A proper head-to-head in South Africa — we cover price, performance,
petrol economy, safety and what it'll actually cost you to own each one long term.
Fronx starts ZAR 389995 cheaperFronx from ZAR 303,900 · Seltos from ZAR 389,995
Key Specs Side by Side
The specs that matter most — highlighted where one car leads.
Spec
Fronx
Seltos
Engine Power
77 kW
85 kW
Torque
138 Nm
260 Nm
Engine Size
1462 cc
1493 cc
Claimed Mileage
17.5 km/l
19.2 km/l
Ground Clearance
170 mm
190 mm
Boot / Load Bay
304 l
433 l
Airbags
6
6
Kerb Weight
970 kg
1430 kg
Seating Capacity
5
5
Warranty
5
7 Years / 150,000 km
= leads in this spec
The Bottom Line
Seltos has a slight advantage, but Fronx remains highly competitive.
Where They Actually Differ
Performance
Seltos
+14 pts
Efficiency
Seltos
+6 pts
Safety
Seltos
+18 pts
Practicality
Seltos
+11 pts
Ownership
Equal
What Each Car Gets Right (and Wrong)
Fronx
Strengths
Nothing stands out clearly here.
Weak Spots
Less powerful engine setup
Lower fuel efficiency
Less comprehensive safety features
Less practical in daily usage
Best suited to:General Use
🏆 Overall Winner
Seltos
Strengths
More powerful engine output
Better fuel efficiency
Stronger safety package
More practical for daily use
Weak Spots
No obvious weak spots to flag.
Best suited to:Highway DrivingFuel EfficiencyFamily Usage
Which One's Right for You?
Fronx
Buyers looking for a balanced all-round vehicle
Seltos
Drivers who prioritise strong highway performance and overtaking power
Buyers looking for better fuel efficiency
Families prioritising stronger safety equipment
Large families needing more practicality and usability
Full Specs, Side by Side
Spec
Fronx
Seltos
Model Introduced Year
2023
2020
Generation
First generation Fronx on modified Baleno/HEARTECT platform with raised ride height and SUV body; shares K15B engine with Baleno, Ertiga, XL6, and Grand Vitara; developed as Suzuki's response to the growing compact coupe-crossover segment
First generation (SP2); SA launch 2020; 2023 facelift model current
Facelift History
Launched in South Africa in 2023 as a new nameplate — no facelift has been released for the first generation globally as of 2025; the model is in the growth phase of its product lifecycle
2023 facelift with revised front and rear styling, updated ADAS suite and interior upgrades
Clear White, Aurora Black Pearl, Steel Grey, Gravity Blue, Intense Red, Pewter Olive, Glacier White Pearl (dual-tone on GT-Line)
Dealer Stock Note
Flagship grade in the South Africa lineup
Flagship grade in the South Africa lineup
Model Year
2026
2026
Production Status
published
published
Segment
SUV
SUV
Vehicle Type
SUV
SUV
Spec
Fronx
Seltos
Ground Clearance
170 mm
190 mm
Wheelbase
2520 mm
2610 mm
Length
3995 mm
4370 mm
Width
1765 mm
1800 mm
Height
1550 mm
1640 mm
Kerb Weight
970 kg
1430 kg
Gross Vehicle Weight
1420 kg
1920 kg
Seating Capacity
5
5
Boot Space
304 l
433 l
Towing Capacity
0 kg
-
Front Track Width
1510 mm
1570 mm
Rear Track Width
1510 mm
1560 mm
Turning Radius
5.1 m
10.6 m
Load Bed Length
304 l
433 l
Load Bed Width
-
-
Front Legroom
1043 mm
1030 mm
Rear Legroom
890 mm
860 mm
Front Headroom
975 mm
990 mm
Rear Headroom
955 mm
950 mm
Front Shoulder Room
1395 mm
1380 mm
Rear Shoulder Room
1370 mm
1330 mm
Boot Space Seats Folded
704 l
1385 l
Number of Doors
5
5
Max Payload
480 kg
-
Boot Volume
304 l
433 l
Doors
5
5
Seats
5
5
Fuel Tank Capacity
37 l
50 l
Gross Vehicle Mass Kg
1420 kg
1920 kg
Ground Clearance Max
170 mm
190 mm
Ground Clearance Min
170 mm
190 mm
Ground Clearance Mm
170 mm
190 mm
Height Mm
1550 mm
1640 mm
Length Mm
3995 mm
4370 mm
