The fourth-generation Maruti Dzire is off to a great start, outselling all its competitor compact sedans (combined) by a healthy margin. After the Swift, the new Dzire is the second Maruti that’s powered by the all-new 1,197cc, three-cylinder Z-series petrol engine, which develops 82hp and 112Nm of torque. This unit is available with either a 5-speed manual or an automated manual transmission (AMT). We put both versions to the test to find out their real-world fuel efficiency.
- The ARAI-rated efficiency is 25.71kpl
- No drive modes, but it gets auto engine stop-start
- The top-spec version weighs 960kg
Maruti Dzire AMT mileage in summer
Average tested economy is 15.41kpl
Maruti’s claimed ARAI-rated fuel efficiency is a staggering 25.71kpl for the AMT and a slightly lower 24.79kpl for the manual iteration. However, in our tests, the petrol-AMT delivered an overall average efficiency of 15.41kpl, which is far from its claimed figure. In the city, its fuel efficiency was 11.61kpl, while on the highway, it delivered an impressive 19.22kpl.
The Dzire’s 1.2-litre unit’s clear focus on drivability makes city driving effortless. There are no drive modes to speak of, but it gets an automatic engine stop-start feature to keep a check on fuel consumption. Notably, during our city test, ambient temperatures nudged 45 degrees; hence, the stop-start feature didn’t kick in for the most part. Also, the air-con ran at full blast throughout to maintain a cabin temperature of 22 degrees, which hampered its efficiency. Ambient temperatures were much cooler during our highway run, translating into much taller fuel efficiency.
Maruti Dzire MT mileage in cooler temperatures
Average tested economy is 17.25kpl
We also put the petrol-manual version to the test; however, on account of relatively cooler ambient temperatures ranging between 25 and 29 degrees centigrade, and the automatic stop-start feature working optimally, its city and highway efficiency figures were 14.5kpl and 20kpl, respectively.
Autocar India’s fuel efficiency testing
Before our real-world fuel efficiency tests, we fill our test cars’ tanks to the brim and maintain tyre pressures based on the manufacturer’s recommendation. These cars are driven in fixed city and highway loops in and around Navi Mumbai, and we maintain certain average speeds. Throughout the tests, there is only one person in each car running the aircon and other electricals, such as the audio system, indicators and wipers, when required, just like a regular user would. Periodic driver swaps further neutralise variations in driver patterns. At the end of each cycle, we calculate efficiency by filling the tanks to full again.
