First drive: Suzuki Dzire Hybrid

When Suzuki Philippines Incorporated (SPI) introduced the all-new Dzire Hybrid at the 2025 Manila International Auto Show, it continued its upward trajectory of providing electrified rides for Filipino car buyers. 

But beyond the aforementioned, it also signifies the car brand’s intent to build upon the success of its Dzire nameplate, while staying steadfast in its status as the go-to brand for small cars. 

Moreover, the recently launched version of the Dzire comes with a relatively accessible price ranging from P920,000-P998,000. Sure, specific trims of its rivals, like the Toyota Vios, are more affordable, but most hybrids in the segment are often pricier. 

So, how does the all-new Suzuki Dzire Hybrid drive, and how does it perform on the highway and in-city roads? Zigwheels Philippines found out firsthand when SPI invited us to get a taste of the Dzire Hybrid through a 205-kilometer (round-trip) adventure from Taguig City to the La Jolla Luxury Resort in Bataan. Here’s how it went. 

Exterior: elegantly matured

Unlike the older internal combustion-only Dzire, the new Dzire Hybrid now features a more modern appearance that clearly reflects its wider array of amenities and its technologically advanced powertrain. 

At first glance, the car seemingly lost its baby fat, as it now sports a squared-off body shape that was sprinkled with sharp-looking design details. 

Up front, the vehicle sports a large black-colored grille, a pair of rectangular LED headlamp clusters, and a sculpted hood. Its side sections, on the other hand, come with a wealth of character lines complemented by a sleek roofline and a shark fin antenna. 

Towards the rear of the car are a pair of eye-catching Y-shaped LED taillights, a shapely lower rear bumper, and a tailgate-mounted ducktail spoiler. 

The look of the Suzuki Dzire Hybrid, particularly the top-spec GLX trim that we drove, is completed by a set of 15-inch two-tone alloy wheels. 

Other notable equipment available for the Dzire Hybrid GLX includes, but is not limited to, the following: 

• Power-folding, power-adjust side mirrors
• Guide me home headlamp function
• Chrome beltline trims
• LED front fog lamps
• Automatic headlamp functionality

Size-wise, the Suzuki-made hybrid sedan is 3,995 millimeters (mm) long, 1,735 mm wide, and 1,525 mm in height. It also has a wheelbase length of 2,450 mm and a ground clearance of 145 mm. 

Interior: well-arranged, decently equipped

Step inside the Suzuki Dzire Hybrid and you’ll be greeted by a well-arranged five-seater cabin. Key visual elements inside the car include its attractively shaped dashboard with silver and faux wood trim, a flat-bottom leather-wrapped steering wheel, and numerous backlit buttons for the vehicle’s automatic air conditioning (AC) system. 

Positioned on top of its dash is a nine-inch floating-type touchscreen with Android Auto and wireless Apple CarPlay. During the drive, we didn’t get the chance to try out the wireless smartphone connectivity feature since everyone in our unit used Android phones. 

Regardless, the said touchscreen showcased a sharp and lag-free interface. We likewise appreciated the presence of physical buttons for the AC, as it was easier to use while keeping one’s attention on the road.

For the Dzire Hybrid's seats, they came with sufficient comfort with their relatively soft cushioning and fabric upholstery. The front ones have manual adjustability, but they were accommodating even for the writer’s girthy five feet and eleven inch frame. Headroom and legroom for both the front and rear cabin were likewise good. 

Other notable features inside the vehicle include the following: 

• Cup/Bottle holders
• 12-volt accessory outlet
• USB ports (Type-A front and rear, Type-C rear only)
• Four-piece speaker system
• Push-to-start button
• Analog gauges with liquid crystal display
• Cruise control
• Rear cabin AC vents

The trunk of the vehicle, on the other hand, could hold up to 378 liters of cargo. The amount of space was enough for four medium-sized pieces of luggage (two for each occupant during the drive). 

To note, the Suzuki Dzire Hybrid doesn’t razzle-dazzle when it comes to creature comforts, but we can confidently say that it covers all the basics. 

Our one and only gripe with the car’s interior, however, is the lack of a Type-C USB port for the front cabin. Most modern smartphones, after all, now use Type-C ports, and it's far more convenient to bring a dedicated Type-C cable compared to lugging around a second Type-C to Type-A cable. 

Safety

For safety, the Suzuki Dzire Hybrid impresses with its six airbag setup. The aforementioned remains uncommon in vehicles within the sub-P1 million price point, after all. 