Loadbox Length Mm
304 l
433 l
Loadbox Width Mm
-
-
Payload Kg
480 kg
-
Cargo Volume
304 l
433 l
Tare Mass Kg
970 kg
1430 kg
Turning Circle
5.1 m
10.6 m
Turning Circle M
5.1 m
10.6 m
Width Mm
1765 mm
1800 mm
Boot Space Seats Folded
704 l
1385 l
Front Overhang
-
840 mm
Rear Overhang
-
920 mm
Spec
Fronx
Seltos
Engine
1.5L K15B 4-Cylinder Petrol
1.5 D4FE Inline-4 Diesel Turbo
Engine Type
Inline 4 Cylinder Naturally Aspirated
Inline 4 Cylinder Turbodiesel
Displacement
1462 cc
1493 cc
Cylinders
4
4
Valves per Cylinder
4
16
Power
77 kW
85 kW
Power @ RPM
6,000 rpm
4,000 rpm
Torque
138 Nm
260 Nm
Torque @ RPM
4,400 rpm
1,500 rpm
Fuel System
Multi-Point Fuel Injection (MPFI)
Common Rail Direct Injection
Turbocharger
-
Yes
Top Speed
175 km/h
175 km/h
0-100 km/h
13.0 sec
10.5 sec
Compression Ratio
10.5:1
16.0:1
Engine Position
Transverse Front-Mounted
Front Transverse
Cylinder Bore
74.0 mm
75.0 mm
Piston Stroke
85.1 mm
84.5 mm
Engine Code
K15B
D4FE
Engine Oil Capacity
3.7 l
4.5 l
Power
103 bhp
114 bhp
Fuel Grade Required
93 RON Unleaded Petrol
B7 Diesel
Cylinder Layout
Inline 4 (I4)
Inline 4 (I4)
Engine Aspiration
Naturally Aspirated
Turbocharged
Variable Valve Timing
VVT on Intake Camshaft
No
Maximum Engine RPM
6800 rpm
4,500 rpm
Engine Type Config
1.5L K15B 4-Cylinder Petrol
Inline 4 Cylinder (I4) DOHC 16-Valve Diesel
0–100 km/h
13.0 sec
10.5 sec
Battery Capacity
-
-
Charging Port
-
-
AC Charging Time
-
-
Engine Displacement
1462 cc
1493 cc
Engine Displacement Litres
1462 cc
1493 cc
EV Range
-
-
Acceleration 0 100
13.0 sec
10.5 sec
Combined System Power
-
-
Combined System Torque
-
-
Engine Config
1.5L K15B 4-Cylinder Petrol
1.5 D4FE Inline-4 Diesel Turbo
Engine Cylinders
4
4
Engine Displacement Cc
1462 cc
1493 cc
Engine Power kW
77 kW
85 kW
Engine Torque Nm
138 Nm
260 Nm
Engine Valves
4
16
Induction
Naturally Aspirated
Turbocharged
Max Power kW
77 kW
85 kW
Max Torque Nm
138 Nm
260 Nm
Maximum Power
77 kW
85 kW
Maximum Torque
138 Nm
260 Nm
Motor Position
-
-
Motor Power
-
-
Motor Torque
-
-
Motor Type
-
-
Power Assisted Steering
Electric Power Assisted Steering (EPAS)
Electric Power Assisted
Power kW Rpm
6,000 rpm
4,000 rpm
Active Exhaust
-
-
System Output
-
-
Torque Nm Rpm
4,400 rpm
1,500 rpm
Turbo Type
Naturally Aspirated
Turbocharged
Spec
Fronx
Seltos
Transmission
Automatic
Automatic
Drive Type
FWD
FWD
Drivetrain Layout
Front Wheel Drive
FWD
LSD Available
-
No
Transfer Case
-
-
Differential Lock
-
No
Paddle Shifters
-
Yes
Final Drive Ratio
4.388:1
3.63
Steering Turns Lock to Lock
2.8
15.1:1
Number of Gears
4 km/h
7 km/h
Transmission Type
Automatic
Automatic
Clutch Type
Single Dry Plate Diaphragm
Dry Dual Clutch
Drivetrain
FWD
FWD
Transmission
Automatic
Automatic
4WD Engagement
-
-
4WD Hi Range
-
-
4WD Lo Range
-
-
4WD Selector
-
-
Automatic Shift Paddles
-
Yes
Differential Type Front
-
-
Differential Type Rear
-
-
Front Differential Lock
-
-
Gearbox Type
Automatic
Automatic
Low Range
-
-
Axle Layout
FWD
FWD
Rear Differential Lock
-
-
Transfer Case Guard
-
-
Transmission Speeds
4 km/h
7 km/h
Spec
Fronx
Seltos
Claimed Mileage
17.5 km/l
19.2 km/l
City Mileage
14.3 km/l
15.6 km/l
Highway Mileage
20.8 km/l
22.2 km/l
Fuel Tank Capacity
37 l
50 l
Emission Standard
Euro 5
Euro 6
AdBlue Tank Capacity
-
No
Auto Start Stop
-
Yes
Average Fuel Consumption
5.7 l/100km
5.2 l/100km
Claimed Fuel Consumption
5.7 l/100km
5.2 l/100km
Fuel Efficiency
5.7 l/100km
5.2 l/100km
Real-world Mileage
17.5 km/l
19.2 km/l
AC Charging Power
-
-
Charging Port Type
-
-
Charging Time AC Full
-
-
Charging Time DC Fast 80pct
-
-
Charging Type
-
-
Combined Consumption
5.7 l/100km
