Here are the Suzuki Dzire Hybrid's main rivals

Suzuki Philippines Incorporated (SPH) has definitely stepped up its sedan game when it brought in the all-new Dzire Hybrid. 

While it remains one of the smaller subcompact sedans in the local market, Suzuki’s latest iteration of its locally available version has plenty of desirable characteristics that many buyers are looking for. 

It looks modern, provides a good amount of safety gear and a decent number of creature comforts, plus, it's an electrified model that’s touted to provide better fuel efficiency. 

So, what are the rivals of the Suzuki Dzire Hybrid in the Philippines? 

Before going over the Suzuki models' key competitors, however, let’s have a summary of its specifications and features. 

Suzuki Dzire Hybrid

In the Philippine market, the Suzuki Dzire Hybrid has a price tag of P920,000 for the entry-level GL and P998,000 for the top-spec GLX. 

For its exterior, the electrified Suzuki sedan wears a sharply designed body that evolved from the rounder one of the previous generation model.

As far as the top-spec GLX goes, it has LED headlamps with automatic functionality, LED daytime running lamps, and LED taillights. It also has power-folding side mirrors with integrated turn signal lamps, front LED fog lamps, and a set of 15-inch alloy wheels. 

Inside, the Suzuki Dzire Hybrid offers a well-arranged cabin with ample space for up to five occupants. Its seats are clad in fabric, and all inside are kept cool by an automatic air-conditioning system with rear vents. 

For on-board entertainment, the Suzuki-made sedan’s top-spec trim comes with a nine-inch infotainment screen linked to a four-piece speaker set. The aforementioned screen is equipped with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and topping up devices inside the ride is easily done thanks to its 12-volt accessory outlet and USB ports. 

Other notable interior equipment of the Suzuki Dzire Hybrid includes the following:

• Push-to-start button
• Analog gauge with LCD display
• Keyless entry
• Cruise control
• Drive mode selector
• Tilt-adjustable steering column

Safety aboard the model is handled by anti-lock braking, electronic stability control, hill-hold control, rearview camera, ISOFIX child seat anchors, engine immobilizer, car alarm, and parking sensors - among others. 

Propelling the model is a 1.2-liter inline-3 gasoline engine paired with a 12-volt hybrid system. It also has an engine start-stop system (EASS) for improved fuel efficiency. Power is sent to its front wheels via a continuously variable transmission (CVT). 

Here is a table detailing the basic specifications of the Suzuki Dzire Hybrid: 

Engine	1.2-liter inline-3 gasoline
Hybrid system	12-volt hybrid system
Drivetrain	Front-wheel-drive
Transmission	CVT
Horsepower	80
Torque	111.7 Nm
Front suspension	MacPherson strut
Rear suspension	Torsion beam
Brakes	Front disc, rear drums

BYD Seal 5 DM-i

Contrary to the Suzuki Dzire Hybrid, the BYD Seal 5 DM-i is one of the larger cars in the subcompact sedan segment. Regardless, its price range of P948,000-P1.198 million puts it within striking range of its Suzuki-made competitor. 

Similar to the Suzuki sedan, the BYD Seal 5 DM-i also utilizes a hybrid mill. Specifically, its powertrain consists of a 1.5-liter gasoline engine paired with an electric motor, a regenerative braking system, and a lithium-iron-phosphate battery. 

For added practicality, the BYD-made sedan features a vehicle-to-load system that can power small devices on the go. 

For further clarification, here’s a table detailing the basic mechanical specs of the BYD Seal 5 DM-i: 

Engine	1.5-liter inline-4 gasoline
Hybrid system	Single motor, lithium-iron-phosphate battery
Drivetrain	Front-wheel-drive
Transmission	Electronic continuously variable transmission
Horsepower	194
Torque	235 Nm
Front suspension	MacPherson strut
Rear suspension	Torsion beam
Brakes	Front and rear discs

 

Additionally, the BYD Seal 5 DM-i features a sleek exterior, complete with full LED exterior lighting, power-folding side mirrors with heating, and a set of 17-inch alloy wheels. 

Inside, the model boasts leather-upholstered seats, dual-zone automatic climate controls, a 12.8-inch rotating infotainment system with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and wireless smartphone charging. 

The aforementioned screen is linked to an eight-piece speaker set (Premium trim). Furthermore, the model comes standard with a voice assistant, 4G connectivity, over-the-air software updates, and access to the BYD cloud service (BYD app). 

