The new Maruti Suzuki Dzire looks like it has everything it should have, but is it a perfect fit?
Story: Joshua Varghese
Photography: Sanjay Lekha
Not many of us ask us which compact sedan to buy these days. The segment’s popularity seems to have declined over the years. Although there are multiple options on sale, no one is offering more options than the facelift in recent times, which is why the new Maruti Suzuki Dzire is an important car. Not only is it largely a new product, but it has been the undefeated king of the ring to date. We got to experience the fourth generation of the popular Maruti Suzuki Dzire in Goa.
I haven’t been a fan of Dzire’s Swift-ish look since the first iteration. So when Maruti Suzuki decided to replace the ‘Swift Dzire’ moniker with ‘Dzire’ on the previous model, it felt like a step in the right direction. For the current generation, they have taken some purposeful steps down this path as the new Dzire looks nothing like the hatchback. The side profile seems to be the most familiar angle of the car, as the rest of it has been given a major makeover.
The overall styling is sharp, and new LED headlights and taillights add to the car’s high-end appeal. Additionally, the 15-inch alloy wheels are a nice touch and they fill out the wheel arches nicely. Dimensionally, the new Dzire is identical to the car it replaces in all aspects except height. This one is 10mm taller. There are seven colors to choose from, with white appearing to be the brightest of them all.
In the cabin of the top-end Dzire, Maruti has done well to provide a space that looks and feels premium in the segment. They also added silver accents on the dashboard and steering wheel to differentiate the interior from the new Swift’s all-black cabin. The choice of light-colored interior trim enhances the feeling of space, but considering the seat covers are made of fabric even in top-spec models, we think a darker hue would be more practical. Of course, the most notable addition is the sunroof, which is only available on top-spec models and is likely to be a requirement rather than a necessity. Everything we touched had a nice, long-lasting feel and there’s no room for complaint, but after such a significant revamp, we think Maruti should use the opportunity to improve the quality of materials inside the cabin.
After driving for a few hours on the narrow lanes and highways of South Goa, I didn’t feel any discomfort from the steering wheel. At the same time, the space in the second row seems to be enough for tall people. I’m a tall person and with little support under my thighs, the rear seats are best for short trips. That said, we appreciate the presence of thoughtful features like the rear armrest and rear AC vents. The trunk space is quite spacious and can easily accommodate around four to five suitcases, which adds to the practicality of the Dzire. One thing that struck us as odd was that the trunk could only be opened from the trunk lid when the key was close to the trunk, otherwise the trunk wouldn’t unlock even when the car was fully unlocked.
Under the hood, we have the same Z12E naturally aspirated three-cylinder petrol engine. It produces only 82 hp and 112 Nm of peak torque, making it the least powerful petrol engine in the Dzire. Transmission options remain a five-speed manual or a five-speed AMT. Maruti also offers a dual-fuel option that can run on petrol and CNG, but only with a manual gearbox. What the Dzire lacks in on-paper performance, it makes up for in its claimed fuel efficiency. The petrol model with manual gearbox is expected to return 24.79 km/litre, the one with AMT returns 25.71 km/litre, while the CNG figure is an attractive 33.73 km/litre. This time we only drove a gasoline manual car, and the situation is as follows.
Once the 2,000 rpm mark is passed, the engine starts normally. Its punchy midrange is the most exciting part of the powerband, and there’s enough grunt to keep one gearing to redline. Performance is essentially the same as the Swift, and the car’s lack of sporty response doesn’t hold it back. Beyond sheer speed, we expect a compact sedan to be more practical and comfortable than anything else. On the narrow roads of Goa, we had to downshift to perform quick overtaking maneuvers, but on the four-lane highway, where visibility was wide and for longer, the Dzire had enough power to overtake traffic even in the higher gears. . The level of refinement is impressive for a three-cylinder engine, as it’s barely audible inside the cabin, as is road noise.
The chassis and suspension are basically the same as the new Swift, with Maruti claiming the rear suspension has been slightly tweaked. On the road, it translates into an admirable balance between handling and comfort. In terms of usable performance, this chassis gives the Dzire an impressive level of composure. It feels stable even in fast corners and is equally unfazed at triple-digit cruising speeds. In real life, this translates into a sense of confidence, making the driver feel like they are one with the car. Ride quality was also impressive, as most flaws didn’t transfer to the cabin, which kept us comfortable throughout. Sharp and progressive braking saved us more than once. As we were driving, a car in front of us braked suddenly and we came to a stop quickly without causing any alarm. Another time, a stray cow crossed our path on the highway. Quick braking and quick lane changes got us out of trouble with ease.
Despite all these advancements, the Dzire will become the first Maruti Suzuki car to receive a five-star safety rating in Global NCAP testing. Even more commendable is the fact that all safety features are standard across the range.
The price of the new Maruti Suzuki Dzire starts at Rs 6.79 lakh and goes up to Rs 10.14 lakh. These prices are introductory and ex-showroom and are valid until December 30, 2024. For reference, the Swift was launched in a price range of Rs 6.49 lakh to Rs 9.65 lakh. With a price difference of Rs 30,000 to Rs 49,000, it must be said that the Maruti Suzuki Dzire looks irresistibly attractive to families looking to upgrade to the compact sedan experience. Best of all, it’s no longer a stretched Swift, but a car with its own identity.
Also read: Maruti Suzuki Swift Review
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