5.2 l/100km
Combined Consumption L 100km
5.7 l/100km
5.2 l/100km
DC Charging Power
-
-
Fuel Economy Combined
5.7 l/100km
5.2 l/100km
Fuel Tank Litres
37 l
50 l
Fuel Type
Petrol
Diesel
Low Range Ratio
-
-
Combined Driving Range
-
-
Electric Consumption
-
-
Range Real World Highway
-
-
Range Real World Mixed
-
-
Range Wltp
-
-
Fuel Consumption Urban
-
6.4 l/100km
Fuel Consumption Extra Urban
-
4.5 l/100km
Low Fuel Warning
-
Yes
Spec
Fronx
Seltos
Airbags
6
6
ABS
Standard
Yes
Electronic Stability Control
Standard
Yes
Traction Control
Standard
Yes
Hill Descent Control
-
No
Hill Start Assist
Standard
Yes
Child Safety Lock
Standard
Yes
ISOFIX Mounts
2 Rear ISOFIX Points
Yes
Brake Assist
Standard
Yes
Tyre Pressure Monitor
Standard
Yes
Engine Immobiliser
Standard
Yes
Alarm System
Standard
Yes
Central Locking
Remote Central Locking
Yes
Side Impact Beams
Standard
Yes
Seatbelt Warning All Seats
All Seats
Yes
Speed Alert System
Standard — Audible Warning at 120 km/h
Yes
Pedestrian Detection AEB
-
Yes
Front Parking Sensors
-
Yes
Safety Rating
Not Independently Rated
5
Whiplash Protection
Active Head Restraints on Front Seats
Yes
Lane Change Warning
-
Yes
AEB
-
Yes
BA
Standard
Yes
Brake Override System
-
Yes
Curtain Airbags
-
Yes
Driver Airbag
6
Yes
EBD
Standard
Yes
Engine Immobiliser
Standard
Yes
Hill Hold
Standard
Yes
Passenger Airbag
6
Yes
Rear Cross Traffic Alert
-
Yes
Seatbelt Pretensioners
All Seats
Yes
Side Airbags
-
Yes
TCS
Standard
Yes
Blind Spot Monitoring
-
Yes
Knee Airbag
-
No
ABS EBD
Standard
Yes
Anti Theft Alarm
Standard
Yes
Driver Front Passenger Airbags
6
6
Driver Passenger Airbags
6
6
ESC With Traction Control
Standard
Yes
Fatigue Detection
-
Yes
Spec
Fronx
Seltos
Cruise Control
Standard
Yes
Adaptive Cruise Control
-
Yes
Lane Keep Assist
-
Yes
Lane Departure Warning
-
Yes
Blind Spot Monitoring
-
Yes
Rear Cross Traffic Alert
-
Yes
Parking Sensors
Rear Ultrasonic Sensors
Yes
Rear View Camera
360-Degree Surround View
Yes
360 Degree Camera
360-Degree Surround View Camera
Yes
Autonomous Emergency Braking
-
Yes
Driver Fatigue Alert
-
Yes
Traffic Sign Recognition
-
No
Auto Highbeam
-
Yes
Auto Lights
Standard
Yes
Auto Wipers
Standard
Yes
Drive Modes
-
Yes
EV Mode
-
No
Rear Parking Sensors
Rear Ultrasonic Sensors
Yes
Reverse Camera
360-Degree Surround View
Yes
Adaptive Cruise Control
-
Yes
Park Assist
-
Yes
Around View Monitor
360-Degree Surround View Camera
Yes
Blind Spot Warning
-
Yes
Emergency Braking
-
Yes
Forward Collision Warning
-
Yes
Front Camera
-
Yes
Parking Distance Sensors
Rear Ultrasonic Sensors
Yes
Parking Sensor
Rear Ultrasonic Sensors
Yes
Pre-Collision System
-
Yes
Rain Sensor Wipers
Standard
Yes
Rear View Camera
360-Degree Surround View
Yes
Reverse Camera Type
360-Degree Surround View
Yes
Reversing Camera
360-Degree Surround View
Yes
Surround View Camera
360-Degree Surround View Camera
Yes
Eco Mode
-
Yes
Sport Mode
-
No
Automatic High Beam
-
Yes
Spec
Fronx
Seltos
Seat Material
Leatherette Seat Trim
Leather
Seat Adjustment
Manual 6-Way Driver Adjustment
8-Way Power
Heated Seats
-
Yes
Ventilated Seats
-
Yes
Steering Type
Electric Power Assisted (EPAS)
Yes
Steering Adjustment
Tilt and Telescopic
Tilt and Telescopic
Ambient Lighting
-
Yes
Folding Rear Seats
60:40 Split Fold
Yes
Front Armrest
Standard Centre Armrest
Centre Armrest
Rear Armrest
Integrated in Seat Back
Yes
Cup Holders
4
4
Rear AC Vents
-
No
Rear USB Ports
0
Yes
Steering Wheel Material
Urethane
Leather
Instrument Cluster Type
Analogue with Digital Trip Display
Digital
Interior Colour Options
2
Black
Driver Lumbar Support
-
Yes
Door Map Pockets
All Four Door Pockets
