5 things to like about The Suzuki Brezza
Head-on Appearance
With a growing trend in the Compact SUV market, brands are racing to find a good balance between the crossover of the toughness and size of an SUV while still ensuring compact finishes and smaller parts.
Approaching the Suzuki Brezza from the front, the strikingly thick chrome bar connecting the headlights rounds off the front well. Although the chrome bar serves very little purpose, the visual toughness it represents gives this compact SUV a bull-bar it deserves.
The chrome bracket fitted around the headlight unit (tied in with the chrome bar) encapsulates the upturned LED horns and finishes off the front-end of The Brezza with an bold look and feel.
Overall, the robust look and build of the cosmetic changes to the front have certainly refreshed the Brezza, giving this new model a sense of sturdiness and strength.
Good Clearance
Seated in the Brezza, you would be forgiven for thinking you were inside something bigger than what you would consider a ‘compact SUV’.
With a hand at the steering wheel, there were many occasions where the view over a vehicle in front was clear, giving ample time to anticipate a change in the road ahead or just feel bigger than the cars around.
With a ground clearance of 198mm, the Brezza is perfect for potholed and flooded South African roads and travels well over slightly rugged terrain.
However, with the notion in mind of good clearance, overdoing it could cause some damage as there is no all-wheel drive features on the Brezza. The power goes to the front wheels.
Comfortable, smooth and quiet
All Suzuki Brezza models are fitted with a single powered 1.5 litre naturally aspirated engine, with a mere 77 kW and 138Nm. The automatic engine too had as scratching our heads. But with this said, the small engine is very quiet and a standout feature of the Brezza. Seated in the cockpit, idling or with high revs, it should be noted just how quiet the Brezza is.
Handling of the vehicle is lightweight through the steering wheel, but you do lose out in feel and handling on corners.
Overall, the reliability and ease of use of the Brezza should not go unnoticed. The drive is smooth running and refined.
Simplicity of buttons and updated tech
The first thing that is noticed when climbing into the driver's seat is the simplicity of the layout and accessibility of all vehicle functions. Whether it be to adjust the air conditioner or reposition the electric powered windows, Suzuki have well thought out spacing dynamics and positions of the uncomplicated buttons. There is no over-bombardment of buttons and tech, but rather a system that just fits in.
The voice control system does work fairly well, but there were some problems getting her to understand an order on occasion. The sensitivity of the touchscreen can be a bit frustrating at times, but overall a good addition to the Brezza.
Vehicle offerings vs price
Cars considered ‘well priced’ tend to lack some features along the line and omit pricier features off the spec-sheet. However, the Brezza does not follow suit.
The 7-inch touchscreen infotainment unit, rear-park camera, auto climate control, keyless entry, data reporting, Bluetooth and detailed design on the seats are just some features found in the Suzuki Brezza.
With the Brezza starting from just R244 900, Suzuki South Africa has given this compact SUV some serious thought. If you’re in the market for an SUV crossover on a budget, it is difficult to look past the Suzuki Brezza.
Also worth a look: the Suzuki Swift and the Suzuki Starts 2025 with Record-Breaking Sales in South Afric.
FAQ
Q: What does the Suzuki Brezza cost in South Africa?
The Suzuki Brezza starts from around R389,900 for the base GL model, while the top-spec GLX automatic will set you back approximately R449,900, making it a solid middle-ground option in the compact SUV space.
Q: Is the Suzuki Brezza worth buying?
The Brezza is absolutely worth considering if you want a reliable compact SUV that handles our potholed roads brilliantly, offers decent space, and won't break the bank on fuel or servicing costs.
Q: What engine does the Suzuki Brezza have?
All Brezza models come with a 1.5-litre naturally aspirated petrol engine producing 77kW and 138Nm of torque, paired with either a 5-speed manual or 4-speed automatic transmission.
Q: How fuel efficient is the Suzuki Brezza?
The Brezza delivers impressive fuel consumption figures of around 5.7 litres per 100km for the manual and 6.2 litres per 100km for the automatic, making it one of the more economical choices in its class.
Q: Does the Suzuki Brezza have all-wheel drive?
No, the Brezza is front-wheel drive only, so while it handles our roads brilliantly with its 198mm ground clearance, you shouldn't attempt any serious off-road adventures.
Should You Buy It?
Yes, the Suzuki Brezza is absolutely worth buying if you're after the best compact SUV under R450,000 in South Africa. At R389,900 for the entry-level model, it delivers exactly what South African drivers need: proper ground clearance for our shocking roads, decent space inside, reliable Suzuki build quality, and fuel consumption that won't make you cry at the petrol station. The Brezza isn't trying to be the flashiest or most powerful compact SUV, but it nails the basics so well that it becomes the obvious choice for anyone who wants a sensible, dependable daily driver that can handle everything from Johannesburg's crater-sized potholes to weekend getaways to the coast.
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