There is no doubt that the turbo-petrol + 6AT is probably the best pick but that on-road price is dreadful.
BHPian Aditya recently shared this with other enthusiasts.
The Maruti Fronx (read the full review here), is offered with two petrol engine options – a 1.2-litre naturally aspirated unit and a 1.0-litre turbocharged motor. You can also choose between a 5-speed manual transmission, an AMT or a 6-speed torque converter AT. The chart below should give you a better idea.
So if you were in the market for the Maruti Fronx, which engine and gearbox combination would you pick & why?
The 1.0-litre, 3-cylinder Boosterjet turbo-petrol engine puts out 99 BHP & 148 Nm. This unit is the more exciting of the two and delivers brisk performance. It is available with a 5-speed manual transmission or a 6-speed torque converter automatic transmission. You can read our drive report of the MT in detail here. The 1.0-litre turbo-petrol is not available in the base variant of the Fronx.
The 1.2-litre, 4-cylinder naturally aspirated petrol engine develops 89 BHP & 113 Nm. This engine is more refined compared to the Boosterjet because of the extra cylinder. It is not as fast as the turbo-petrol, but it is more fuel efficient. It is available with the option of a 5-speed manual transmission and a 5-speed AMT. You can read our drive report of the MT and AMT in detail here. This naturally aspirated petrol is not available in the top variant of the Fronx.
Here’s what GTO had to say on the matter:
Am so glad that Maruti brought the turbo-petrol back into the fray! That, and a proper 6-speed torque converter AT. No AMTs for me, ever.
Here’s what BHPian Shreyans_Jain had to say on the matter:
The 1.2 NA petrol is rather underwhelming in this category of cars where turbo petrol generally rules. The AMT is lame. With the booster jet, the 6AT should be the transmission of choice. The problem is, it is extremely overpriced. They want a 2L rupee on-road premium for what is a rather average slushbox, which is totally unjustified. Net net, this is a car best bought as a manual. NA or turbo, depending on budget.
Overall, while the lower variants are still just about acceptable value for money, the car on the whole is pretty meh. Better to spend a little more for Brezza or Nexon or Sonet.
Here’s what BHPian bijims had to say on the matter:
The 1.0 L Boosterjet with Torque Converter AT gearbox seems to be the best version of the Fronx but with pricing the Fronx Zeta AT is in the same territory as the Kia Sonet HTX DCT and the Fronx Alpha AT is at par with the Hyundai Venue SX(O) DCT, I feel the Korean twins are more value for money than the Fronx in this segment.
To add to that the Venue S(O) DCT sells for around 62k less than what the Zeta AT Fronx costs ex-showroom. So, the Fronx really does have its work cut out for itself.
Here’s what BHPian ralto had to say on the matter:
Echoing the same sentiment. There is no doubt that Turbo petrol + 6AT is probably the best pick but that on-road price is dreadful. I visited Nexa a few times to get a test drive, but the car was unavailable. And when they finally announced the price, I just dropped the car from the consideration list entirely and moved a segment below to Ignis (MT/AMT).
Keyword: 2023 Maruti Fronx: What's the best engine & gearbox combination to buy?