[SlowDough]

Originally Posted by McQueen

The higher GC isn't a necessity. The tallboy looks do not matter either.

I actually got confused after reading this review.

• The reviewer said that he found Fronx's suspension very mature, or enough to drive over a patchy highways without having to slow down. He emphasized that the bumps didn't bother him either. I wanted to know how this compares to the Baleno.
  
• He additionally mentioned that the Fronx felt "noticeably" heavier and more well built than the Baleno. Here, I wanted to confirm if those are true in general or there's a slight (cognitive) bias as he was planning to buy the Fronx (and eventually did so). I doubt if the 10 kg weight difference in favour of Fronx Delta+ along with a higher CG really does that, or the opposite!

This was me :P My family hated my love for the Fronx, yet they all felt the same difference in build quality and comfort that I had felt. But honestly, if I was on your side, I would have gone to the showroom and tried them together. As humans, no reviewer can tell you without any bias and you cannot tell the difference through a spec sheet comparison either.

Another note: See the difference in steering tuning. My close friend has a Baleno 2023 Feb model. I did a 2 hour PDI on it. The steering feel, especially the return, isn't as good either.

[McQueen]

Originally Posted by SlowDough

Another note: See the difference in steering tuning. My close friend has a Baleno 2023 Feb model. I did a 2 hour PDI on it. The steering feel, especially the return, isn't as good either.

Hehe yes, it's you. I am actually assisting someone and I can't find time when both of us will be free to take a TD together. They know that they'll get one of the two but aren't sure which one to go for. Hence, I came here to seek some guidance. Thanks a lot for all these details. Helps me a lot!

[shankar.balan]

Originally Posted by GTO

I'd pick the Fronx over the Baleno. Even though it's priced at a pretty premium over the Baleno.
.

I agree. If I were in the market choosing between these two, I too would go for the Fronx, for the exact same reasons that you quoted.
Its a good evolution over the Baleno and indeed that Turbo engine and nice AT makes all the difference.

[007maverick]

Originally Posted by McQueen

In terms of absorption or stability or lesser chances of scaping? (I feel the absorption will be similar, the stability will relatively decrease and the chances of scraping will be lesser.. but I'm strictly interested in knowing about the absorption rate and general stability at higher speeds. In relative terms, that is.)

I don't know - that's what I expected as well. The reviews had varying opinions due to Fronx's allegedly stiffer suspension, hence the question.

The people I'm assisting tested the Amaze and didn't like its interior or the dealership, and were slightly concerned about Honda's diminishing presence in the country.

Test drive both the vehicles yourself and decide !

Honda doesn't look to be like a GM case in India. Again don't just go by public opinion.
I had tested Amaze and found it to be an excellent car in terms of mechanicals. Agree the interiors are not exiting. I opted for i20 Asta (O) MT since it ticked more boxes from my list of requirement. Surprisingly Maruti guys didn't had enough patience to do a follow-up for selling Baleno / Fronx. I was also not very keen for buying Maruti again !

[McQueen]

Originally Posted by SlowDough

I have a Fronx Alpha Turbo AT and I have driven 4500 km.

1. Suspension feel - Not wobbly like Brezza, not too hard edged like older Kia Seltos. Perfect balance - comfortable yet very, very sporty. Body role seems negligible and I am always pushing myself in the corners like I have never before. On highways, I do not have to slow down for the sake of losing stability. However, on very sharp rumble strips, it triggers my dash cam - that much of a hard edge you will definitely feel, but even with that, and the 5 odd family members I have driven it with, no one complained about the suspension. I've also actually ut it in a deep pothole in the city which was hidden in the dark - it would have hurt a Baleno for sure but the Fronx somehow survived. I pass it regularly and cannot pat myself enough for getting a better ground clearance. We had driven a Baleno during the test-drive process, and everyone in my family liked Fronx's suspension better.

2. City mileage: I've seen 8 to 10 kmpl in heavy congestion, 10-14 kmpl in medium congestion, 14-22 kmpl in low congestion. Highway mileage, if driven with a patient (not sedate) foot around 90 to 100 kmph, I get 18 to 20kmpl easily, even in manual mode with fast (but not silly) overtakes. I live in Delhi, most of my drives are on wide roads. I am a patient driver.

3. Build quality: The front doors, front hood feel much better built than the Baleno. I've compared them side by side and wouldn't have bought the Fronx if it had Baleno's build quality. Do compare yourself.

I finally tested both the vehicles. I'll write my experience:

1. Suspension feel -

• The Fronx's suspension is stiffer than that of the Baleno. Naturally, the Baleno absorbed potholes much better albeit the thud sound was negligibly more in it.
• As far as body-roll is concerned, both cars have it. The Baleno felt slightly spongier when I did an "S" at 65 kmph. The Fronx felt more planted but the centrifugal force was felt for a negligibly longer duration.

2. Mileage - No clue but should be close.

3. Build quality - The thuds felt less hollow in the Fronx as you rightly pointed out. However, the weight difference isn't much.

4. Steering centering - This one didn't match your observation at all - not even in the slightest. I tested this at both low and high turning speeds at both 90 degree turns and u-turns. The result was always the same - Baleno's steering centered much better.

Overall, I felt that the Baleno Alpha MT (1.2L NA) is a better city car over the Fronx Delta Plus MT (1.2L NA) due to its softer suspensions and more useful features, the latter of which comes at a premium in the Fronx. The ABC and overall ergonomics didn't bother me - although I felt Baleno's clutch to be a bit hard and travels quite some distance. The Baleno's brakes felt more sensitive too.

[SlowDough]

Originally Posted by McQueen

4. Steering centering - This one didn't match your observation at all - not even in the slightest. I tested this at both low and high turning speeds at both 90 degree turns and u-turns. The result was always the same - Baleno's steering centered much better.

About the steering, time for me to call my friend and drive her Baleno again :P Glad that you tried both! I hope Maruti hasn't fixed Brezza's steering in the meantime - it was the main reason why I rejected that car.