Through the years: Suzuki Dzire

The Suzuki Dzire has been on the global market for 15 years already. Spanning three generations, the nameplate is something one can consider a veteran in the compact car segment.

Interested to know about the history of this small car from Suzuki? Join us as we take a look at the Suzuki Dzire, through the years.

 

1st-generation Suzuki Dzire

Suzuki began manufacturing the Dzire back in 2008.

It was based on the first-generation Suzuki Swift hatchback and was seen as a sedan variation of the said model, hence it was called the Swift Dzire.

The Suzuki Dzire’s first iteration had wide diamond-shaped headlamps and a small grille. To its rear are taillamps that mimic the looks of what can be found at the front.

Powertrain options for the Suzuki Dzire back then were a 1.3-liter gasoline engine and a Fiat-sourced 1.3-liter diesel mill. It had a five-speed manual transmission.

Suzuki ran the first-generation Dzire for four years before it was discontinued for the general public.

However, the brand sold the model for fleet operators for four more years as the Swift Dzire Tour.

2nd-generation Suzuki Dzire

In 2012, Suzuki introduced the second-generation model of the nameplate. For its second iteration, the car shrunk down to allow the Dzire to get the tax benefit offered to sub-four-meter vehicles.

The wide diamond headlights grew thinner and the contours on the lower front bumper gave the Suzuki Dzire a grinning face. Its rear donned more angular taillamps and lost the two reflectors it had on its lower rear bumper.

The second-generation Suzuki Dzire was powered by either a 1.2-liter gasoline powerplant or a 1.3-liter diesel engine. Transmission options come in either a five-speed manual or a four-speed automatic.

In 2013, Suzuki gave the Dzire a facelift with minor exterior and interior upgrades. The following year, the Dzire saw the introduction of the Automatic Gear Shift (AGS), which is also fitted in the S-Presso in the Philippines.

3rd-generation Suzuki Dzire

The Suzuki Dzire dropped the Swift moniker for its third generation. Introduced in 2017, the car grew back its wide headlamps — although now noticeably longer — and had a slightly larger grille. Its rear end now had a more prominent trunk with almond-shaped taillamps.

One of the most important upgrades it received is the new HEARTEC platform, which makes use of tensile and high-tensile steel to improve chassis rigidity while offering the benefits of a lightweight material.

The underpinning allowed the car to grow wider and therefore offer a roomier interior.

In the country, the latest iteration of the Suzuki Dzire is offered three variants, GA, GL, and GLP. All are powered by a 1.2-liter engine mated to a five-speed manual gearbox or a five-speed AGS.

Globally, the Suzuki Dzire can be had with a hybrid engine, which is something that Filipino car buyers might want to jump into if it ever lands locally due to coding exemptions that the government is giving to electrified car buyers.

The Suzuki Dzire today is priced from P609,000-P819,000.

Photos from Suzuki Philippines

Also read: 

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