While the Suzuki Dzire falls into the realms of economy cars, its most notable feature is its size. Its large boot and more spacious interior make it ideal for those who want slightly more than the economical space of a hatch.
Drive and handling
The tested Suzuki Dzire has a 1.2 petrol engine with a manual transmission. There is also an automatic transmission available. The car has an output of 61 kW and 113 Nm of torque. A larger engine, however, would not have gone amiss. The Dzire struggled up hills and took some practiced driving to gain speed even on the slightest incline. Many economy cars have larger engines while still maintaining a reasonable price and good fuel efficiency.
Admittedly, the fuel efficiency of the Dzire might be difficult to beat though, with a claimed fuel efficiency of 4.9L/100km. During my week with the car, I spent plenty of time in the car and I still handed it back with plenty of fuel. With current fuel prices, this may be highly attractive to many drivers especially those that spend long hours behind the wheel.
The exterior
As someone who is not a huge fan of sedans, I was impressed with the design of the Suzuki Dzire. It manages to avoid looking awkward like so many sedans do in the age of the hatch. The boot, while larger inside, does not look cumbersome from the exterior. In fact, it is 10mm smaller than its predecessor.
The interior
Part of the improved looks from the outside and increased space on inside, is that both the Swift and the Dzire are built on Suzuki’s new Heartect platform. This platform features sportier looks, increases passive and dynamic safety and lowers weight while still increasing interior cabin space.
There are two areas that benefit the most from the space increases, the rear of the car and the boot. The space in the rear is on par, if not greater, than some of the smaller SUVs or crossovers.
The Dzire also offers 26% more boot space than its predecessor. In short, I loved the boot. On one occasion I needed to take quite a few items with me to an event along with a few passengers, and there was no need to worry about space.
A touchscreen infotainment system is neglected n the Dzire but in an economy car it is not expected or necessary. The Bluetooth connectivity, however, could do with some improvement. It was not as intuitive when connecting to it as one would like and was difficult to use. It was unnecessarily long-winded to use and could potentially cause more distraction than prevent it.
If you are in need of a car with slightly more space or have a young family and need some extra space that not many cars in this segment offer, the Suzuki Dzire is a great option. It is also hard to beat in terms of fuel efficiency, making it an all-round value for money car.
Good to know
The specs of the 1.2 GL
Engine: 1.2 petrol engine
Power: 61 kW
Torque: 113 Nm
Fuel Consumption: 4.9/100 km
Transmission: 5-speed manual transmission
Warranty: 5 year/200 000km
Service plan: 2 year/30 000 km
Price: from R177 900
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