KEY HIGHLIGHTS
- The new Maruti Suzuki Dzire shares the 3-cyl 1.2-litre engine with the Swift.
- We drove the ZXi+ AGS, which comes with a 5-speed AMT.
- The Dzire is the only car in its segment to come with a sunroof.
- It does not cater to to enthusiasts, feels more at home when driven sedately.
The new Maruti Suzuki Dzire has been around for years, and it continues to be an ideal sedan for those graduating from their old small car. Despite customers flocking towards compact SUVs, there is no denying a certain 'aura' associated with a sedan parked in your garage. However, should you be going for a compact sedan in this day and age? We began looking for the answer in our own way.
The four of us headed on a short drive around Delhi-NCR, to assess the Dzire's abilities as an everyday car; in the city, on the highway, and with a full load of four passengers plus luggage. But before we go further, make sure to join the 91wheels WhatsApp Community to keep up with the latest news and automotive updates!
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Prepping Up
We began by loading up our Dzire with luggage; two suitcases, two night strollers, and two shoulder bags. All of this fit perfectly in the boot of the Dzire, which measures up to 382 litres. In fact, there was some space left for small stuff on either sides of the boot.
Maruti Suzuki Dzire: Details
Speaking about the car, the new Maruti Suzuki Dzire basically gets a cosmetic makeover, along with a revamped interior, important feature additions and the new Swift's three-cylinder engine. The car we drove came was the top-end ZXi, which comes with a 5-speed AMT.
It is also loaded with a 360-degree camera, sunroof, cruise control, rear A/C vents, a 9-inch touch screen infotainment system, an Arkamys sound system, and a wireless phone charging pad among other things.
The Drive
Despite having our taller team members in the front, there was no shortage of space for Julian and myself at the rear bench. The seat was decent in terms of softness, and it held us both quite well. We also had enough legroom, as well as headroom, and there was space under the front seats for our feet as well.
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The beige interiors make the cabin feel very ambient and airy, but a major con with beige is that it takes quite a lot of effort to maintain, as it has a tendency to get soiled. If we keep that aside, the presence of a conventional sunroof also added to that extra airy feeling.
There will be some chauffeur-driven customers, and I feel they will be content in the backseat of the Dzire. The ride quality feels good enough in both city and highway speeds as well. The suspension gobbles up road imperfections well enough, and does not transfer much inside the cabin. Normal speed-breakers also do not cause any uncomfortable movement in the cabin either. The damping was already good enough in the outgoing car, and Maruti has made it even better.
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From the driver's perspective, it is clear that the Dzire is not meant for spirited driving. The AMT setup hates being hustled and it will delay shifts. This is not the car for corner carving, but rather to get from point A to B in a comfortable, easy-going manner. The power delivery feels rather muted if you press the accelerator pedal hard. Instead, it prefers being driven in a sedate, easy-going manner, and as long as you are not pushing the car's boundaries, it will feel absolutely at home.
Verdict
Overall, there is no doubt that the new Dzire still remains a worthy contender for a spot in your garage. It looks like a proper sedan, it offers decent levels of comfort and equipment, and while it may not cater to enthusiasts, it makes up for that in being a very easy car to drive for all members in the family if needed.
