Dzired effect

Based on the impressive modern Swift, Suzuki is keen to lend the Dzire a breakaway character of its own

- By: Alex Shahini

Price: R246 900 Powertrain: 1.2-litre, three-cylinder, petrol Transmission: 5-speed manual Power: 60 kW @ 5 700 r/min Torque: 112 N.m @ 4 300 r/min Top speed: 175 km/h* Fuel consumption: 4.4 L/100 km* CO₂ emissions: 104 g/km* Rivals: Honda Amaze; Hyundai Grand i10 Sedan; Kia Pegas

Six months after Suzuki Auto South Africa introduced its multiple award-winning fourth-generation Swift to our market, and with this model underscoring remarkable recent sales success for the Japanese brand, it is time for this popular hatchback's modern sedan sibling to enter the fray.

Interestingly, while the two previous generations of the Dzire introduced styling that broadly mimicked their respective Swift counterparts, with the fourth-generation car, Suzuki has taken measured steps to differentiate the two products. That said, the compact sedan gains a bespoke nose treatment that some have compared to Audi's modem design language, a bespoke headlamp treatment and an altogether more stylish rear end compared with the previous two versions of this car.

Sharing its HEARTECT platform, overall width and, indeed, its wheelbase with its hatch sibling, the slightly taller new Dzire is 135 mm longer than the Swift thanks to its extended luggage compartment.