Need stylish, value wheels? This Suzuki is your Dzire!
Another well-priced and popular subcompact sedan, our holiday special Suzuki Dzire really popped in its white hue and sexy black wheels. Cheeky. And smart. Like its natural rival Honda Amaze that we also had on test to get to know much better over shutdown. Albeit that was a CVT and this a five-speed stick-shifter.
Like the rest of the Suzuki range, Dzire offers fine blend of great value and impressive features. Except that this one has a boot instead of the tailgate most of the rest of the family bring. The only other Suzuki sedan is big bro Ciaz.
Which makes the Suzuki Dzire as much an interesting mom’s taxi, as it does a repmobile or uber and taxi solution. Probably best of all, it’s likely the most economical of any of the growing gang of entry sedans on the market today, too.
Dzire recently gained a chunky makeover
The popular Suzuki Dzire benefited a chunky makeover not very long ago. To make it more attractive and interesting. Never mind, the abovementioned get-up makes this one even cuter. Japanese by badge, like most affordable small cars these days, Dzire is manufactured in India at Maruti Suzuki’s Manesar facility.
Boasting an impressive standard specification for two hundred and fifty-two grand, there are more features than you may expect for the price. Including cruise control and advanced 6 airbag safety, stability control and ABS safety, LED headlights and even a rear camera with park sensors.
Looked at against our holiday companion Honda Amaze, there seems a truce in how they’re positioned. The more premium Honda brings more spec at a higher price. Which means they each attract a different buyer profile. Not to mention the many other rivals in this busy little niche, which seems to defy the general slip of the larger sedan.
Infotainment impressed, especially in Carplay
Infotainment impressed, especially when used with Carplay. But there are questions. Like the fat frame around the screen that makes one feel like someone made off with the full size version! The infotainment, automatic climate control and audio however all have all the necessary knobs and buttons to run it fuss free, so full marks there.
It may be outsized by certain rivals, but Dzire is still spacious and 382 litres of boot is more than ample. But then it certainly makes up in specification at this top level. So, as an Uber, or taxi, this Suzuki adds a value, price and economy advantage than mum will also enjoy. The rep? Well they’re on company fuel. One can only feel for the car!
Dzire’s cabin trim is however feels a little sparse, and dare we say, crass in some areas. But on the whole, this impressively fuel efficient and lightweight car packs far more than you may expect for the price to also easily see it overcome any slight performance deficits to some obvious rivals.
Is Dzire the cheapest, leanest sedan to buy?
The sonorous 60 kW 112 Nm 1.2-litre petrol three-cylinder beats out a healthy thrum to propel its easy-shifting five-speed manual. There’s a CVT too, but this little car stars on the road with deft handling and impressive road holding and a decent little performance envelope. And ridiculously frugal 4.4 l/100 km fuel economy. We really enjoyed driving it.
That’s also because this Suzuki is probably the sexiest of the entry sedans out there. Dzire also holds value well, so look after it and Dezire will look after you. And its cared for by a well-established Suzuki dealer network with good parts and reputable service backup in South Africa too.
A month and so many happy holiday memories later only served to convince us that this sexy little sedan does everything as well as expected. Or better. It may bring some slight power, performance, trim and space deficits, but it overcomes that and then some in a great value proposition wrapped in a significant coat of style
Dzire offers great value and a chic slice of style
So, if its fuel efficiency, reasonable specification and safety that floats your boat at a most reasonable entry price point, then this Suzuki clearly should be your Dzire. — Michele Lupini
Images & test data: Giordano Lupini
ROAD TESTED: Suzuki Dzire 1.2 GL+ manual
Engine: 60 kW 112 Nm 1.2-litre petrol I3
Drive: 5-speed manual FWD
TESTED:
0-60 km/h: 4.55 sec
0-100 km/h: 11.21 sec
0-120 km/h: 15.74 sec
400m: 17.6 sec @ 126 km/h
80-120 km/h: 8.42 sec
CLAIMED:
VMax: 175 km/h
Fuel: 4.4 l/100 km
CO2: 101 g/km
Range: 840 km
Warranty/Service: 5y 200K/4y 60K km
LIST PRICE: R252K
How does it compare?
Check with Auto's Test Data right here