Tata Tigor EV vs. Maruti Suzuki Fronx: Which One to Buy?

The Indian automobile landscape is highly competitive, with leading brands offering high-performing cars with the latest technologies. Two prominent car makers, Tata Motors and Maruti Suzuki, have been favourites among Indian car buyers based on their reliability and affordable offerings. The Tigor EV from Tata and Fronx from Maruti Suzuki are two popular choices from the carmakers that have gained popularity since their launch.

With the unique features and benefits that both the Maruti Suzuki Fronx and the Tata Tigor EV provide, deciding between them can be difficult. While the former is a sporty crossover SUV, the latter is a classy sedan. Another distinct difference is that the Tigor EV is an electric vehicle, whereas the Fronx is an ICE vehicle. Both cars appeal to diverse buyer goals and preferences by targeting distinct market segments. This article will highlight the key characteristics of both vehicles and provide a comprehensive comparison to help you determine which one best meets your requirements.

Tata Tigor EV and Maruti Suzuki Fronx: An Overview

The Tata Tigor EV is a compact five-seater electric vehicle that offers a blend of functionality and aesthetics. It symbolises Tata’s efforts to promote environmentally friendly transportation. The Tigor EV is made to provide an environmentally friendly driving experience without sacrificing comfort or functionality.

In contrast, Maruti Suzuki’s Fronx is a compact five-seater SUV that exemplifies the brand’s reputation for dependability and fuel efficiency. The target market for the Fronx is customers searching for an elegant, feature-rich car that can manage occasional off-road excursions as well as city commuting. Although it is not an electric car, it offers different powertrain options.

Comparing the Cost

A key factor that all car buyers consider when making a purchase is the price of the car. While both the Fronx and the Tigor EV come in competitive rates, there is a slight disparity based on their powertrain offerings. The Maruti Suzuki Fronx has 12 variants ranging from ₹8.31 lakhs to ₹14.56 lakhs. On the other hand, the Tata Tigor EV comes in 4 different variants, and the price bracket falls between ₹13.04 lakhs and ₹14.34 lakhs. All prices are on-road prices in Delhi. It appears that the Tigor EV is significantly more expensive than the Fronx.

However, given the reduced cost of electricity compared to petrol or diesel, the Tigor EV has lower operating costs than conventional ICE vehicles. Because EVs have fewer moving components and require less regular repair, maintenance expenses are also reduced. Furthermore, several government incentives and subsidies decrease the initial cost of ownership for electric vehicles.

Conversely, while the Fronx’s initial cost might be lower than the Tigor EV, its running costs are higher due to fuel expenses. That said, Maruti Suzuki’s proven reliability contributes to relatively low maintenance costs.

The Design Language

The Tigor EV has a futuristic design theme supported by its signature grille and sedan-specific sophistication. To distinguish itself from the regular Tigor, the Tata Tigor EV has stylistic cues with an electric motif. It has a tri-arrow-shaped Teal Blue colour tailored to electric vehicles and a grille with a “humanity” line that resembles that of the Nexon EV from the same carmaker. The cleaner electric mobility is shown by a blue line that crosses from one headlight to the next. The dark theme interiors are spacious and premium, with the EV-specific blue accents spread around the cabin space. The seating is comfortable and has quality material and comfort features. The AC vents and seats have the signature tri-arrow pattern.

The external styling of the Maruti Suzuki Fronx increases its allure. For the top specs, the NEXTre LED DRLs provide enhanced visibility along with a sleek, modern design; the Sigma version receives a more conventional but still fashionable LED DRL. The sporty and stylish aesthetic is enhanced by alloy wheels featuring precise geometric cutouts. A shark fin antenna and a roof-end spoiler are additional standard features. The standard elements are provided for the base Sigma variants instead of the NEXA design package.  The interiors feature luxurious seating with a dual-tone motif. The steering wheel on the top model is likewise covered in leather. All trim levels come with the same standard flat-bottom steering wheel.

Here’s an overview of the dimensions.

Features

Both the Fronx and the Tigor EV have power-packed features. A 7-inch touch screen, a range of connectivity options, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, 30+ linked functions, and a Harman-Kardon sound are all included with the Tata Tigor EV. A fully computerised driver’s display with a range of information is included. The numbers are clear and convenient to read. Among the conveniences are one USB port, auto-folding IRVMs, chilled glovebox, automated climate control, rear parking cam with adaptive guidance, and automatic climate control.

The robust multimedia system of the Maruti Suzuki Fronx adds enjoyment to driving. The main attraction is the 9-inch SmartPlay Pro Plus display, which offers wireless connectivity for Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. A head-up display with features like navigation, fuel efficiency, and distance is designed to reduce driver fatigue. A 360-degree view camera and a four-speaker ARKAMYS surround sound system are also included.

The Powertrain Specifications

Another important element of comparison between cars is how they perform and what their engine and gearbox specifications are. The following sections highlight these details for the Tigor EV and the Fronx.

Engine Specifications

The Tigor EV has a 26 kWh Lithium-ion battery. The Fronx has two engine options: a 1-litre turbo-petrol engine with mild-hybrid technology and a 1.2-litre Dualjet petrol engine. The 1.2-litre engine powers the CNG variants.

Mileage & Range

All four variants of the Tata Tigor EV offer a range of 315 km per full charge. On the other hand, The petrol variants of the Maruti Suzuki Fronx offer a mileage of 21.79 km/l, and the CNG Variant of the Maruti Suzuki Fronx offers a mileage of 28.51 Km/Kg.

Transmission Type

All four variants of the Tata Tigor EV come with automatic transmission. The Fronx gets both an MT and an AMT gearbox. The CNG variants only get the  5-speed manual transmission, while the petrol variant gets a 5-speed manual and a 5-speed AMT gearbox.

The table below highlights the key differences between the two in terms of specifications.

Safety Features

The Tata Tigor EV is a very secure vehicle for customers thanks to features like two airbags, an engine immobiliser, a child safety lock, a door alarm warning, central locking, ABS, electronic brakeforce distribution, and an electronic stability program. However, with offerings of six airbags, an engine immobiliser, a child safety lock, door alarm warning, central locking, ABS, electronic brakeforce distribution, and an electronic stability program, the Maruti Suzuki Fronx provides an equally safe ride for its passengers.

Conclusion

Comparing the Tata Tigor EV and the Maruti Suzuki Fronx reveals that both cars have equally appealing aesthetics, powerful performance and features. Though the starting range of the Maruti Suzuki Fronx is much lower, the top variant of both of the cars has marginal differences according to the budget. The ultimate choice between the Maruti Suzuki Fronx and the Tata Tigor EV depends on your priorities and taste.