Here in India, the Maruti Fronx is certainly the toughest-rival of the Tata Punch, but it’s even sold in the UAE, where it has gained good traction
Made-in-India vehicles have suddenly gained a lot of traction in recent times, especially in the entry-level segment of the UAE market. One of these vehicles is the Suzuki Fronx. In this article, our friend Tanmoy shares how the UAE-spec Baleno-based crossover differs from the version sold here in India. Read on to find out what’s different.
Difference in Price
| Maruti Suzuki Fronx | UAE-Spec Suzuki Fronx |
| Rs. 7.52 – 13.04 Lakh | 61,900 AED (Rs 14.10 Lakh) – 69,900 AED (15.94 Lakh) |
In the United Arab Emirates, the Suzuki Fronx is priced at 61,900 AED for the GL variant and 69,900 AED for the GLX variant. Upon conversion to Indian rupees, the GL variant costs approximately Rs 14.10 lakh, while the GLX variant is priced around Rs 15.94 lakh. In contrast, the Indian version is sold in many more variants and is a lot more accessible. With prices starting from Rs 7.52 lakh, it costs almost half over here. But let’s not forget the variants available in the UAE are equivalent to Zeta and Alpha. In our case, the Zeta and Alpha variants of the Fronx are priced at Rs 11.96 lakh and Rs 12.88 lakh (ex-showroom). These prices make the UAE-specced versions of the Fronx more expensive by a decent margin. So, I feel that the Indian buyers get a pretty good bang for the buck in comparison to what’s on offer here in the UAE.
Also Read: This is the first ‘SUV’ from Maruti to be Exported to Suzuki’s Home Market, Japan
Change in Specifications
| Maruti Suzuki Fronx | Max Power-Torque | UAE-Spec Suzuki Fronx | Max Power-Torque |
| 1.2 Petrol | 90 PS-113 Nm | 1.5 Petrol | 102 PS-137 Nm |
| 1.0 Turbo Petrol | 100 PS-147 Nm | – |
Unlike the Fronx sold in India, the UAE market receives only one engine option with manual and automatic transmission choices. This engine is the refined 1.5-litre K15C Dualjet, producing 102 BHP and 137 Nm of torque. While it may have slightly lower torque compared to the 1.0-liter Boosterjet unit, it delivers more power and exhibits the refinement inherent in a 4-cylinder unit. Transmission options include a 5-speed manual or a 6-speed torque converter automatic.
Variants and Features
Maruti Suzuki Fronx is available in multiple variant options in India, catering to diverse customer preferences and offering a range of features and specifications. However, in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), the availability of variants is relatively limited, with only two variants on offer: GL and GLX. These variants are comparable to the Zeta and Alpha variants sold in India, respectively. When comparing the features of the Indian and UAE spec Fronx, there are some notable similarities and differences. Both models come equipped with several desirable features, including-
- 360-degree camera
- 9-inch touchscreen
- Six airbags
- Push button start/stop
- Steering-mounted controls
- Alloy wheels
- HUD
- Dual-tone interior
- Wireless Smartphone charger
However, the UAE-spec Fronx lacks Suzuki’s connected car technology and the premium sound system from Arkamys, which are available in the Indian version. The GL variant also lacks a 4.2-inch colour MID screen which its Indian equivalent (Zeta variant) gets.
Also Read: Maruti Fronx Now Offers More Safety at Lower Price – Comparison with Tata Punch
Author’s Note
To me, it seems UAE car buyers are being shortchanged because of the lack of connected car technology or the premium sound system despite paying more than what people pay for essentially the same car in India. In fact, the Indian version even gets a punchier engine in the form of the 1.0-litre Boosterjet Turbo Petrol. However, let us not forget that with the bigger 1.5 litre engine, we get better refinement while not sacrificing the power or torque by much. So, a lack of some features notwithstanding, the Fronx remains a solid recommendation for UAE car buyers who need a compact car with enough power and comfort along with some SUV attributes.
