The Suzuki Dzire is one of the most economical compact sedans in its class and being so affordable to maintain and repair, makes it highly competitive in its segment.
By Rubin van Niekerk
Such a plain straight forward well-built car with many class-leading safety features requires a closer look. Our test car had a pleasant two-tone well-equipped interior. The roomy cabin’s rear seats do not drop down like most sedans, but the large 378-litre trunk swallows enough luggage for practicality. Pricing is highly competitive for a well-built sedan which costs less to run than most cars or MPVs. I’m not surprised that it offers extremely good resale value which should be a consideration whenever anybody buy a car no matter in which segment or price point.
The 1.2-litre three-cylinder engine delivers 60 kW and 112 Nm which may sound underwhelming, but sufficient for a car that weighs only 940 kg. In the 5-speed manual you will reach 100km/hr in a respectable 11.5 seconds and achieve a top speed of 175km/hr. Our fuel consumption of 6.4 litres/100km in mostly urban commuting, was impressive and should get over 600 km range from the 37-litre tank. Officially 4.4 litres/100km is possible, but I doubt if a consumption figure of less than 5.5 l/100 in normal conditions is easily possible. Triples are becoming the norm in smaller cars, and you get used to the quiet grumbling sound. Freeway driving is quietly pleasant with enough torque instantly available if you gear down. Light controls, steering and clutch with short gearing make stop-go traffic easy in city settings. Tight turning circles poses no challenge, and parallel parking is simple with good visibility. Sensibly sized door bins, cupholders, and rear seatbacks makes urban escapes easy in one of the most spacious cars in this segment. Adults that are not too tall fit comfortably on the rear seats.
Pricing in September 2025 is just shy of R 250 000 and Suzuki is a brand renowned for resale value, reliability, parts availability and cost efficiency. I recommend this economical sedan when you look for a new set of wheels under R300 000. Being in an age where MPV’s are so popular we often fail to consider excellent sedan alternatives with superb rear space and comfort.
