After two months and 3,500 kilometers, the “new car smell” for the new Maruti Suzuki Dzire has faded, but the car has actually grown on me. Most of my driving happens in a mix of environments, from city bypasses to those unpredictable rural roads that really test a car’s metal. Here is how it’s actually holding up in the wild.
There was a lot of talk about a move to the 3-cylinder engine for Maruti Suzuki Dzire, but in daily use, it’s a not really that apparent of an issue. The car feels zippy enough for highway overtakes, and the AMT is quite a bit smoother than older generations. You still get a bit of that “automatic pause” if you floor it, but shouldn’t be a hassle most of the time.
The seats are another good point in the record book. They are comfortable and spacious enough for long stints behind the wheel. However, after several multi-hour drives, I really felt the absence of a front middle armrest. It’s one of those small omissions that would have made the driving ergonomics much more likeable.
As for the environment inside, the NVH levels are decent for this segment. It’s quiet in the city, though you do start to notice some cabin noise once you hit high speeds, especially on concrete highways.
One area where I was pleasantly surprised is the stock LED headlights. Usually, the first thing people do with new cars is look for aftermarket lighting, but these are moderately good. They offer a strong throw and a clear spread.
The real hero, however, is the ride quality. On rural patches where the asphalt is more of a suggestion than a reality, the suspension is surprisingly better. It soaks up the thuds without tossing the passengers around. It does not feel fragile when the roads get rough.
As someone who often travels with a lot of gear, the boot space was my biggest concern. I’m happy to report, it’s doable. I’ve managed to fit all my camera bags, tripods, and personal luggage.
On the efficiency front, I’ve been averaging 15.9 KMPL. That’s a real-world figure with the AC always on and a very mixed bag of driving conditions. It’s not the laboratory-tested 25 kmpl you see in the ads, but for a petrol automatic being put through its paces, I’m quite content.
The interior feels like a step up. The 9-inch infotainment screen is bright and nice. It definitely makes you feel the distinction between the old and the new. And then there’s the sunroof, and look, it’s small. It’s not going to win any “panoramic” awards, but it does change the mood of the cabin, making it feel less cramped on long solo drives. But should a panoramic sunroof be provided ? In this day and age when it comes as standard on almost all cars, absolutely yes!
It hasn’t been entirely perfect. The wireless CarPlay is great when it works, but I’ve noticed a few glitches after a couple of hours of continuous use. Sometimes the audio lags or the connection just drops out of nowhere. It’s a minor annoyance, but something to keep in mind if you rely heavily on maps for long journeys.
The new Dzire feels like it’s grown up. It’s no longer just a “safe bet” for fuel economy, it’s actually a nice place to spend time. It’s handled the grit of rural roads and the boredom of city traffic with equal ease. Aside from the occasional software hiccup and missing out on a few essentials, it’s been a solid companion for the last 3,500 KMs.
