeta and Alpha trims) however not on the Fronx 1.2 that’s on provide in decrease Sigma, Delta and Delta+ kinds. Cruise management, as an illustration, was missed on the freeway, and I’m usually not snug with no rear wash/wipe— monsoons or not. I now consider wi-fi Android Auto and Apple CarPlay ought to solely be provided on cars with wi-fi telephone charging, too. As handy because the characteristic is (Maruti’s 7-inch touchscreen is fast to attach), wi-fi display projection actually saps the telephone’s battery. And when you’re not paying consideration, you’ll attain your vacation spot with a depleted battery—not what you’d need when all the small print of your keep and level of contact are in your cellular. Note to self: all the time preserve a USB wire helpful. 

Thankfully, this was only a weekend getaway, and cabin baggage had been all that we had. Airport runs within the Fronx have confirmed to be a check of energy. The excessive loading lip required some would possibly to load a big suitcase in. Luggage house, nonetheless, is nice for a car this dimension.

Luggage room is nice however excessive lip makes loading/unloading a process.

There’s nothing new to report about life again within the metropolis. It’s a car that feels at dwelling within the each day grind and doesn’t ask an excessive amount of of you. The engine is peppy sufficient, and adopting a relaxed driving model makes the AMT gearbox do its job properly. I’ve realized to stay round its quirks. For one, the steep climb out of my basement parking has the gearbox aggressively downshifting to first, and switching to handbook mode helps. AMT gearboxes, typically, aren’t pretty much as good as different automatics and require you to adapt to their quirks.

I solely skilled the rear seat as soon as over a brief hop for lunch. And yup, I, too, sat on the seat belt solely to grasp it when it was time to belt up. You see, the Fronx oddly lacks load sensors on the again, which suggests the seat belt reminders buzz for 90 seconds each time you begin the car, no matter whether or not the seats are occupied. The workaround is to maintain the rear seat belts clipped in always. I’ve needed to play the function of seat-belt reminder when my passengers get in. My different pet peeve was the absence of a entrance seat height-adjust characteristic—once more provided solely on the Fronx Turbo. I simply couldn’t discover the best driving place. 

Even a yr after its launch, the Fronx continues to attract eyeballs, with Autocar India’s bike editor, Rishaad Mody, being the most recent to reward it. “It looks like a mini Urus,” he remarked. Heck, I nonetheless give the car a re-assessment from time to time. Pride of possession? The Fronx ticks that field for positive.

  Even a yr after launch, the chunky and squat Fronx grabs consideration.

In the final report, I discussed a temperamental left rear window. Call it good vibes or no matter, the problem appears to have resolved itself. Nothing else has labored itself free or malfunctioned over the 8,500km the Fronx has clocked.  

So, after a great few months of dwelling with the Fronx, is it a car I’d advocate? Some issues might be higher, positive, however my reply could be a powerful sure.

Also see:

Maruti Suzuki Fronx long run evaluate; 7,000km report

Maruti Suzuki Fronx long run evaluate, 5,000km report