India's Best Entry Level Compact Sedan

Maruti Suzuki Swift DZire

Once again, the success of the Maruti Suzuki Swift DZire shows how well the company understands the demands of the Indian buyer, and delivers with maximum efficiency. Even though the Swift had proven to be a massive hit in the market, generating a large fan following and creating its own brand, Maruti Suzuki went ahead and created the Swift DZire, recognizing the obsession of the Indian masses - a car is not a car unless it has a boot.

In came Maruti boffins, and adapted its hot selling hatchback into a car with a boot, setting a precedent in India that European carmakers have started following only now. It may not look like a million bucks - the Swift's quintessential hatchback design does not accept a boot very easily from the aesthetic point of view - but long waiting lists for the DZire despite capacity jumps at Maruti Suzuki's plants just go to show how apt an idea it was, in hindsight.
Of course, there is very little to fault with the product itself. Recently following the Swift's cue and accepting the 1.2-litre K12M engine to comply with the BSIV norms, the DZire has grown to be an even more refined, fuel efficient and enjoyable car. It may not have sedan-like space at the rear, but the well configured wheelbase and suspension geometry make it a very comfortable family car. The handling is quite refreshing as well and throwing it around the bends is quite a bit of fun. For heavy duty travelers and city slickers alike, the DZire also offers the 1.3-litre DDiS option, which goes to increase the versatility and usability of the car even further. Contrast it with its other entry-level rivals, and it is not difficult to see how this modern car adapted to a particular need works wonders, and leads its pack by a massive margin.

Quick Facts:

PETROL
Engine: 1,197cc; inline four
Power: 85PS @ 6,000rpm
Torque: 113Nm @ 4,500rpm

DIESEL
Engine: 1,258cc; inline four
Power: 75PS@ 4,000rpm
Torque: 190Nm @ 2,000rpm
Transmission: 5-speed manual

DIMENSIONS
Wheelbase: 2,390mm
LxWxH: 4,160x1,690x1,530mm
Weight: 1,090kg

Variants:
PETROL
LXi: Rs. 4.96 lakh
VXi: Rs. 5.46 lakh
ZXi: Rs. 6.41 lakh

DIESEL
LDi: Rs. 5.82 lakh
VDi: Rs. 6.31 lakh
ZDi: Rs. 7.15 lakh

Cheers:
1. A modern, refined car which maximizes the benefits of a sedan and a hatchback.
2. A great balance of performance, practicality, reliability and after-sales support.

Sneers:
1. Not the most appealing design, it still looks and feels too much like a Swift. The rivals, despite their dated looks, come across as proper sedans.

Honourable Mentions:

Hyundai Accent

The Accent has been Hyundai’s workhorse in the sedan space for a very long time, and now reduced to an entry-level model, it is a steal. Powered by a 1.6-litre engine and offering a larger car with more space all-round, the Accent is a smart buy in its segment despite its age.

Mahindra Logan

The Logan has not been able to achieve its potential in the market despite having all the goods to make it a good value for money entry-level sedan. With Renault having stepped out of the picture and Mahindra handling the product by itself, we expect its image and sales to improve.


Other Rivals:

Ford Ikon

Ford’s Ikon has been around for long enough to make a name for itself. With good petrol and diesel engine options, it is a strong contender in this segment. A dated design and a lack of space on the inside work as its disadvantage.

Tata indigo CS

It could be said that the Indigo CS was one of the first proofs of the new strategy and product development that Tata Motors would undertake in the future. The cut short Indigo still offers plenty of space, at a killer price point.