India’s best-selling sedan, with 2.7 million units sold over the past 16 years, the Maruti Suzuki Dzire has etched itself into the nation’s automotive fabric. One in every two sedans sold in India bears the unmistakable Dzire badge, making it the fourth highest-selling car in Indian history. With that legacy on its shoulders, expectations are naturally high for the fourth-generation Dzire. Maruti Suzuki has invested an impressive Rs 1,000 crore heavily, aiming to elevate the Dzire’s appeal and push it beyond its utilitarian image into a ‘premium’ product proposition. So, does it live up to the brief? We find out!
Performance and Driving Dynamics: A Pleasant Urban Companion with a Hint of Zest
Under the bonnet, the Dzire carries Maruti’s familiar 1.2-litre, three-cylinder Z12E engine, shared with the Swift. It’s a tidy little unit, producing 80.5bhp and 111Nm of torque. Available with either a 5-speed manual or a 5-speed AMT, this engine has been tuned for responsive throttle reactions that make the Dzire a lively city car. In urban driving, where most will stay under 3,000 rpm, the Dzire feels sprightly and responsive, making short work of quick manoeuvres.
Enthusiasts might find the power delivery more linear than thrilling, as the mid-range and top-end feel somewhat muted if you push hard. There’s a modest growl from the engine, though it turns to a bit of a thrummy pitch under heavy throttle, a characterful note, if not a particularly refined one. Gear shifts are smooth, especially for an AMT, and there’s a hint of sportiness as it eagerly downshifts by two or three gears when required. A manual tiptronic mode adds an extra dash of engagement for those who crave control.
Handling and Ride Quality: Steering that Connects, a Suspension that Absorbs
Maruti has stepped up in handling and ride quality. By tweaking the suspension, Suzuki’s engineers have given the Dzire a noticeably better feel on the road. The steering is smooth yet responsive, refreshing among modern Marutis, making it genuinely enjoyable to weave through traffic or take on a bend. Remarkably, it returns to the centre naturally, a small but satisfying detail that gives the car a more connected, driver-centric feel.
Body roll is well-controlled, preserving the Swift’s sharp handling DNA, and the car holds the road with an eagerness that adds a bit of pep to daily drives. The increased rear suspension stroke makes it more tossable, though rear passengers might feel a touch of firmness on rough patches. However, the Dzire glides over bumps with ease. It’s a surprisingly confident little car that punches above its weight in terms of driving enjoyment.
Fuel Efficiency: Class-Leading Figures
Maruti claims the Dzire will achieve 24.79 kmpl with the manual and 25.71 kmpl with the AMT—a slight but appreciated improvement over previous figures. These numbers make it the most fuel-efficient sedan in its segment. Maruti Suzuki will launch a CNG variant with a claimed mileage of 33.75km per kg.
Safety: A Standout for Maruti
Maruti has significantly raised its game with safety, achieving a five-star GNCAP rating for adult protection and a four-star rating for child safety. Standard safety features across all variants include six airbags, three-point seat belts with reminders, ESP, ABS with EBD, hill-hold assist, and more. This is a reassuring step from Maruti, signalling that they’re serious about safety, and these ratings will undoubtedly give confidence to families considering the Dzire.
Step inside, and there’s a sense of deliberate uplift. While some elements are carried over from Swift, Maruti has added thoughtful details that hint at an upscale intent. The dual-tone black-and-beige dashboard, accented by brushed silver and a tasteful hint of wood veneer, feels modern and restrained. Taking centre stage is a crisp 9-inch infotainment screen with wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. A wireless charging pad is also perfect for avoiding cable clutter, a feature set more commonly found in the class above.
What stands out, though, is the segment-first 360-degree camera system. Its resolution is commendable, and though there’s a slight lag, it’s a handy feature for tight urban spaces. Maruti has sensibly retained physical toggle buttons for climate control—a choice that will please traditionalists. The steering wheel, adorned with controls for cruise and media, is ergonomically placed and leads into a half-analog, half-digital instrument cluster. Android Auto users will appreciate the turn-by-turn prompts on the MID display.
The cabin is a dual-tone affair, dressed in beige and black, with spacious, comfy seats that can fit three in the back quite snugly. The rear bench has its own AC vent, a Type-A and a Type-C port, three-point seat belts for everyone, and an armrest with adjustable headrests for two at the back. And yes, a single-pane sunroof. It’s a nod to what Indian buyers have been clamouring for, and Maruti’s the first in this game to deliver.
Every panel on this fourth-gen Dzire is a bespoke piece, with no hand-me-downs from the latest Swift nor echoes of the previous Dzire. The front has been entirely reimagined with rectangular, jewel-like headlights that lend a certain sophistication. There’s a hexagonal grille featuring five horizontal slats that are broader and proudly sport a blank spot up top for the Suzuki badge to perch. Beneath, the bumper takes on a boxier, more angular form, altogether sharper than before.
Along the sides, a chrome trim subtly elongates the silhouette, complemented by neat, two-tone 15-inch alloys that do their best to suggest a higher segment. At the rear, the restrained Y-shaped LED taillights give it a classy, standalone appearance—no gimmicky light bars here. A discreet chrome strip spans the boot, with a shark fin antenna and small lip spoiler adding just a hint of sporty flair. Altogether, the new Dzire has a maturity to its design, more refined than its predecessors. It sheds the cab image to brush against something more refined, something you might mistake for a European saloon at a glance. Yes, I dare say the new Dzire is Maruti Suzuki’s earnest attempt at rolling out a car that looks the part of a ‘premium’—and not just on the brochure.
Pricing and Verdict: Premium Aspirations, Real-World Value
Priced between Rs 6.79 lakh and Rs 10.14 lakh (introductory) and with a subscription option starting at Rs 18,248 per month, the Dzire continues to deliver substantial value for money, considering the prices are similar to the previous generation. With this pricing, Maruti Suzuki has deftly positioned it to appeal to loyal buyers and new customers looking for more from their compact sedan.
Maruti Suzuki has done well in giving the Dzire a mature, almost premium feel without losing its core strengths of reliability and economy. With a refined aesthetic, added creature comforts, improved driving dynamics, and enhanced safety, the Dzire is more than just a fleet car. It’s a well-rounded, thoughtfully designed sedan that, for the first time, might even appeal to more than its core buyers. Expect this one to keep that cash register ringing for India’s biggest OEM.
