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.
The Chery Tiggo 4 – available in non-hybrid or full-hybrid guise – is one of the closest rivals to the new Suzuki, along with other models, such as the Mazda CX-3, Toyota Yaris Cross, Kia Stonic, Hyundai Venue and Mahindra XUV 3XO.
MORE: 2025 Suzuki Fronx price and specs – New budget SUV starts below $30,000
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.
MORE: 2025 Chery Tiggo 4 Hybrid price to start from $29,990
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.
Standard equipment in both models includes wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, keyless entry and start, autonomous emergency braking (AEB), adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitoring, speed sign recognition, and front and rear parking sensors.
The non-hybrid Tiggo 4 has five-star ANCAP safety rating under the latest 2023 to 2025 testing criteria – based on the result of the related Tiggo 7 Pro midsize SUV – while the Fronx is yet to be assessed.
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.
MORE: 2025 Chery Tiggo 4 Pro Ultimate review
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.
MORE: 2025 Suzuki Fronx SUV mild hybrid due mid-year to tackle ZS, Haval Jolion and Tiggo 4 Pro
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.
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