Maruti Suzuki India, the leading car manufacturer in the country, has unveiled the new Maruti Suzuki Dzire, which continues to hold the title of India’s best-selling sedan, commanding nearly 50% of the overall sedan market (including compact and mid-size sedans) and 61% of the compact sedan segment. The new Dzire features a number of significant changes, marking a generational shift that typically brings substantial enhancements.
The latest Dzire boasts an entirely redesigned exterior. Unlike previous generations, where the Dzire and Swift shared a similar front look, the new models have distinct designs tailored to appeal to different customer bases.
In comparing the new Dzire to the old model, here are five key differences to help you decide which one to choose.
Engine Comparison
The previous Dzire was equipped with the well-known K-Series 1.2-litre 4-cylinder Dual-Jet Dual-VVT petrol engine (producing 89.7PS and 113Nm). This has been replaced in the new Dzire by the Z12E 1.2-litre 3-cylinder petrol engine (delivering 81.58PS and 111.7Nm). Although there is a reduction in power and torque, Maruti Suzuki asserts that the new engine ranks among the most fuel-efficient globally. Transmission options remain consistent with 5-speed manual and 5-speed automatic variants.
Mileage Improvement
Suzuki’s reputation for producing fuel-efficient petrol engines is well-known. While the old Dzire offered solid mileage, the new model surpasses its predecessor. The former claimed a mileage of 23.26kmpl with the manual transmission and 24.12kmpl with the automatic. The new Dzire has improved these figures to 24.79kmpl for the manual and 25.71kmpl for the automatic version.
Safety Enhancements
Safety is a crucial factor to consider. Traditionally, Maruti Suzuki’s vehicles have received low scores in Global NCAP crash tests. The old Dzire earned two stars for both adult and child safety. In contrast, the new Dzire achieved five stars for adult occupant protection and four stars for child occupant safety in Global NCAP tests, marking it as the safest vehicle Maruti Suzuki has produced for India. The 2024 model comes standard with six airbags and electronic stability control, among other safety features.
It is important to note that the Global NCAP is an independent organization and not officially recognized by the Indian government, although Maruti Suzuki vehicles meet all safety regulations set in India.
Pricing Overview
The old Dzire was priced between Rs 6.56 lakh and Rs 9.39 lakh (ex-showroom), while the new model has seen a price increase due to its upgrades, now ranging from Rs 6.79 lakh to Rs 10.14 lakh (ex-showroom).
Fleet Services
The previous Dzire (Tour S) served the fleet market, contributing 30-35% to its sales. However, Maruti Suzuki has announced that the new Dzire will not be available for fleet services. The Tour S will continue to be offered for fleet operations and has not been phased out.
