Comparison: Kia Pegas vs Suzuki Dzire

Like in most markets globally, there’s no dearth of buyers choosing crossovers or SUVs in the Middle East. Even if many of these folks primarily use them to drive around within city limits, they tend to ignore more affordable options. This is where entry-level cars make their presence felt, prioritizing fuel economy and ease of ownership.

Two car brands that have been producing several affordable yet practical everyday four-wheelers are Kia and Suzuki. The cars we are comparing today are compact sedans, targeted at buyers wanting a hassle-free and reliable transportation solution. While the Kia Pegas shares its underpinnings with the Rio hatchback, the Dzire shares its platform with the Suzuki Baleno.

Price Comparison

• There are only two variants of the Kia Pegas on sale in Saudi Arabia. The base GL variant starts at SAR 53,359, while the GLS variant is priced at SAR 54,509. The Pegas is undeniably one of the most affordable small sedans in the region. This makes it seem like a fantastic catch for budget-conscious new car buyers.
• So, how does the new Suzuki Dzire compare? The Dzire is slightly more expensive than its Korean counterpart. The starting price of the Suzuki Dzire GL Plus in Saudi Arabia is SAR 54,050, almost as much as the top variant of the Pegas. Meanwhile, the top Suzuki Dzire GLX variant costs SAR 55,775.

Regardless, it’s clear that these two are closely matched when it comes to their showroom sticker price. The official distributor of new Kia cars in KSA is the National Marketing Company (NMC). Those interested in the new Dzire, can buy one from a Najeeb Auto dealership, Suzuki’s official distributor in KSA.

Dimensions Comparison

While these sedans represent the same segment, there are some obvious differences in their exterior dimensions. Have a look at this table to form a better idea about these cars’ actual physical footprint.

Dimensions	Kia Pegas	Suzuki Dzire
Length	4,300 mm	3,995 mm
Width	1,700 mm	1,735 mm
Height	1,460 mm	1,525 mm
Wheelbase	2,570 mm	2,450 mm
Weight	1,065 kg	965 kg
Fuel capacity	43 liters	37 liters
Boot capacity	475 liters	378 liters
Wheel size	14 inches	15 inches

 There’s a clear size difference between the Pegas and Dzire, albeit with one similarity. Despite being shorter than the Kia, the Suzuki is just as wide (if not considerably wider) than the Kia. Parked next to each other, it becomes clear that the Dzire is taller and boasts larger wheels than the Pegas.

The higher roof of the Dzire pays dividends once you enter the cabin, offering rear occupants more headroom. However, its shorter wheelbase doesn’t free up as much legroom as in the Kia. Being over 300 mm longer, the Pegas offers a larger boot and fuel tank. Then again, it’s heavier than the Dzire by a hundred kilograms.

Both cars feature large enough windows, providing excellent all-around visibility. The new Dzire has a large front grille, modern LED headlights, and Y-shaped LED elements in the taillights. Its two-tone alloy wheels are better designed than the basic-looking ones found on the Pegas. The generic styling of the Kia sedan makes it appear bland in comparison.

Drivetrain and Performance Comparison

The new Suzuki Dzire comes with a petrol engine as its sole source of propulsion. Similarly, the Kia Pegas also doesn’t inundate buyers with loads of engine options, as there’s just the one petrol four-pot. Unlike the Dzire, which gets just one gearbox, Pegas buyers get to pick between two.

Specs	Kia Pegas	Suzuki Dzire
Engine	1.4-liter naturally-aspirated four-cylinder petrol	1.2-liter naturally-aspirated three-cylinder petrol
Gearbox	5-speed manual/4-speed AT	CVT
Drive System	FWD	FWD
Power	94 hp	80 hp
Torque	132 Nm	111.7 Nm
Mileage	16.3 kmpl (6.1 L/100 km)	18 kmpl (5.5 L/100 km)
Top Speed	170 kmph	160 kmph
0-100 kmph	12.5 sec (appx.)	13 sec (appx.)

Neither of these cars is going to scorch tarmacs or set your soul ablaze with fiery performance. However, the four-banger of the Kia Pegas makes more power than the smaller three-pot of the Suzuki Dzire. It might be slower than the Pegas, but the Dzire offers better fuel efficiency, and its CVT gearbox is more refined.