Yes
60 40 Split Seat
60:40 Split Fold
Yes
Adjustable Driver Seat
Manual 6-Way Driver Adjustment
8-Way Power
Driver Seat Adjustment
Manual 6-Way Driver Adjustment
8-Way Power
Fabric Seats
Leatherette Seat Trim
No
Passenger Seat Adjustment
Manual 6-Way Driver Adjustment
4-Way Manual
Armrest Front
Standard Centre Armrest
Centre Armrest
Armrest Rear
Integrated in Seat Back
Yes
Boot Space Seats Down
704
1385
Boot Space Seats Up
304
433
Cargo Space
304
433
Driver Seat
Manual 6-Way Driver Adjustment
8-Way Power
Interior Courtesy Lamps
9-inch touchscreen on GLX with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, 360-degree surround view camera on GLX, blind-spot monitoring on GLX, automatic climate control on GL+ and GLX, dual front airbags standard, ABS standard, al
In structured scoring, Seltos emerges as the stronger overall package. However, Fronx may appeal to buyers prioritising different factors. Ultimately, the right choice depends on your driving priorities in South Africa.
Other Comparisons Worth Checking
See how similar cars go head-to-head — you might find a better fit than you expected.
On our scoring the Seltos edges ahead overall. That said, the right choice depends on what you actually use the car for — the breakdown above shows exactly where each one wins and loses.
Efficiency scores: Fronx 67 vs Seltos 73. In the real world, diesel variants of either car will beat the claimed figure on long highways and fall short in Joburg traffic.
Safety scores: Fronx 76, Seltos 94. Check each model page for NCAP ratings and which trim levels include AEB and blind-spot monitoring — those features aren't always standard.
Long-term ownership scores: Fronx 71, Seltos 71. Service intervals, parts availability in SA, and whether a service plan is bundled all factor in — check the individual variant specs for that detail.
Practicality scores: Fronx 57, Seltos 68. This covers boot space, seat flexibility, and day-to-day usability — not just interior dimensions on paper.
Performance scores: Fronx 31, Seltos 45. This looks at real-world pace — 0–100 kph, highway flexibility, and how either car feels when you actually need to overtake on an N-road.
Resale varies with colour, spec, and market timing, but Japanese brands — and Toyota specifically — have a strong track record in SA. Check current used prices for both on AutoTrader to see the real gap right now.
Ground clearance and 4WD availability are what matter most here. Scroll to the spec table above to compare both side by side — if either model offers a 4WD variant, that's the version worth comparing.
Fuel, insurance, and service costs are the big three. Diesel variants of both models typically save R800–R1,500/month in fuel at current SA pump prices. The Seltos edges the overall ownership score, but check whether either variant includes a service plan — that changes the monthly maths significantly.
The Seltos scores better overall, but neither car is a bad buy here. It comes down to what features matter to you — check the full spec table above to see exactly what you gain and lose at each price point.
In Depth — Breaking It All Down
The comparison between Fronx and Seltos in South Africa
evaluates performance, efficiency, safety, practicality and long-term ownership value.
Performance: Fronx scores 31 vs 45.
Efficiency: Fronx scores 67 vs 73.
Safety: Fronx scores 76 vs 94.
Practicality: Fronx scores 57 vs 68.
Ownership: Fronx scores 71 vs 71.
Final structured scoring gives Seltos
the advantage in this comparison.
Compare
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