Suzuki Auto South Africa has welcomed the fourth-generation Dzire into the South African market, which it hopes will begin to appeal more broadly as a commuter product locally. Alex Shahini attended the launch in Johannesburg.
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Suzuki Dzire 1.2 GL+ Manual Fast Facts
- Price: R246 900
- Powertrain: 1.2-litre, three-cylinder, naturally aspirated
- Transmission: five-speed manual
- Power: 60 kW @ 5 700 r/min
- Torque: 112 N.m @ 4 300 r/min
- 0-100 km/h: 11.7 seconds*
- Top speed: 175 km/h*
- Fuel consumption: 4.4 L/100 km*
- CO2 emissions: 104
- Rivals: Proton Saga, Hyundai Grand i10 sedan, Honda Amaze, Kia Pegas
*Claimed figures
What are we driving?
The globally popular Suzuki Dzire was revised towards the end of last year and now the Maruti-built model has officially touched down in Mzansi. In an effort to make this fourth-generation Dzire a more autonomous product within its lineup, Suzuki has revised the compact sedan with the Swift’s DNA but more of its own identity. What I mean by this is that there are three iterations to choose from, with this fully-loaded GL+ intended to bridge the gap between fleet buyers and independent commuters who would typically browse for hatchbacks or SUVs in the price range.
Why is the Suzuki Dzire significant?
In terms of the global market, nearly 3 million units have been sold, with countless awards handed out to Suzuki for the Dzire. The recipe then must be one worth paying attention to, and much of its success hinges on the fact that the Japanese automaker has underpinned the sub-four-metre sedan with the inner workings of the Swift.
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This recipe has worked well for Suzuki over the past several years, despite our undeniable penchant, as South Africans, for hatchbacks and of late, SUVs. The low running costs and added utility of a boot mean that models like the Dzire have become a hot commodity for fleets and e-hailing service operators, but Suzuki hopes that the newcomer will serve alongside the Swift as a model for commuters too.
How much does the Suzuki Dzire cost?
As with all rivals in this segment, price is the determinant of a successful product, and with the three-lineup strong contingent coming in under R270 000, it certainly ticks that box off emphatically. That being said, it isn’t the cheapest in the segment, but Suzuki has been sure to outfit it with a generous amount of standard specification.
- Suzuki Dzire 1.2 GA – R224 900
- Suzuki Dzire 1.2 GL+ manual – R246 900
- Suzuki Dzire 1.2 GL+ CVT – R266 900
A strong sales proposition is also Suzuki’s revered reliability and proven track record. Buyers get a 5-year/200 000 km warranty, 4-year/60 000 km service plan, 6-year/unlimited corrosion warranty and a 5-year/unlimited roadside assistance.
What is new on the Suzuki Dzire?
Derivative-specific features and creature comforts like a reverse camera, parking sensors and darkened trim help to make it appeal to a broader group of buyers. While it looks to be a completely new car on the exterior, the fourth-generation Dzire (like the Swift) is based on the updated Heartect platform, which now boasts safety improvements and increased torsional rigidity. Connected to this is now a powertrain with one less cylinder for a more cost-effective and fuel-efficient product. The promise is a product that is better in every regard than its predecessor.
On the inside is a 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system (depending on the model) with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, while a combined analog and digital driver’s display is situated ahead of the steering wheel. The dashboard architecture and ergonomics are nearly identical to the Swift, but buyers progressing into this generation from the previous may find the three-cylinder initially counterintuitive.
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In terms of colourways, the exterior has multiple exterior hues options to choose from, but one of the potential Achilles heels of the Dzire would be its sole interior finishing, which wears a beige that could very easily show dirt or stains. The remainder of the interior are made of hardy but durable feeling materials which most importantly seem like they would be easy to keep clean.
What are the Suzuki Dzire’s rivals?
The chief rival for the Dzire in this segment is the Honda Amaze, but further up the pricing tree is also the Grand i10 sedan and Kia Pegas. Budget-conscious buyers would also consider the Proton Saga, which starts at R209 900.
What is the Suzuki Dzire 1.2 GL+ manual like to drive?
In a real-world application like the Johannesburg launch route, the example-driven paired with a 5-speed manual, required a convincing amount of throttle to remain out of reach of a stalling engine speed. Buyers wanting to shy away from this procedure can also opt for a CVT, though. Performance was otherwise admirable considering it was at altitude, with a full complement of adult passengers and the air conditioning at medium blast. The steering is pleasantly light for manoeuvring in tight spaces, and the reverse camera a cinch for anyone forgetting that there is some more metal beyond the rear pane of glass. With most of the route completed in town, a short stint at higher speeds revealed a cabin that continued to be comfortable with only mild wind ingress. The claimed fuel consumption of the model is listed at 4.4 L/100 km but the fully loaded test mule registered closer to 6 L/100 km after our urban galavant.
Verdict
Instead of reinventing the wheel, Suzuki has simply refined it and with that in mind, the overall product remains a compelling buy for those seeking a frugal and cheap-to-run vehicle. It will undoubtedly resonate best with fleet and e-hailing buyers, but the clever inclusion of the GL+ means that it could also win over some commuters who would rather opt for a small sedan.
