Top 3 things you need to know about the Suzuki Dzire
Even with SUVs steadily devouring traditional sedan market share, there is still a market for small sedans. Our market’s current offerings originate mostly from India, where this body style is seen as more upmarket than hatchbacks, and of this selection, Suzuki’s Dzire is among the strongest offerings. Let’s take a closer look at this downsized sedan, and highlight 3 things you need to know about it.
To be honest, the previous-generation Swift Dzire (when the sedan still formed a part of the Swift model range) was a bit of an odd duck. It looked almost exactly like its hatchback counterpart up to the rear doors, where a stubby little boot was attached instead of a rear hatch. It didn’t sell in huge numbers, but there was enough demand to prompt Suzuki to bring the next (current) generation model to South Africa as well – this time dropping the “Swift” badge, to become a stand-alone model range.
Related: Our review found the latest Suzuki Dzire to be a surprisingly Dzire-able companion.
1. It utilises the latest Suzuki platform.
The latest Dzire still looks rather a lot like a Swift-with-a-boot, and that’s because it’s derived from the same hardware. The same 1.2-litre non-turbo petrol engine is on duty, and the same gearbox options are available (both 5-speed units, in manual or automated manual formats).
The Dzire also shares its “Heartect” platform with the Swift (and Ertiga, Baleno and Ignis), which means a handy weight reduction of 75 kg, compared to its predecessor. The result is a kerb weight starting at a feathery 890 kg (depending on the variant), which boosts performance, economy, and handling alike. The body shell is still very strong in relation to its weight, though, thanks to extensive use of high-strength steel in its body construction.
2. Extreme fuel efficiency.
This is a small Suzuki, so fuel efficiency is really a given attribute. Even so, the Dzire’s officially-claimed average fuel consumption of only 4.9 ℓ/100 km (with the manual transmission) is pretty amazing, especially considering that this is a fairly well-equipped small car.
Even more amazing is the fact that careful drivers will probably be able to match that consumption claim out in the real world, and even ham-fisted drivers will struggle to get it close to the 6.0 ℓ/100 km mark. Thank that featherweight body construction and smoothed-off bodyshell for this stunning feat.
3. It’s a great value proposition.
The least-expensive Dzire (the GA trim level, only with a manual gearbox) costs a paltry R 165 900, which pitches it among a bunch of 3-cylindered budget hatchbacks – many of which cannot even match the Dzire’s standard safety features (dual airbags, rear ISOFIX child seat anchors, and ABS with EBD). It’s not particularly well-equipped in GA form, but 4 electric windows, central locking, air conditioning, and power steering as standard means that it’s not quite a stripped-out penalty box, either.
The up-spec GL derivatives cost R 182 900 (manual) or R 196 900 (AMT), and add a bunch of other nice-to-haves. An integrated audio system with USB- and Bluetooth compatibility and steering wheel remote controls is standard in GL trim, as are electric side mirrors, rear air vents, front fog lamps, and nicer upholstery to go with the folding rear armrest. In short, the little Suzuki sedan is equipped well beyond the level you’d expect at its price point.
*Pricing was accurate at the time of writing, but may change without prior notice.