Summarize

Every now and then this happens – we end up testing two rival cars built by completely different carmakers that end up so closely matched on paper – and everywhere else – that it becomes nigh impossible to split them.

These two are the latest to do their best to calibrate our test kit – the latest Honda Amaze & Suzuki Dzir are so similar in so many ways, that it becomes almost impossible to find a winner when shooting them out.

They also find themselves in an interesting market niche vacated by a long time entry four-door sedan favourite, it makes this a truly key motor industry battleground, so we gathered the two together to try figure out exactly how each desires to amaze…

Put to the test, our VBox reported that the 66kW 110Nm 1199cc iVTEC powered Amaze ran from rest to 100km/h in 10.83 seconds, did the 400m (basically the quarter-mile) in 17.3 seconds at 126km/h and pulled from 80 to 120km/h in 8.54 sec, while Honda says it will do 160km/h, even though it pushed our test kit a fair bit beyond that 

Suzuki’s similar K12M four-cylinder petrol is slightly less powerful at 61kW but torquier at 113Nm, conspiring to return a 10.92 second 0-100km/h burst over precisely the same piece of tarmac, going on to pass the 400m mark in 17.4 seconds at 126 km/h, while pulling from 80 to 120km/h in 8.51 seconds. And Suzuki promises a 175km/h top end. 

Us humans cannot really register the differences in performance times between these two cars! There is however a difference in economy, as Honda claims and 5.6 litres per 100km at 133g/km CO2, while Suzuki says Dzir will sip 4.9 l/100km at 116 g/km.

Both of these fine downsized engines are mated to five-speed manual gearboxes driving the front wheels, while the Honda also comes with a CVT auto option and the Suzuki can be had with a 5-speed automated manual transmission, should you, your daughter or your mum be so inclined.

Looking a little further, those two also both sport McPherson strut front and torsion beam rear suspension and electric power steering. Run your finger further down the spec sheets and you will find that both have ABS anti-lock braking with EBD, dual front airbags, inertia reel seat belts and Isofix anchors; an alarm and immobiliser.

Their cabins are comfy and quite spacious for their size too and each offers a fair range of comfortable seat adjustment along with tilt-adjustable power multifunction steering wheels that also control infotainment with four-speaker FM/AM radio and MP3, USB, AUX and Bluetooth connectivity. 

Both cars will quite comfortably accommodate four adults without much compromise and they also boast cavernous boots – all the more impressive considering each car’s relatively slight overall proportions. Their cavernous boots will gobble up a surprising amount of baggage and then some too. 

I found both cars equally pleasing to drive – buzzy, with lovely manual gear-changes; spacious, smart cabins to defy both their affordable price and propelled by great little 1.2 -litre engines. Knowing both are 1200s, I was surprised by the consummate ease both cruised the open roads – you’d swear that they were at least 1600cc – each punches several classes above its weight, truth be told.

The Honda and the Suzuki also match up pretty well when it comes to service and back-up with each offering a pretty compelling five-year/200 000km warranty and two-year/30 000km service plan.

Getting on to looks, I’m not so sure, but that’s a moot point. You may love or hate either. Personally, I find both these cars a little cosmetically challenging, but that’s just me. They are better inside though – once again pretty well packed considering their rather budget aspirations

So, both Honda and Suzuki have delivered impressive little cars here – they clearly both desire to amaze as they chase a market segment that recently lost its mojo with the exit of the VW Polo sedan. The trick however will be to choose one from these two – seldom have we seen two rivals that run each other so close. 

Makes me wonder how two different companies can build two quite different cars to do almost the exact same job. So much so that we have scored them equal. Nope, I’m not going to give you an easy way out – this one you need to figure out for yourself... 

QUICK SHOOTOUT: Honda Amaze 1.2 Trend Suzuki DZire 1.2 GL

Engine:          1198cc petrol I4                   1197cc petrol I4

Output:                  66kW 110Nm                        61kW 113Nm

Drive: 5-speed manual FWD          5-speed manual FWD

TESTED: 

0-100km/h: 10.83 sec                               10.92 sec   

400m: 17.3 sec @ 126km/h            17.4 sec @ 126km/h

80-120km/h:          8.54 sec                                 8.51 sec

CLAIMED:       

VMax: 160km/h                                175km/h

Fuel: 5.6l/100km                            4.9 l/100km

CO2: 133g/km                                116 g/km

Warranty/Service 5y 200K/2y 30Kkm               5y 200k/2y 30Kkm

LIST PRICE: R179K                                     R178K

RATED:          77%                                         77%