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When I first saw the Suzuki Fronx Hybrid parked in the driveway, I didn’t expect to be planning my outfit around it. But then I opened the door.
The interior, with its Bordeaux red and black colour scheme, feels bold, a little luxe, and almost it-girl fashion-led. So naturally I matched my outfit to the trim (life’s too short not to wear bordeaux red when you can).
The Fronx is compact, but it doesn’t feel cramped. The 9.0-inch infotainment touchscreen sits proudly in the middle of the dash, paired with a head-up display and, unlike so many other cars on the market, the Fronx still boasts physical buttons you can easily access.
There’s wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, plus enough charging ports to keep all your gadgets alive. You don’t feel like you’re in a ‘budget’ SUV here; the tech feels big-car.
Boot space and lifestyle test
My life at the moment is full of moving houses, renovations, wedding planning, non-stop working, park runs with the dogs and zipping around Melbourne to and fro.
So forget the clichéd grocery-run boot test, because groceries are non-existent right now and someone needs to delete the food delivery apps from my phone.
The real test was whether I could fit my full photography kit in the boot, including lights, bags, and tripods. And was it possible? You bet.
With the flexible floor panel, everything slotted in neatly. You simply lift the floor covering and, voila, you have instantly deepened your boot space!
It’s not the biggest boot in the class, but the extra depth makes it surprisingly practical, and if you need even more just fold the rear seats down and it’s perfect.
The other test? My two large Labradors. They both sat comfortably in the back seats, tails wagging, with room to spare. If a car passes both the ‘camera gear’ and ‘dog mum’ tests, it earns serious lifestyle points.
City driving and parking
Melbourne CBD can be a nightmare with its tight parking spots, trams, narrow laneways, and parallel parks the size of yoga mats. But this is where the Fronx shines.
Its steering is light and nimble, and the ultra-tight turning circle of just 9.8m makes squeezing into side streets genuinely stress-free, and prevents you feeling inconvenienced while parking on a busy street.
The 360-degree camera deserves a special mention. It gives you the kind of all-angles confidence that makes even the tightest spots feel doable.
As someone who usually avoids multi-storey carparks at all costs for fear of those tight spots and being blocked in, I actually didn’t mind it in the Fronx thanks to its 360-degree view.
On the freeway
Out of the city, the Fronx settles well into smooth, easy cruising. The hybrid system helps keep fuel use impressively low, Suzuki claims around 4.9L/100km, which is very kind to the wallet. On my freeway stints it felt efficient, quiet, and composed.
And if you want a bit more, press the Sport button and you get just enough punch to zip onto on-ramps or overtake with confidence.
It’s not pretending to be a sports car, but the extra urgency gives you that little grin when you want it, and it makes driving fun!
The driving feel
So, what’s it like behind the wheel more generally? Honestly… it’s easy. That might sound too simple, but it’s the truth.
The Fronx isn’t trying to be dramatic or overpowered. It’s light, predictable, and easy to drive. In the chaos of Melbourne traffic, that’s exactly what you want.
You don’t finish a trip feeling drained, you finish it feeling like the car quietly had your back the whole time.
It’s the kind of “fits into your life” driving feel. No whiplash, no over-engineering, but smooth enough that you barely think about it, and that’s a compliment.
Everyday comforts
Inside, the Fronx packs in some thoughtful features. Heated seats are a luxury in winter, and I liked the way everything was intuitive without being overwhelming.
There’s a head-up display so you don’t need to glance down at your speed, and the touchscreen is simple to navigate.
The cabin itself feels more premium than you’d expect at this price point (under $30k drive-away). The mix of textures and the strong design details keep it interesting, while remaining practical for everyday use.
Safety and reliability
Safety tech is generous. You get adaptive cruise, lane-keeping, blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert in higher grades.
For city and suburban driving, those little alerts are reassuring, especially when dodging trams or navigating roundabouts with cyclists flying past.
Suzuki backs all this with a five-year warranty and five years of roadside assist, which when combined with its reputation for reliability, makes the Fronx a smart bet for people who want a fuss-free SUV that just works.
The verdict
The Suzuki Fronx Hybrid isn’t about showing off or flexing numbers. It’s about being smart, stylish, and practical enough to carry your lifestyle with you.
Whether that’s camera bags, Labrador rides, tight-spot parking, or just matching your outfit to the interior trim, the Fronx slots in seamlessly.
For under $30k, you get big-car tech, small-car agility, hybrid efficiency, and Suzuki reliability.
It’s not trying to be the flashiest SUV on the block, but it’s quietly the one that makes the most sense.
And sometimes, the smartest choice is the one that just makes your everyday better.