Apart from that, the steering of the Dzire is lighter than that of the Pegas. This makes driving the new Dzire even easier in the city, exactly what it was designed to do. Its suspension absorbs bad roads in its stride while remaining composed when taking turns. It’s no corner carver, but neither is the Pegas.

The antiquated automatic transmission of the Pegas is sluggish but dependable. On the other hand, the Dzire’s CVT feels relaxed and smooth under normal loads. Push the Dzire too hard, and both the three-cylinder and the gearbox become strained and make themselves felt aurally. The four-cylinder engine of the Pegas, however, feels less strained more often than not.

Features Comparison

The Kia Pegas might have a slightly stronger engine, but its feature list is noticeably weaker than the Suzuki Dzire’s. Gone are the days when budget sedans got away with a meager equipment list. Today, customers ask for far more than just a usable boot and an economical powertrain. How do the top variants of these two cars compare?

Exterior Features	Kia Pegas GLS	Suzuki Dzire GLX
LED headlights	No	Yes (projector)
LED DRLs	No	Yes
Front foglights	Yes	Yes
Rear foglights	No	Yes
Powered ORVMs	Yes	Yes (auto-folding)
Keyless entry	Yes	Yes
Remote boot release	No	Yes
Combination LED taillights	No	Yes
Rear spoiler	No	Yes

Being the older car here, the interior of the Kia Pegas looks and feels its age. The cabin remains a fairly practical one, while offering more space for those in the back than the Dzire. However, it’s the new Dzire’s interior that looks more modern and offers more tech for the money.

Interior Technologies	Kia Pegas GLS	Suzuki Dzire GLX
Push-button start	No	Yes
Multi-information display	Yes	Yes
Touchscreen infotainment	Yes (7-inch)	Yes (9-inch)
Apple CarPlay & Android Auto	Yes	Yes (wireless)
Sound system	Yes (2-speaker audio)	Yes (6-speaker audio)
Rear window defogger	No	Yes

The features list of the new Suzuki Dzire continues to impress when it comes to its interior conveniences. Meanwhile, the equipment found on the Kia Pegas lags behind its Suzuki rival quite noticeably. Considering its relative age, the absence of up-to-date comforts in the Pegas would not surprise many.

Comfort Offerings	Kia Pegas GLS	Suzuki Dzire GLX
Cruise control	Yes	Yes
Leather-wrapped steering wheel	Yes	Yes
Multifunction steering wheel	Yes	Yes
Steering tilt adjustment	Yes	Yes
Driver’s seat-height adjustment	No	Yes
Rear armrest	No	Yes (w/ cupholder)
Power windows	Yes	Yes
Air-conditioning	Yes (manual)	Yes (automatic w/ rear vents)
USB ports	Yes	Yes

When it comes to their safety features, the new Suzuki Dzire once again edges ahead of the Kia Pegas. This undeniably makes the Dzire appear as a more attractive prospect for a family of four. One could make do with the Pegas if it won’t be used as a family vehicle.

Safety Systems	Kia Pegas GLS	Suzuki Dzire GLX
Front pedestrian detection	No	Yes
Tire-pressure monitoring	Yes	Yes
Rearview camera	Yes	Yes
Parking sensors	Yes (rear)	Yes (rear)
Airbags	Yes (4)	Yes (6)
ABS + EBD	Yes	Yes
Stability control	Yes	Yes
Hill-start assist	Yes	Yes
ISOFIX anchors	Yes	Yes

Conclusion

The new Suzuki Dzire is irrefutably a better small family sedan here. It not only offers more features and a modern exterior design, but its beige-trimmed cabin sports textured trim and doesn’t compromise much on space. The Dzire impresses further with its superior fuel economy and smoother transmission.

The Kia Pegas feels like a slightly bigger car when on the road, while its luggage-carrying capacity is noteworthy. Moreover, the plastics in the Kia’s cabin are of a better quality than those in the Suzuki. The rotatable air vents of the Pegas add a touch of zing, while a driver’s armrest is an added convenience.