The big number of Fronx SUVs Suzuki sold in 1 month in South Africa

The Suzuki Fronx is off to a great start in South Africa, selling a respectable 302 units in its first month despite only being on the market for two weeks.

This means that, within this very short timeframe, the Baleno-based crossover managed to earn the accolade of the brand’s sixth best-selling vehicle, understandably losing out to well-established favourites like the Ertiga, S-Presso, and Swift.

Responding to the market

The Fronx is an important vehicle in Suzuki’s local stable, serving as its new entry-level crossover with a starting price of R279,900.

It is one of two replacements that the Japanese automaker has introduced to the market this year to make up for the loss of one of its most successful models, the Vitara Brezza.

The Brezza and its architectural twin, the Toyota Urban Cruiser, were two of the most popular cars in the country which was largely attributed to their affordable price tag that clocked in below the R300,000 mark.

It therefore came as a big surprise when both carmakers announced that they would be discontinuing these models, which had only been on the market for around two years, and that they would instead be bringing in new vehicles to replace them.

For context, one year ago in August 2022, the Vitara Brezza was the sixth-best-selling crossover in South Africa with 636 units, while the Urban Cruiser was number one with a staggering 1,854 units sold.

Since then, the companies have taken those models off the market and have instead introduced a total of three new vehicles, the Grand Vitara, the second-gen Urban Cruiser, and the Suzuki Fronx.

While Toyota’s new model may share the same name as its predecessor, it is actually known as the Hyryder in other markets and is based on the Grand Vitara, meaning it has less in common with the old version than its name may imply.

The key factor here is their price, because while the old Cruiser had a starting tag of R283,200, the new vehicle is sitting at R329,400. It’s a similar story with Suzuki, where the Brezza’s R262,900 went up by R77,000 to reach the Grand’s R339,900 sticker.

Both of these new vehicles are certainly popular, but the raised barrier to entry has undoubtedly had an impact as the new Urban Cruiser sold 523 units in August 2023, while the Grand Vitara moved 253 units –  a noticeable step down from what their counterparts were once achieving.

This is why the Fronx is a big deal, both for Suzuki and the South African motoring scene as a whole, as its sub-R300,000 price point makes it a valuable contender in a dwindling segment.

In half a month, the Fronx managed to outsell the Grand Vitara with 302 units versus the latter’s 253 units, and it also beat the Grand’s sales in its own launch month back in April, where it moved 142 units.

It suggests that Suzuki has found a model to win back audiences disappointed by the departure of the Brezza – something that Toyota may be keen to replicate.

While no official announcement has been made, a recent trademark filing suggests that Toyota is working on a vehicle called the Urban Cruiser Taisor, which it is speculated will be the company’s answer to the Fronx to cater to the underserved entry-level SUV market.