2024 Maruti Suzuki Dzire review: Where safety meets style

To borrow a line from the legendary Bob Dylan, ‘The Times They Are A-Changin’ — and so is the humble compact sedan. Gone are the days when these cars were just practical, value-for-money family vehicles. Enter the all-new Maruti Suzuki Dzire, designed not just for getting from A to B, but according to the company, it is crafted to aspire successful and contemporary car buyers. 

Maruti took the old blueprint, tossed it out the window, and came up with a next-gen Dzire’s avant-garde design, state-of-the-art tech and safety features that make it feel like a Fort Knox.

Let’s dive into why the all-new fourth-generation Dzire is the Swiss Army knife of sedans—a blend of style, safety, premium vibes, efficiency, and value for money as it still has enough change left over to treat yourself to a coffee and more importantly tank up the car.

Maruti Suzuki Dzire review: Head turner 

Maruti Suzuki has raised the stakes with the launch of the all-new Dzire, showcasing a contemporary and aggressive design language. As India’s number one automobile manufacturer, Maruti Suzuki has introduced a bold front fascia featuring all-LED jeweled headlights that provide exceptional illumination. The two sculpted headlamp clusters are connected by a black piano panel, accented by a striking chrome strip that complements the LED daytime running lights (DRLs). The sedan exudes opulence, highlighted by an eye-catching front grille with five prominent horizontal slats. Additionally, the new Dzire is equipped with LED fog lamps for enhanced visibility.

The Dzire features a muscular clamshell bonnet that enhances its aesthetic appeal. The character line along the bonnet and above the wheel arches elegantly merges into the boot, giving the sedan a distinctive appearance while highlighting the new LED taillights. To subtly enhance the car’s side profile, the lower part of the window pane is accented with a chrome finish, and it rides on 15-inch dual-tone 8-spoke alloy wheels.

The rear design of the Dzire showcases its sophistication and sportiness, featuring a sweeping C-pillar, a shark fin antenna, and a low-profile rear spoiler. It includes an all-new LED Y-shaped tail lamp cluster complemented by a slim chrome strip integrated into the trunk lid.

The standout feature of any sedan is its boot space—something that hatchbacks and SUVs in the same segment just can’t compete with. The new Dzire offers a generous 382 litres of luggage space, an increase of 4 litres over the previous generation. Perfect for those long drives or weekend getaways.

Maruti Suzuki Dzire review: Shifting to chic

The Dzire’s cabin features a meticulously crafted dual-tone dashboard with four distinct layers. The predominant colours are beige and black, complemented by silver accents above a rich wooden panel. The overall interior is an eye candy but if you take a closer look the plastic panels could have been better.

At the centre of the dashboard is a 9-inch floating infotainment system, which includes an easy-to-use and responsive touchscreen. This system is equipped with features, including wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a wireless phone charger, and multiple charging options such as USB-A, USB Type-C, and a 12-volt socket, allowing you to connect virtually any device. Additionally, audiophiles will appreciate the Dzire’s 6-speaker high-fidelity Arkamys sound system.

The new Dzire, in many ways, is the trail setter in the compact sedan category by offering a variety of segment-first features. One standout feature is the single-panel electric sunroof, which is sure to delight many drivers. Additionally, the Dzire is equipped with a 360-degree camera, making parking easier and eliminating the risk of unsightly dents on the car. It is also the first in its class to include a tyre pressure monitoring system, enhancing safety, fuel efficiency, and maintenance benefits.

The three-spoke flat-bottom steering wheel features controls for audio, mobile phones, and cruise control, allowing the driver to adjust settings without taking their eyes off the road. Additionally, the sedan is equipped with an automatic climate control system that effectively keeps humidity and heat out of the cabin. Rear passengers also enjoy comfort, as they have access to air conditioning vents.

The cabin of the Dzire is thoughtfully designed to provide ample space and comfort for rear passengers. The back of the front seats is contoured to ensure sufficient knee and legroom. Additionally, the backrest of the rear bench features extra side bolsters for improved support, along with an armrest that includes twin cupholders.

The Dzire is also equipped with smart technology, thanks to Suzuki Connect, which offers over 40 telematics features. These include real-time vehicle tracking, remote control options, maintenance reminders, and safety and security alerts, keeping you informed and in control. Moreover, it is capable of receiving over-the-air (OTA) updates.