Additionally, the model also comes with anti-lock braking, traction control, and stability control, brake assist, hill-hold control, ISOFIX child seat anchors, an engine immobilizer, rear parking sensors, and a rearview camera. 

The video feed of the rearview camera isn’t that sharp, but it has more than enough definition to alert the driver of rearward obstacles. 

Powertrain and drive

Under the hood of the Suzuki Dzire Hybrid is a 1.2-liter inline-3 gasoline mill equipped with a dual variable valve timing system. The gasoline three-banger is paired with a continuously variable transmission (CVT), as well as a 12-volt hybrid system consisting of a 2.19 kilowatt electric motor and a lithium-ion battery. 

In total, the Dzire Hybrid’s powertrain can generate up to 80 horsepower (hp) and 111.7 Newton-meters of torque. It also depends on a MacPherson strut front and torsion beam rear suspension for ride quality and stability, as well as a front disc and rear drum setup for stopping power. 

In driving the Suzuki-made hybrid sedan in the city, it demonstrated steady power delivery. Overtaking slower vehicles is easy, and crawling through traffic is effortless due to its smooth accelerator response. Steering was likewise felt direct, and braking was more than sufficient. 

Likewise, the Suzuki Dzire Hybrid takes great advantage of its compact size in tight traffic. It has fewer blind spots compared to larger models, and parking is also a breeze. 

On the highways, however, the model will take a bit of time to get up to speed. Regardless, it can reach 100 kilometers per hour without straining the engine, but passing other vehicles on the North Luzon Expressway will require some extra deliberation and care. 

Interestingly, Suzuki did a good job of taming the three-cylinder. Unlike on other cars with three-bangers, the Dzire Hybrid’s engine actually felt smooth and quiet. At speed, though, some tire noise can be heard, but it wasn’t enough to become annoying. 

For its fuel efficiency, the car we used returned 16.7 kilometers per liter (kpl) until our fuel stop at Caltex Diwa-Pilar. Mind you, all participating cars during the Suzuki Dzire Hybrid media drive event to Bataan were competing in a fuel economy run, and some groups achieved more than 20 kpl during the said section of the drive. 

Impressively enough, the car’s range meter actually increased during the fuel economy run. We started the drive with a reading of around 420 kilometers, and ended up with around 470 km when racing Caltex Diwa-Pilar.

The aforementioned, of course, can be attributed to the car’s hybrid powertrain and its regenerative braking system. According to Suzuki, the said system utilizes the car's electric motor as a generator to convert kinetic energy into electrical energy. 

Additionally, the model also has an automatic engine start-stop system (EASS). When coming to a stop, the system temporarily shuts down the engine to save fuel. To turn it on again and continue driving, simply tap the accelerator. 

Suzuki Dzire: summary of specifications

Model	Suzuki Dzire Hybrid GLX
Exterior
Dimensions (L x W x H, in mm)	3,995x1,735x1,525
Wheelbase (mm)	2,450
Ground clearance (mm)	145
Wheel size	15-inches
Lighting system	LED
Interior
Material	Fabric
Amenities	Analog gauges with digital display Push-to-start button Keyless entry Automatic air-conditioning Rear AC vents USB ports 12-volt accessory outlet Cruise control Flat-bottom steering wheel Front cabin armrest Bottle/cup holders EASS
Infotainment system	Nine-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
Seating capacity	Five
Powertrain
Engine	1.2-liter inline-3
Fuel type	Gasoline
Transmission	Continuously variable transmission
Horsepower	80
Torque	111.7 Nm
Hybrid system	Electric motor, lithium-ion battery
Technology
Safety	Six airbags Anti-lock braking Stability control Hill-hold control Parking sensors Rear view camera Electronic brake-force distribution ISOFIX
Security	Engine immobilizer Car alarm
Price	P998,000

Final thoughts

In summary, the Suzuki Dzire Hybrid is a highly competent sedan for in-city driving and highway cruising. No, it isn’t the fastest-accelerating model in its class, but it still provides a smooth driving experience. 

Coupled with its fuel-sipping efficiency, the Dzire Hybrid is one attractive ride for people looking for a daily sedan.

As mentioned above, the Suzuki Dzire Hybrid starts at P920,000 for the entry-level GL. The top-spec GLX, meanwhile, retails at P998,000. Both, as we’ve said, are quite accessible price-wise. So, if you like what you’re seeing in this electrified sedan, do visit your nearest Suzuki dealership for a test drive. 

Also read: 

Suzuki Dzire Hybrid: strengths and weaknesses

Check out the Suzuki Dzire Hybrid's 2 trims

Suzuki Jimny 5-Door: strengths and weaknesses