The driver of the BYD Seal 5 DM-i also has access to the following features: 

• Electronic parking brake
• Leather steering wheel
• Drive mode selector
• Tilt and telescopic steering column
• Push-to-start button
• Keyless entry
• NFC card reader
• 8.8-inch digital gauge cluster

For safety, the BYD Seal 5 DM-i comes with what you’d expect from a modern sedan. It comes with anti-lock braking, six airbags, stability control, vehicle dynamic control, hill-start control, tire-pressure monitoring, a 360-degree view camera, and parking sensors - among others. 

Toyota Vios

One of the most dominant subcompact sedan nameplates in the Philippine market is the Toyota Vios. As of this writing, it commands a price range of P738,000-P1.039 million, which places it as a potential alternative to the Suzuki Dzire Hybrid. 

Especially on its higher-spec trims, the Toyota Vios offers a stylish exterior complemented by LED lighting fixtures, power-folding side mirrors, and a set of 15-inch wheels. 

Inside, the model features fabric upholstery, automatic climate control, a six-piece speaker system, USB ports, and a 12-volt accessory outlet. Dominating its dashboard is an eight-inch touchscreen display with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and the ability to accept voice commands. 

Handling safety features for the Toyota-made sedan include dual front airbags, side airbags, curtain shield airbags, driver’s knee airbag, anti-lock braking, vehicle stability control, hill-start assist, ISOFIX child seat anchors, reverse camera, a digital video recorder (dashcam), rear parking sensors, and a security system. 

On higher-spec trims, the Toyota Vios uses a 1.5-liter inline-4 gasoline engine paired with a continuously variable transmission. 

Here’s a table detailing the basic mechanical specifications of the Toyota Vios, specifically the G variant: 

Engine	1.5-liter inline-4 gasoline
Drivetrain	Front-wheel-drive
Transmission	CVT
Horsepower	105
Torque	140 Nm
Front suspension	MacPherson strut
Rear suspension	Torsion beam
Brakes	Front and rear discs

Honda City

Another subcompact sedan that qualifies as an alternative to the Suzuki Dzire Hybrid is the Honda City. Currently, the Honda-made sedan has a price ranging from P973,000-P1.128 million. 

Style-wise, the Honda City looks like a miniaturized version of its larger Honda Civic sibling. It has a sporty-looking design that’s complemented by sharp LED lighting fixtures, automatic headlamps, power-folding side mirrors, and 16-inch alloy wheels. 

For its top-spec variant, the appearance of the Honda City is further enhanced by RS-specific body parts that come with a high-gloss black finish. 

Inside, the model comes with leather upholstery, an automatic air-conditioning system, and an eight-inch infotainment system with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The model also provides a leather-wrapped steering wheel, push-to-start button, and a four-piece speaker set. 

For safety, the said model primarily depends on the Honda Sensing suite of advanced driver-assist systems (ADAS). The aforementioned are comprised of the following:

• Adaptive cruise control
• Collision mitigation braking system
• Lane-keep assist
• Road departure mitigation
• Automatic high beams
• Lead car departure notification

Propelling the Honda City is a 1.5-liter inline-4 gasoline engine paired with a CVT. Like most of its rivals, the Honda nameplate is front-wheel-drive. 

Here is a table showing the basic mechanical specs of the Honda City: 

Engine	1.5-liter inline-4 gasoline
Drivetrain	Front-wheel-drive
Transmission	CVT
Horsepower	119
Torque	145 Nm
Front suspension	MacPherson strut
Rear suspension	Torsion beam
Brakes	Front discs, rear drum

Final thoughts

The Suzuki Dzire Hybrid may not be the most powerful in its segment, nor does it offer the most amenities; however, being one of the smaller subcompact sedans on the market comes with several advantages. As one could imagine, it will be easier to park, and it will do swimmingly in tight in-city roads. 

As proven by our first impressions review of the model, it is also very thrifty when it comes to fuel consumption. From a combination of highway, city, and provincial road driving, the model managed to return 16.7 kilometers per liter. 

If you’re eyeing the Suzuki Dzire Hybrid, we highly encourage you to give it a test drive at your nearest Suzuki dealership. Doing so will make for a better car-buying experience, after all.

Also read:

First drive: Suzuki Dzire Hybrid

Suzuki Dzire Hybrid: strengths and weaknesses

Check out the Suzuki Dzire Hybrid's 2 trims

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