A host of affordable SUVs have been launched in the Indian market in the past few years given the buyers' inclination towards high-riding cars. The Maruti Suzuki Fronx and Hyundai Exter are two new SUVs launched this year as their respective brand's most affordable SUV offerings.
How do these two compact SUVs stack up against each other? Here's a detailed specifications and price comparison to help you find out the answer to that question, take a read -
DimensionsWhile the Maruti Suzuki Fronx is based on the Baleno, the Hyundai Exter is built on the same platform as the Grand i10 NIOS. Despite similar positioning, the two belong to different overlapping segments.
| Car | Hyundai Exter | Maruti Suzuki Fronx |
| Length | 3815 mm | 3995 mm |
| Width | 1710 mm | 1765 mm |
| Height | 1631 mm | 1550 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2450 mm | 2520 mm |
That said, the Fronx is 180 mm longer, 55 mm wider and has a 70 mm longer wheelbase than the Exter, which should result in slightly more space inside the cabin. However, the Fronx's coupe-like styling hampers headroom, with the Exter being 81 mm taller than the Maruti Suzuki crossover SUV.
PowertrainsPowering the Hyundai Exter is a sole 1.2-litre four-cylinder NA petrol engine putting out 83 PS power and 114 Nm torque, available with a 5-speed manual transmission and an optional 5-speed AMT with industry-first paddle shifters.
| Car | Hyundai Exter | Maruti Suzuki Fronx |
| Engine | 1.2L 4-cyl NA petrol | 1.2L 4-cyl NA petrol | 1.0L 3-cyl turbo petrol |
| Power | 83 PS | 90 PS | 100 PS |
| Torque | 114 Nm | 113 Nm | 148 Nm |
| Transmission | 5MT/5AMT | 5MT/5AMT | 5MT/6AT |
The Maruti Suzuki Fronx also gets a 1.2-litre four-pot NA petrol engine, making 90 PS and 113 Nm, available with 5MT and 5AMT gearboxes. Also on offer with the Fronx is a 1.0-litre three-cylinder turbocharged petrol engine making 100 PS and 148 Nm, mated to a 5-speed MT and an optional 6-speed torque converter AT.
Price| Car | Hyundai Exter | Maruti Suzuki Fronx |
| Ex-showroom price | Rs 6 lakh - Rs 10.10 lakh | Rs 7.46 lakh - Rs 13.13 lakh |
As a part of an introductory offer, the Hyundai Exter is priced from Rs 6 lakh, going all the way up to Rs 10.10 lakh. In contrast, the Maruti Suzuki Fronx is priced from Rs 7.46 lakh for the 1.2-litre NA petrol variants, going up to Rs 13.13 lakh (all prices, ex-showroom).
Which out of these two compact SUVs would be your pick? Let us know in the comments down below.
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