The Suzuki Dzire and its surprising tech

Subcompact vehicles are usually the most attractive in terms of affordability, but may scrimp on the important stuff such as safety and convenience technologies — which means car buyers miss out on a more refined ride.

Compact car expert Suzuki begs to differ with the Suzuki Dzire, which simultaneously offers a friendlier-priced vehicle yet ticks the right boxes in terms of features and safety measures.

Still powered by a powerful and fuel efficient 1.2-liter engine delivering 82 horses and 113Nm, the 2021 version of the sedan is priced at P648,000 for the GL MT variant and P708,000 for the GL +AGS. And it’s all about getting maximum value for each peso.

Let’s take a look at key highlights of the Suzuki Dzire.

An innovative transmission that gives the best of both worlds

The Dzire's GL+ variant is equipped with Suzuki’s so-called automated manual transmission called Auto Gear Shift (AGS). Essentially, this innovative transmission gives the comfort of driving an automatic with the fuel efficiency of a manual transmission. It uses Suzuki’s Intelligent Shift Control Actuator that governs the shift and clutch. Throttle input helps the system to determine if you want to downshift. The M position allows the driver to cycle through the gears sequentially. The result is fuel efficiency, greater control, and convenience.

A platform that excels

Suzuki builds the Dzire upon an innovative platform called HEARTECT. It is light and highly rigid, and promises benefits such as lower fuel consumption while positively impacting vehicle performance. Its characterized by smooth and continuous curves, and also has the benefit of more effectively dispersing impact energy in case of a collision. The platform has strategically located and carefully designed crumple zones which will absorb the energy — keeping occupants safe within a protective shell. The focus on safety extends even to pedestrians, who are sought to be protected from severe injury through the TECT (Total Effective Control System). The hood, front windscreen wiper area, front bumper and other parts are engineered to absorb impact.

A tech shell of safety

In addition to the protection afforded by the platform. The Suzuki Dzire gets an impressive complement of active safety measures. One of them is electronic stability program or ESP(GL/GL+). This system exerts automatic control over engine torque and brakes when it detects wheel slip — ensuring control during potentially hazardous road conditions. The vehicle also gets hill hold control (GL+), which keeps the vehicle from moving backward when on an incline — without the need to step on the brake pedal or engage the handbrake. Dual airbags are also present. The Dzire also boasts reverse parking sensors (GL/GL+) for added confidence when backing up.

Bonus: Functional niceties

The boot of this sedan boasts 378 liters of capacity. There are multiple storage spaces and nooks such as front door pockets, cupholders, and rear door pockets. The rear arm rest has cup holders as well. Rear passengers get their own air-conditioning vents and a 12V accessory socket.

The GL variant comes in Arctic White Pearl, Premium Silver and Midnight Black Pearl. As for the GL+, the New Dzire is available in Sherwood Brown Pearl, Oxford Blue Pearl Metallic, Magma Fray Metallic and Phoenix Red Pearl which is the newest addition to the color list of Dzire.

 

For more information, visit any of the 74 Suzuki Philippines dealerships nationwide. Check out http://suzuki.com.ph/auto/, like https://twitter.com/SuzukiAutoPH, and follow @suzukiautoph on Instagram.

Photos from Suzuki Philippines