New 2015 Maruti Suzuki Swift DZire : Detailed Review

Now the Maruti Suzuki Swift DZire has been around for a while and has comfortably led the sub-4 metre sedan market ever since the second generation was launched in 2012. In fact even after the debut of cars like the Honda Amaze and the more recently Hyundai Xcent and the Tata Zest coming in, it continues to be the best-selling car in its class. But it has been gradually falling behind especially considering the features that these new offerings are coming with and keeping that in mind, it was time for Maruti to give its entry-level sedan offering an update. The changes on the refreshed Swift DZire are few but are they really substantial? 

Exterior and Design: rating_3.0_rating

To make the refreshed Swift DZire stand out from its previous model, Maruti has given it a bolder chrome grille up front. On either side of the grille are those large swept back headlights that have now been blackened out. The bumper has been redesigned too and it now houses the circular fog lamps adjacent to which are the chrome accents like the ones on the new Swift. In profile and at the back, the 2015 Swift DZire continues to look the same. The car that we got our hands on was the mid-variant Vxi which came with wheel caps, the top-end trim though comes with similar looking 10-spoke alloy wheels. The Swift DZire was never a looker but now despite the changes it is starting to look dated. 

Car Courtesy: Shivam Autozone

Interior and Space: rating_3.5_rating 

Not much has changed on the interior front. The refreshed Swift DZire continues to sport the same beige-black dual-tone dashboard. Hints of faux wood finish above the glove box and on the doors give it a premium feel. The mid-spec model that we drove came with an all black steering wheel but like the outgoing model the top-end trim get silver accents. Knee and leg room at the back is decent but seating three might just be a little squeeze. 

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Features and Equipment: rating_4.0_rating

This is the area in which Maruti has made the most number of changes to the Swift DZire. The top-of-the line variant now gets keyless entry, Bluetooth telephony and parking sensors, all of which weren't on the outgoing model. The addition of all of these features does bring it close to its rivals but then the absence of leather wrapped steering wheel and reversing camera does not go unnoticed. 

Car Courtesy: Shivam Autozone

Engine And Performance: rating_4.0_rating

This is a facelift so Maruti hasn't changed the engine either. The Swift DZire continues to be offered with the same 1.3-litre diesel mill and the 1.2-litre petrol. The one we drove was a petrol that pumps power of 83 horses and makes 115Nm. The engine feels smooth to climb up the revs and there is a fair bit of eagerness in the mid-range too but push it closer to the red line and it starts to cough up for power. The five speed gearbox is smooth and the shifts too are precise. 

Ride and Ease of Driving: rating_3.5_rating

Talking about gear shifts, inappropriate gear ratios can really demand a lot of work driving in the city. But that isn't the case with the Swift DZire, the gear ratios are fairly sorted which evades the need to shift between gears time and again. Ride quality over bumpy roads is good. It can fair bit of rough road riding without causing pain to the people inside. Visibility from the driver’s seat isn't great and one needs to keep that extra margin for error if you don't have a fair judgement of the corners. The addition of parking sensors is a boon though. 

Car Courtesy: Shivam Autozone

Handling and Braking: rating_4.0_rating

The Swift DZire has been a car that finds a fair balance between good ride quality and decent handling and since the overall setup remains unchanged this new version is no different. The steering feels nice to grip, is precise and has adequate feedback. The car can manage quick changes in direction without much effort however you feel the need for better tyres. The Swift DZire sports disc brakes up front and a drum setup at the back. There is enough bite from the brakes and the car doesn't quite lose its line under heavy braking either. 

Price and Efficiency: rating_3.5_rating

Maruti claims that the efficiency has now increased by 9 per cent thanks to improved thermal efficiency and reduced frictional losses. As opposed to the 19.1kmpl from the outgoing model, the 2015 Swift DZire boasts of a ARAI claimed efficient of 20.8kmpl, which is currently the best-in-class. With regards to pricing, at Rs 7.08 lakh for the top-end petrol variant, the Swift DZire is the second most expensive sub-4metre sedan after the Amaze and it doesn't quite help in strengthening its case. 

Verdict: rating_3.5_rating

On the one hand Maruti has finally made the list of features a little longer and it sure brings it at par with the competition. As far as the engine, performance and efficiency is concerned, the Swift DZire has already proven its ground time time and again. While these changes are just right for now, in a time when manufacturers are bringing in refreshed models every two years, Maruti needs to give the DZire a design upgrade soon to ensure that it remains at the top. So is the DZire still worth buying? If it's looks don't bother you and want a reliable, easy to maintain car, then it is still a good buy. 

Car Courtesy: Shivam Autozone