2017 Maruti Suzuki Dzire ZDI+ AGS long term review: After 8,544km and 5 months
The new Maruti DZire has compelled me to change my opinion about sub 4-metre sedans. Compact sedans are perceived as a compromise by most, design wise at least, but the DZire's exterior design is far from being one of those now. In fact, it looks extremely appealing and cheery, particularly in the deep blue shade our test car wears. It is now a month since I started driving the new DZire, but walking up to it every morning cheers me up.
Almost every day, I also stop for a moment after parking it to admire the car's looks, particularly the 'completeness' of its curvy design, unlike several other compact sedans. The front end of course is the piece-de-resistance. I'm not a fan of its large, chromed grille but the curvy hood, sharp headlamps with projector beams, LED daytime running lamps and slightly flared wheel arches all make for a rather attractive design, not to mention the curvy silhouette.
The cheery feel is carried over inside as well. The black dashboard and steering wheel with brown coloured matte wood inserts make for a nice contrast with the beige seats. The flip side to having beige seats though is that they have started looking dirty already, given our kind of driving conditions. The flat-bottomed steering wheel deserves a mention too â€" it may be a small change for many but adds immensely in terms of visual appeal and sportiness. Then there's the touchscreen infotainment system (with Apple CarPlay connectivity for my iPhone!) that isn't extraordinary, but again, looks very appealing with its piano black edges.
On the whole, the DZire has made me realise how much of a difference cars can make to a person's mood, with just their design. Which also explains how challenging a job designing cars is. Inanimate they may be, but cars can be emotive too! As for the new DZire, I'm discovering new ways to like it every now and then, and that's apart from its cheery design. More on that in the next update.
Date acquired: June 2017
Total Mileage: 8,544km
Last report at: 3,378km
Fuel: 300.34 litres
Economy: 17.2