I travelled down to Kwa-Zulu Natal to sample the third generation of Suzuki’s popular Swift hatchback and Dzire sedan, which as I discovered, has been priced with affordable mobility in mind.

New generation looks

The Swift has always been a cute compact machine and this third generation model is no different, although, my colleagues and I couldn’t help but notice that it shares a few styling cues with other small cars both new and old. Take the rounded headlamps and distinctive grille, which is unmistakably Suzuki, yet resembles a certain budget contender from the Blue Oval and indeed, a more premium contender from Hyundai.

 In side profile, it cuts a typical budget car silhouette but incorporates a sporty upswept shoulder line and rear door handles which are located near the top of the C-pillar and help create a ‘floating roof’ of sorts. At the rear, its wide bumper and protruding taillamps appear as a modern take on the likes of the Toyota Etios. The Swift looks compact and despite the fact that it is shorter than the older model, it is also notably wider, which the brand claims aids in its length to width ratio. In basic terms, the new car offers better space and practicality as a result.

The Dzire model resembles the Swift, but no longer gets the Swift badge and is now a stand-alone model. Expect a chrome grille up front, small sedan proportions when viewed from the side and a simple rear design with lashings of chrome for an overall design that can be likened to a scaled-down and modernised version of the now defunct Kizashi sedan.

Interior counts

The interior of the new Swift isn’t exactly groundbreaking in terms of design, but is ergonomically simple, easy to use and looks a smidge more upmarket. The new D-shaped steering wheel helps with the perceived quality, however, there is still evidence of cheap plastics throughout the cabin while on the infotainment front, an old-school system is still in place, with the colour touchscreen system seen on European-spec Swift models a notable absentee.

Practicality is improved though, with respectable front and rear head and legroom while the boot, which was minuscule on the older model, is now more capacious at 268-litres while the Dzire, which looks almost identical inside, sports a 378-litre boot.

Powertrain

Despite the fact that there is a 1.0-litre turbo petrol Boosterjet motor available overseas, Suzuki South Africa has stated that the future of that engine is uncertain amidst ever-more stringent Euro emissions regulations. This means that local Swift and Dzire models are sourced from India and both get a 61kW/113Nm naturally aspirated 1.2-litre petrol motor mated to either a five-speed manual or an automated manual transmission(AMT).

Fuel consumption is claimed at 4.9-litres/100km and having sampled other models from the brand, I can confirm that its claimed consumption figures are achievable in real-world driving conditions.

Driving Swift and Dzire

Having two separate driving routes for both the Swift and Dzire, we set out to sample the newcomers through varied driving conditions. The car’s sub-900kg kerb weight means that the small motor proves sufficient for most daily driving tasks while the five-speed manual on offer provided light and easy gear shifts with respectable ratios for city and highway driving. I feel that a larger set of wheels with a wider contact patch would improve both cars’ handling and compliance though.

The general refinement and drive quality are commendable for a small car, especially at this price point, making the Swift a very accomplished contender within this burgeoning segment. I did note that the Dzire, surprisingly felt a tad more premium in its driving experience versus the Swift, which could be down to the fact that a lower weight was the objective with the Swift.

Verdict

The latest Swift and Dzire are great additions to the local Suzuki line-up. Despite the lacklustre interior and basic features, both models are very reasonably priced, meaning that the Swift and Dzire will appeal to consumers looking to tighten their belt when it comes to transport costs. Lookout for a more detailed driving impression of both of these models in our Road Test section in the coming weeks.

Warranty and service

All models come with a five-year / 200 000 km warranty and a two-year / 30 000 km service plan.

Pricing

Swift range

1.2 GA Manual   R159 900             

1.2 GL Manual    R175 900            

1.2 GL AMT        R189 900

Dzire range

1.2 GA Manual R161 900

1.2 GL Manual R177 900

1.2 GL AMT R191 900