Sales for Suzuki Fronx paused in Australia after scoring just 1 star in ANCAP crash tests

The newly launched Suzuki Fronx small SUV has received a poor one-star safety rating from the Australasian New Car Assessment Program (ANCAP) following critical failures during independent crash testing. As a result, Suzuki has paused sales of the model in Australia and New Zealand while investigations are ongoing.

ANCAP testing highlighted serious issues with occupant protection, most notably during the full-width frontal crash test, where a rear passenger seatbelt retractor failed. This caused the test dummy to become unrestrained and strike the front seat, which ANCAP described as a rare and serious component failure. The safety body has advised that rear seats should not be used until the issue is rectified.

ANCAP also noted weak performance in other areas of structural protection during the crash assessment. Around 1,300 units of the Fronx have already been sold in Australia since its launch, raising concerns for existing owners and prospective buyers.

It is important to note that the Suzuki Fronx sold in Malaysia is a different specification. Australian market units are fully imported from India, while Malaysian models are CBU units sourced from Indonesia following the model’s local launch in November.

In contrast to the ANCAP result, the Fronx has performed well under ASEAN NCAP testing, where it achieved a full five-star safety rating. The SUV scored 29.37 out of 32 points in the Adult Occupant Protection category, with a stable passenger compartment recorded in frontal impact tests. Chest protection for both front occupants was rated as adequate, although protection for the driver’s right lower leg was assessed as marginal.

Locally, the Suzuki Fronx is priced from RM 147,888 and is powered by a 1.5-litre naturally aspirated petrol engine paired with a mild hybrid system. The setup produces 103 PS and 138 Nm and sends drive to the front wheels via a six-speed automatic transmission.