Maruti Suzuki Dzire review: Safety above all

The new Dzire sets the gold standard for safety in the compact sedan segment. Scoring top honours with a 5-star safety rating from Global NCAP, this sedan is not just about looks—it’s built to protect. Maruti Suzuki voluntarily put the Dzire through rigorous crash tests, and it aced them with a 5-star rating for adult occupant safety and a 4 stars for child occupant protection.

Built on the robust 5th-generation Heartect platform, the Dzire features a rigid body structure that efficiently absorbs and distributes crash forces. This engineering is why Global NCAP has praised the Dzire for its stable structure and footwell area, ensuring both safety and peace of mind on every drive. When it comes to safety, the Dzire isn’t just meeting the bar—it’s raising it.

Maruti Suzuki has successfully pushed the envelope when it comes to safety as the Dzire comes standard with 6 airbags, 3-point seat belts for all seats, seat belt reminder for driver and all passengers, Electronic Stability Program (ESP), Hill Hold Assist, ABS with EBD, reverse parking sensors and ISOFIX child seat anchorages.

Maruti Suzuki Dzire review: Fuel efficient yet responsive 

The all-new Dzire remains the sedan of choice for its fuel-efficient performance. The manual variant offers 24.79 kmpl, and the AMT delivers an impressive 25.71 kmpl, ensuring infrequent visits to the petrol station and savings for your wallet. Additionally, the Dzire will be available in a CNG version, boasting an exceptional fuel economy of 33.72 km/kg.

Despite returning such high mileage figures, the 1.2-litre 3-cylinder Z Series powertrain has a peppy response and tackles low-moving traffic with ease. Step on the accelerator and there’s plenty of torque and power to pick up pace in a jiffy and overtake another vehicle without a sweat in city limits. With 80 bhp at 5,700rpm and 111.7 Nm at 4,300rpm, the Dzire offers low-end torque delivery that ensures.

The manual version is paired with a 5-speed transmission, and the first three gears have a shorter ratio, making the Dzire feel right at home navigating the urban jungle’s traffic snarls. Once the tachometer needle crosses the 3,000 rpm mark, the engine gives out a growl which is music to the ears of an enthusiast and makes you want to sit back and enjoy the soundtrack. Sadly, the urgency from the engine tends to plateau out at this stage and the mid-range power band feels subdued. Apart from the initial vibrations from the engine, it is refined and the manual gearbox is a smooth operator. 

Maruti Suzuki continues to offer the best Automated Manual Transmission (AMT) in the business due to driving experience and refinement. Traditionally, AMTs would quickly upshift to save fuel, but they often struggled with downshifting, making overtaking a test of patience. However, the Dzire’s AMT breaks this mould, offering a natural driving experience that adapts seamlessly to different driving conditions. Gone are the days of jerky and notchy gear shifts—now, it’s all about smooth sailing.

Maruti Suzuki Dzire review: Ride and Handling

The Dzire continues to deliver a comfy ride for rear passengers, but Maruti Suzuki has worked some magic on the suspension to make the sedan handle a bit sharper. It’s still on the softer side—no one’s going to mistake it for a race car—but potholes? Consider them neutralized. You won’t be bouncing around like you’re on a trampoline, even if the road feels like one.

As for the steering, it’s light and easy, though it might not give you too much feedback. But let’s be honest—who’s really looking for that in a compact sedan? It’s a huge step up from the previous model, where the steering had all the feedback of a soggy sponge. The Dzire makes it a breeze to navigate tight traffic and park in tight spots.

Should you buy the new Dzire?

India’s best-selling sedan is back, and it’s ready to dazzle! Maruti Suzuki has launched the fourth-generation Dzire, priced between Rs 6.79 lakh and Rs 10.14 lakh (ex-showroom). This new compact sedan is a true all-rounder, offering segment-leading safety for both adults and children, a stylish design, impressive fuel efficiency, and unbeatable affordability—plus, it’s backed by the country’s most extensive service network. The new Dzire checks all the boxes for anyone looking for a practical, attractive, and budget-friendly sedan. So, what’s not to desire?