Changan Alsvin vs Suzuki Dzire

A proper head-to-head in South Africa — compare price, performance, fuel economy or electric range, safety and the details that shape long-term ownership.

Changan Alsvin in South Africa

Changan Alsvin

1.5 AT CE Petrol 5-Speed DCT Current
ZAR 289,900 ex-showroom
⚡ 78 kW 🔧 145 Nm ⛽ 14.49 km/l
VS
Suzuki Dzire in South Africa

Suzuki Dzire

1.2 GL+ CVT Petrol CVT Current
ZAR 272,900 ex-showroom
⚡ 60 kW 🔧 113 Nm ⛽ 18.2 km/l
+ Add a 3rd car

Decision summary

Changan Alsvin vs Suzuki Dzire: the short answer

Dzire has a modest catalogue-index lead, while Alsvin remains close.

Dzire starts ZAR 20,000 cheaper Alsvin from ZAR 249,900 · Dzire from ZAR 229,900

Five key differences

Exact selected derivatives
Specification Alsvin Dzire
Maximum Power Alsvin78 kW Dzire60 kW
Maximum Torque Alsvin145 Nm Dzire113 Nm
Engine Size Alsvin1500 cc Dzire1197 cc
Combined Fuel Economy Alsvin14.49 km/l Dzire18.2 km/l
Ground Clearance Alsvin150 mm Dzire0 mm

Strongest published figure in that row; no road-test winner is implied.

Independent editorial assessment

Hagalu editorial ratings

When a variant is selected, its rating out of five applies only to that exact derivative; a model-range review is not inherited. Editorial ratings are separate from the Specification Evidence Index out of 100 and are not customer ratings.

Changan Alsvin

1.5 AT CE

Hagalu editorial rating
3.9/5

Desk research · Exact variant

Editorial assessment, not a customer rating. Not road-tested for this review.

Read the review and score breakdown

Suzuki Dzire

1.2 GL+ CVT

Hagalu editorial rating Not yet rated

No complete editorial rating is published for this exact variant. This is not a zero score.

How Hagalu rates cars

Not yet rated means a complete review is not published; it does not mean the vehicle scored zero. Read the rating methodology.

What Each Car Gets Right (and Wrong)

Alsvin

Strengths
  • More powerful engine output
  • Stronger published practicality figures
Weak Spots
  • Lower fuel efficiency
  • Fewer listed safety features
Best suited to: Published Performance Published Practicality
Specification evidence leader

Dzire

Strengths
  • Better fuel efficiency
  • Stronger listed safety equipment
Weak Spots
  • Less powerful engine setup
  • Lower published practicality figures
Best suited to: Published Efficiency

Which One's Right for You?

Alsvin

  • Buyers prioritising the stronger published powertrain figures
  • Buyers prioritising the stronger published space and capacity figures

Dzire

  • Buyers prioritising the lower published fuel or energy use
  • Buyers prioritising the more complete listed safety equipment

Full Specs, Side by Side

Spec Alsvin Dzire
Model Introduced Year 2025 2026
Generation Current South African Alsvin generation launched with two locally named derivatives in 2025. Current market generation
Facelift History No South African facelift has been announced since the current range entered local retail sale. Current market specification
Facelift Launched Since Not Applicable 2026
Facelift Version Ending Not Applicable Current
Body Style Sedan Sedan
Model Year 2026 2026
Production Status active active
Segment Compact sedan Sedan
Vehicle Type Passenger car Sedan
Spec Alsvin Dzire
Length 4390 mm 3995 mm
Width 1725 mm 1735 mm
Height 1490 mm 1525 mm
Wheelbase 2535 mm 2450 mm
Ground Clearance (Default) 150 mm 0 mm
Ground Clearance (With Full Seating Load) Not Officially Disclosed 150 mm
Fuel Tank Capacity 45 l 37 l
Boot/Cargo Space 390 l 378 l
Kerb Weight 1069 kg 960 kg
Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW) 1470 kg 1450 kg
Payload Capacity Not Officially Disclosed 490 kg
Towing Capacity 705 kg 500 kg
Seating Capacity 5 seats 5 seats
Number of Rows 2 rows 2 rows
Doors 4 doors 5 doors
Minimum Turning Radius 5.5 m 5.2 m
Front Headroom Not Officially Disclosed 1000 mm
Rear Headroom Not Officially Disclosed 950 mm
Front Legroom Not Officially Disclosed 1050 mm
Rear Legroom Not Officially Disclosed 900 mm

