Suzuki Dzire vs KIA Pegas

A proper head-to-head in South Africa — we cover price, performance, petrol economy, safety and what it'll actually cost you to own each one long term.

Suzuki Dzire in South Africa

Suzuki Dzire

1.2 GL+ CVT Petrol CVT Current
ZAR 272,900 ex-showroom
⚡ 60 kW 🔧 112 Nm ⛽ 21.7 km/l
VS
KIA Pegas in South Africa

KIA Pegas

1.4 EX Auto Petrol 4-Speed Automatic Current
ZAR 274,995 ex-showroom
⚡ 73 kW 🔧 132 Nm ⛽ 16.9 km/l
Add a 3rd car

Decision summary

Suzuki Dzire vs KIA Pegas: the short answer

Dzire and Pegas are close on the comparable published fields, so buyer priorities should decide.

Dzire starts ZAR 10,095 cheaper Dzire from ZAR 229,900 · Pegas from ZAR 239,995

Five key differences

Exact selected derivatives
Specification Dzire Pegas
Maximum Power Dzire60 kW @ 5700 rpm Pegas73 kW @ 6000 rpm
Maximum Torque Dzire112 Nm @ 4300 rpm Pegas132 Nm @ 4200 rpm
Engine Size Dzire1197 cc Pegas1368 cc
Combined Fuel Economy Dzire21.7 km/l Pegas16.9 km/l
Ground Clearance Dzire145 mm Pegas148 mm

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

What Each Car Gets Right (and Wrong)

Specification evidence leader

Dzire

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

Pegas

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

Which One's Right for You?

Dzire

  • Buyers prioritising the lower published fuel or energy use
  • Buyers prioritising the more complete listed safety equipment
  • Buyers prioritising the stronger published space and capacity figures

Pegas

  • Buyers prioritising the stronger published powertrain figures

Full Specs, Side by Side

Spec Dzire Pegas
Model Introduced Year 2020 2019
Generation Second generation Dzire on HEARTECT platform — same structural architecture as the fifth-generation Swift, updated with Z12E DualJet engine for improved fuel efficiency and reduced emissions. First generation; purpose-designed for emerging markets
Facelift History Second-generation Dzire (ZD41S) introduced globally in 2017; engine updated to Z12E DualJet in SA specification for 2024 launch; minor equipment and colour updates in 2026. Minor updates in 2022 including revised infotainment; no full facelift
Facelift Launched Since 2026 2022
Facelift Version Ending Current Current
Body Style Sedan Sedan
Color Note Arctic White Pearl, Grandeur Grey Metallic, Midnight Black Pearl, Burning Red Pearl, Speedy Blue Clear White, Aurora Black Pearl, Silky Silver, Gravity Blue, Passion Red
Dealer Stock Note Flagship grade in the South Africa lineup Flagship grade in the South Africa lineup
Model Year 2026 2026
Production Status published active
Segment Sedan Sedan
Tare Mass Kg 940 kg 1130 kg
Vehicle Type Sedan Sedan
Spec Dzire Pegas
Length 3995 mm 4400 mm
Width 1735 mm 1700 mm
Height 1525 mm 1470 mm
Wheelbase 2450 mm 2570 mm
Ground Clearance (Default) 145 mm 148 mm
Fuel Tank Capacity 37 l 40 l
Boot/Cargo Space 378 l 475 l
Kerb Weight 940 kg 1130 kg
Seating Capacity 5 seats 5 seats
Number of Rows 2 rows 2 rows
Doors 4 doors 4 doors
Minimum Turning Radius - 10.4 m
Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW) - 1450 kg
Front Headroom - 990 mm
Rear Headroom - 950 mm
Front Legroom - 1030 mm
Rear Legroom - 860 mm
Ground Clearance (With Full Seating Load) - 150 mm
Towing Capacity - 1000 kg
Payload Capacity - 425 kg

In depth: how these cars differ

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

Performance index: Dzire 26 vs Pegas 33.

Efficiency index: Dzire 80 vs Pegas 65.

Safety-equipment index: Dzire 88 vs Pegas 72.

Practicality index: Dzire 60 vs Pegas 57.

Ownership-cover index: Dzire 71 vs Pegas 71.

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 5 points

Dzire and Pegas are close on the comparable published fields, so buyer priorities should decide.

Evidence leader 63 /100
Lead 5 points
Data 86% source coverage
63
#1 Evidence leader

Dzire

86% source coverage 3 strong categories
Best at Safety 88 Check Performance 26
Performance 26
Efficiency 80
Safety 88
Practicality 60
Ownership 71
Leads by 5 points
58
#2

Pegas

99% source coverage 2 strong categories
Best at Safety 72 Check Performance 33
Performance 33
Efficiency 65
Safety 72
Practicality 57
Ownership 71
Performance 24% Safety 22% Practicality 22% Efficiency 17% Ownership 15%
Category leaders What moves the verdict
Performance Pegas +7 Efficiency Dzire +15 Safety Dzire +16 Practicality Dzire +3 Ownership Level

Close catalogue match. Buyer priorities should decide the outcome.

Why this score View full breakdown
Evidence-index leader

Dzire

Performance 26/100
Efficiency 80/100
Safety 88/100
Practicality 60/100
Ownership 71/100

Pegas

Performance 33/100
Efficiency 65/100
Safety 72/100
Practicality 57/100
Ownership 71/100

What the evidence means

Evidence index Suzuki Dzire leads the specification evidence index with 63 pts vs 58 pts for Pegas

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

Dzire vs Pegas questions

There is no universal winner. Use the comparison table to match the exact South African derivatives 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.