Driving impressions: unveiling the fourth-generation Suzuki Dzire

Suzuki South Africa has added another bow to their already impressive quiver with the launch of the fourth-generation Dzire.

It’s no secret that Suzuki has been shooting out the lights on the national sales charts having slotted into second place and by the looks of things they’re likely to stay there for some time.

It may seem counterintuitive to be bringing in the Indian-made compact sedan with everyone clamouring for SUVs, but Suzuki says while they don’t expect large sales, there is still a market at this price point.

It’s likely to find favour with e-hailing services, first-time buyers, fleet cars and car rental companies.

The Dzire comes in three derivatives: The entry level 1.2 GA, the higher specced 1.2 GL+ manual and the 1.2 GL+ Auto. 

Exterior

It’s quite an attractive little car, and I particularly like the black alloys on the 1.2 GL+ manual we drove on launch.

The raked windscreen, electric folding side mirrors, shark-fin antenna, C-pillar that flows to the boot lid, and T-shaped LED tail light clusters make for an attractive package.

Interior

The interior is essentially a copy and paste of the Suzuki Swift.

There’s a wrap-around dashboard design with centre controls angled towards the driver, a tilt-only urethane steering wheel and it comes with analogue dials with a segment LCD display providing information such as average consumption, instant consumption and driving range.  

Hard plastics abound, as you would expect at this price.

A nice touch is a folding centre armrest with cup holders for the rear passengers as well as air vents and type A and type C USB ports.

I’m not sure though that the beige interior and cloth seats are the most practical option for South African conditions.

All variants come with rear parking sensors, hill hold control, electric windows, height adjustable driver’s seat, manual headlight levelling, central locking with an immobiliser/alarm and 12V power socket.

The GL+ adds cruise control, a multifunction steering wheel, seven-inch display audio system with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility, reverse camera, front type A USB port, hands-free phone control and a luggage area light for the 378 litre boot.

Engine

Under the bonnet is 1.2-litre three-cylinder naturally aspirated petrol engine producing 60kW and 112Nm of torque, replacing the outgoing four cylinder engine, coupled to either a five-speed manual gearbox or a continuously variable transmission (CVT).

Driving

Don’t expect Dzirable performance from the little Suzuki, though. 

During our launch drive with three adults in and around Joburg including the hilly parts around Constitution Hill, we had to rev hard to keep momentum and at times needed to switch the airconditioning off.

The situation is similar on the highway when passing traffic, and you’ll have to plan your passing manoeuvres well in advance.

Once you’re up to speed it goes along nicely but there’s a lot of gear changing when there’s an incline.

Tottering around in town, there’s no problem, but I would steer clear of the CVT, especially at altitude.

Still, considering its application and price, it does exactly what it says on the box, with Suzuki claiming consumption figures of 4.4l/ 100km.

Safety

Safety-wise the Suzuki Dzire comes with six airbags, ABS, side impact door beams, EBD, brake assist function, electronic stability programme, rear parking sensors and rear ISOFIX anchors and, pretensioning and force-limiting three-point seatbelts.

That’s quite impressive for an entry model, and it achieved a five-star adult and four-star child occupant protection rating in a recent Global NCAP #SaferCarsForIndia crash test assessment.

It comes with a five-year/200,000km warranty and a four-year/ 60 000km service plan.

Pricing (May 2025)

Suzuki Dzire 1.2 GA 5MT: R224 900.

Suzuki Dzire 1.2 GL+ 5MT: R246 900.

Suzuki Dzire 1.2 GL+ CVT: R266 900.