Suzuki's new Fronx mild-hybrid is launching in Australia at a similar time to Chery's full-hybrid Tiggo 4 – here's how the specs of the fuel-efficient city SUVs compare.
The battle of Australia's most affordable, fuel-efficient city SUVs has heated up with the recent addition of the mild-hybrid Suzuki Fronx, and a full-hybrid version of Chery's Tiggo 4.
Priced from $28,990 before on-road costs, but with a drive-away deal of less than $30,000 likely, the Fronx is Suzuki Australia's first new nameplate since it re-introduced the Ignis eight years ago, the model it is replacing.
Built in India, the Fronx will be offered in one variant in Australia at launch, with a 76kW/137Nm 1.5-litre non-turbo four-cylinder petrol engine matched to a 12-volt 'mild-hybrid' system to modestly cut fuel use.
It is a similar concept to the new-generation Swift hatchback, which is also sold exclusively as a mild-hybrid in Australia, but instead features a 1.2-litre three-cylinder non-turbo engine.
The Chinese-made Chery Tiggo 4 Hybrid, starting from $29,990 drive-away, uses a Toyota-style full-hybrid system, with a 71kW/120Nm 1.5-litre non-turbo four-cylinder petrol engine matched to an electric motor, for a 150kW/310Nm combined output – double the Fronx's outputs.
Despite the differences in their hybrid systems, the smaller and lighter Fronx is more fuel-efficient than the Tiggo 4 in ADR lab-testing, with a combined rating of 4.9 litres per 100 kilometres to the Chery's 5.4L/100km.
Compared to the entry-level Chery, the Fronx includes leather-accented seats and steering wheel, a 360-degree camera, a wireless smartphone charger, six speakers, and heated front seats as standard, which require stepping up to the $32,990 Tiggo 4 Hybrid Ultimate.
However, the Chery bites back with 10.25-inch infotainment touchscreen and instrument cluster displays – over a 9-inch touchscreen and 4.2-inch driver display – a front-centre airbag, 17-inch alloy wheels versus 16-inch, rain-sensing wipers, and more active safety tech.
The Ultimate adds a space-saver spare wheel – instead of the tyre repair kit of the Fronx and Tiggo 4 Hybrid Urban – a sunroof, a power-adjustable driver's seat, ambient interior lighting, and remote-controlled up/down windows.
Measuring 3995mm long, 1765mm wide and 1550mm tall with a 2520mm wheelbase, the Fronx is 335mm shorter, 65mm narrower and 105mm lower than the Tiggo 4 Hybrid, with an 84mm shorter wheelbase.
Its 3995mm length – identical to India's Mahindra XUV 3XO city SUV – allows the Fronx to fall into a lower tax category in its Indian domestic market, as vehicles longer than four metres incur a higher tax rate.
Boot space is rated at 304 litres in the Suzuki, while the Chery has a claimed 470-litre luggage capacity.
Customer deliveries of the 2025 Suzuki Fronx will commence in September – a few months behind schedule – while the 2025 Chery Tiggo 4 Hybrid is on sale now.
At around $30,000 drive-away, customers can also select the GWM Haval Jolion Premium Hybrid, while MG's current special offers list the ZS Hybrid+ as available from $32,990 drive-away.
Jordan is a motoring journalist based in Melbourne with a lifelong passion for cars. He has been surrounded by classic Fords and Holdens, brand-new cars, and everything in between from birth, with his parents’ owning an automotive workshop in regional Victoria. Jordan started writing about cars in 2021, and joined the Drive team in 2024.
