The Perfect First Car, My First NEV, The Suzuki Dzire

The Suzuki Dzire is currently on its fourth generation. Historically, the Suzuki Dzire is the sedan version of the hatchback Suzuki Swift. Essentially a trunk grafted to the rear of the hatchback body. Which left something to be desired in the design integration of the Dzire. Now, the Dzire is ground up design from Suzuki’s Indian subsidiary, Maruti. And not to be a late comer in the electrification game, it was the first sub compact sedan in the market that had electrification when it was introduced. Well, it’s a mild hybrid vehicle. Nonetheless, the Dzire Hybrid GLX is a comfortable sedan that can seat 5-persons maximum and be efficient on fuel.

Engine is a 1.2-liter engine (Z12E) making 80hp and 111.7 Nm of torque. Not huge numbers but ample numbers for a daily driver and a first car. The electric motor is a 2.93hp powered by a 12-volt lithium-ion battery. The battery is a 0.072kWh power unit, not really a powerhouse of a battery but still useful. It is used to assist the engine under acceleration for better fuel efficiency numbers. Charging the battery is through the engine and the car’s regenerative braking once you go over speeds of 40kph. It’s a perfect civilized car. One thing though, the electric system is not seamless. You can sense a little jerkiness as the system switches between the electric motor, ICE engine and charging. Nothing worrying but it can be noticeable at times. The combined fuel consumption is set at 29.73km/l as rated by the AAP. In our 200km. test drive we averaged 11.9 km/l, on the city which is still impressive.

Driving the Suzuki Dzire had been a comfortable experience. Going over ruts and bumps, they were sufficiently damped. The rear suspension was absolutely well behaved and quiet. The trailing arm suspension did its job quietly. Normally the rear suspension is the weak point on the same kind vehicles with similar suspension set ups, it seems Suzuki got it right. The stock tires is a now standard 15-inch diameter alloy wheel with a 185mm section width and a 65-aspect profile., makes a meaty tire set up, could be wider but it suffices. Steering effort is light and accurate. The car is surprisingly very easy to drive. Maneuvering the car is easy with the outward view from the driver’s seat was abundant. No blind spots or anything of that sort. The a-pillars, a problem in today’s vehicles were just the right size.

Now let’s talk about the interior, the inside is well thought out with buttons and switches that help you control features through touch and not take your eyes off the road. Steering effort is light but accurate, the car is surprisingly easy to drive. The seats are wrapped by high-quality beige cloth fabric.

The rest of the dash is hard wearing plastic in black and beige and also faux wood paneling. The interior has a light and airy feel to it. You can find the perfect sitting position with the seat adjustments. You also get tilt adjustments for the steering wheel column. The steering wheel has a host of buttons to access the cruise control, audio controls, the wireless hands free functions. The audio system is a 6-speaker affair is a little deficient in the bass department but that easily solved by an audio system upgrade. The high mounted tweeters were not harsh and mid-range is non-adjustable but present

The transmission is a smooth shifting CVT. There is a lockup damper with low rigidity to the torque converter that minimizes the loss of torque, delivers higher fuel efficiency and decreases maintenance cost.

Forward of the gear selector are the drink holders, the accessory power supply and the USB inputs for the audio system which is Android Auto and Apple CarPlay equipped.

The head-unit displays some of the functions of the car to keep you informed. There is a small info display in the instrument cluster that tells you more of the car’s vitals.

What I really appreciate about the Dzire’s dash is how it keeps me informed without overwhelming me. The multi‑information display shows fuel economy, hybrid energy flow, and trip data in a way that feels clear and useful, while the analog gauges give that familiar sense of control.

It’s not flashy, but it’s practical. Everything I need is right there at a glance, making the drive feel connected and effortless.

As I’ve said, the interior seats 5 persons comfortably. The rear seats are amply padded and the rear seat backrest features a drink holder in the center when it’s dropped down.

Rear center A/C vents keep rear occupants cool and power outlets are found in the center console. A storage slot is behind the USB A AND USB C ports to so you can keep your phones charged.

Styling-wise, the Dzire is one of the few cars today that has a rear duck tail spoiler and a rear window extension. Side skirts or extensions is also featured. Though optional, it is to help with the aerodynamics of the car and ultimately the fuel efficiency. The rear duck tail spoiler comes standard. The front and rear bumper chrome accent is only cosmetic but ties in the whole theme of the car. The headlights are LED and fog lights are LED units also.  Overall shape of the Dzire is handsome car. Sporty in some angles. A practical design exercise for the guys at Maruti.

 

Trunk space is an ample 382 liters, perfect for cabin-sized trolley bags, standard-sized child strollers, groceries, weekend bags, and some extras. You also get a space saver spare tire, which seem to be the norm nowadays.

At the end of the day, the Suzuki Dzire Hybrid GLX feels like a car made for everyday life. It’s comfortable, practical, and carries just the right touch of electrification to make city drives smoother without complicating things. The mild‑hybrid system keeps fuel use efficient, the cabin is thoughtfully laid out, and the driving dynamics are light and easy. Priced at just ₱998,000 in the Philippines, it offers strong value for anyone stepping into electrified mobility for the first time. You even get to choose a finish that matches your personality, whether it’s the clean look of Arctic White Pearl, the sleek Magma Gray Metallic, or the vibrant Alluring Blue Pearl Metallic. For me, that combination of price, practicality, and choice makes the Dzire Hybrid GLX a perfect first car and a reassuring entry into electrified driving. Truly, a perfect practical car for your first ride and your first electrified vehicle.

Big thanks to Big Bert’s Professional Detailers Ortigas for the clean prep that made the Suzuki Dzire Hybrid GLX look its absolute best. Truly, their detailing brought out the car’s shine and character perfectly.