In depth: how these cars differ

This Alsvin and Dzire comparison uses the exact derivatives selected above for South Africa. The catalogue index covers performance, efficiency, safety equipment, practicality and ownership cover only where comparable source-backed fields are present.

Performance index: Alsvin 35 vs Dzire 23.

Efficiency index: Alsvin 56 vs Dzire 69.

Safety-equipment index: Alsvin 32 vs Dzire 87.

Practicality index: Alsvin 54 vs Dzire 48.

Ownership-cover index: Alsvin not separately scored vs Dzire not separately scored.

These figures are Hagalu catalogue-comparison indicators, not customer ratings, crash-test scores, resale guarantees or a substitute for a road test. Each page shows its weighted source coverage beside the result.

Specification Evidence Index

A transparent comparison of published catalogue fields. This is not a road-test score, owner rating or editorial review rating, and it appears only when every vehicle clears the same comparable-data threshold.

Evidence / 100
Evidence-index readout

Dzire leads by 12 points

Dzire has a modest catalogue-index lead, while Alsvin remains close.

Evidence leader 55 /100
Lead 12 points
Data 74% source coverage
55
#1 Evidence leader

Dzire

74% source coverage 1 strong categories
Best at Safety 87 Check Performance 23
Performance 23
Efficiency 69
Safety 87
Practicality 48
Leads by 12 points
43
#2

Alsvin

66% source coverage 0 strong categories
Best at Efficiency 56 Check Safety 32
Performance 35
Efficiency 56
Safety 32
Practicality 54
Performance 24% Safety 22% Practicality 22% Efficiency 17% Ownership 15%
Category leaders What moves the verdict
Performance Alsvin +12 Efficiency Dzire +13 Safety Dzire +55 Practicality Alsvin +6

Moderate difference in the source-backed catalogue index.

Why this score View full breakdown
Evidence-index leader

Dzire

Performance 23/100
Efficiency 69/100
Safety 87/100
Practicality 48/100

Alsvin

Performance 35/100
Efficiency 56/100
Safety 32/100
Practicality 54/100

What the evidence means

Evidence index Suzuki Dzire leads the specification evidence index with 55 pts vs 43 pts for Alsvin

In Hagalu's specification evidence index, Dzire leads. However, Alsvin may suit buyers prioritising different confirmed fields. Ultimately, the right choice depends on your driving priorities in South Africa.

Alsvin vs Dzire questions

There is no universal winner. Use the comparison table to match the models and available derivatives in South Africa on price, safety equipment, space, powertrain and ownership cover. The category indicators summarise published catalogue data; they are not a road test or customer rating.

Compare the published consumption or mileage rows for the exact derivatives using the same unit and test basis. A catalogue figure is useful for like-for-like comparison, but traffic, speed, load, weather and driving style can change actual fuel use.

Compare only equipment explicitly listed for each derivative, including airbags, stability control and driver-assistance systems. Confirm the exact trim with the manufacturer, and treat any independent crash-test result separately because equipment and ratings can differ by market.

A reliable five-year total cannot be calculated from catalogue data alone. Add the exact purchase and finance cost, fuel or electricity, insurance quotes, scheduled servicing, tyres and expected resale value. Check whether the selected derivative includes a service or maintenance plan.

Use the seating, boot or load-space, ISOFIX and safety rows as a first check. Then test the exact cars with your child seats, passengers and typical luggage, because published dimensions do not show every access or comfort difference.

Compare the published power, torque and 0–100 km/h rows when they are available for both exact derivatives. Vehicle weight, gearing and power delivery also matter, so catalogue outputs alone do not establish real-world overtaking or response.