The image of a muay thai fighter is that of a combatant with an array of deadly moves. The three contenders we’ve gathered here have unique skills, too, which they will employ in an attempt to defeat their opponents in this “ring”.
One of the newest entrants in Singapore’s cheap-and-good-saloon segment is the Suzuki Ciaz RS. It is not big on looks, but it’s bigger than its rivals and sports a standard bodykit that will interest boyracer fathers.
The Mitsubishi Attrage may be the smallest contender in this boxing contest, but it offers a reasonably roomy interior and is equipped with an efficient powertrain to help lower running costs.
Facing off against the Attrage and Ciaz is the Mazda 2 Sedan. Tested here in Premium guise, the 2 Sedan aims to impress with its well-equipped cabin, and promises to “fight” as dynamically as it looks.
Which of these saloons from Thailand will emerge victorious in this three-way match? Keep reading to find out.
It may not punch as hard as its rivals, but the Mitsubishi Attrage will go the distance in a drawn-out fight thanks to its frugality. Without trying to drive gently, we recorded over 15km per litre in mixed conditions, as compared to the 12km/L we saw in the 2 Sedan and Ciaz RS.
The Attrage’s other two attractive aspects are its 10-year engine warranty (as long as the vehicle is serviced at Cycle & Carriage) and list price. At $85,999, it costs $14.8k and $9.9k less than the 2 Sedan and Ciaz RS respectively, making it the most affordable vehicle here.
In terms of fighting ability, the Mazda 2 Sedan is second to none. Its well-tuned suspension gives it superior balance, while its muscular powertrain enables it to hit harder and faster than its opponents can.
The 2 Sedan also offers nifty features not found in its two rivals, such as a manual override for its gearbox, slick infotainment and a fuel-saving stop/start function. Its main drawbacks are its comparatively tight cabin and higher asking price.
The Suzuki Ciaz RS emerges ahead in this three-way “muay thai” match. It doesn’t drive as well as the Mazda or sip fuel like the Attrage, but it makes up for these by having the most capacious cabin, most commodious boot and most refined powertrain, thus delivering the feel of a biggish saloon in a compact, well-priced package.
Mazda 2 Sedan 1.5 (A)
DRIVETRAIN
Type Inline-4, 16-valves
Capacity 1496cc
Bore x stroke 74.5mm x 85.8mm
Compression Ratio 14:1
Max power 115bhp at 6000rpm
Max torque 148Nm at 4000rpm
Power to weight 106.6bhp per tonne
Gearbox 6-speed automatic with manual select
Driven wheels Front
PERFORMANCE
0-100km/h 9.9 seconds
Top speed 187km/h
Consumption 19.2km/L (combined)
CO2 emission 121g/km
SUSPENSION
Front MacPherson struts, coil springs
Rear Torsion beam, coil springs
BRAKES
Front / Rear Ventilated discs / Drums
TYRES
Type Dunlop Enasave EC300+
Size 185/60 R16
SAFETY
Airbags 2
Traction aids ABS, DSC
MEASUREMENTS
Length 4320mm
Width 1695mm
Height 1470mm
Wheelbase 2570mm
Kerb weight 1079kg
Turning circle 9.8m
BUYING IT
Price incl. COE $100,888 (after $5k CEVS rebate)
Warranty 5 years/100,000km
+ Keenest handling, quickest acceleration, most immediate gearbox
– Least spacious interior, poorest practicality, highest sticker price
BEST IN PERFORMANCE
Mitsubishi Attrage 1.2 (A)
DRIVETRAIN
Type Inline-3, 12-valves
Capacity 1193cc
Bore x stroke 75mm x 90mm
Compression ratio 11:1
Max power 78bhp at 6000rpm
Max torque 100Nm at 4000rpm
Power to weight 86.7bhp per tonne
Gearbox CVT
Driven wheels Front
PERFORMANCE
0-100km/h 14 seconds
Top speed 170km/h
Consumption 20.8km/L (combined)
CO2 emission 113g/km
SUSPENSION
Front MacPherson struts, coil springs
Rear Torsion beam, coil springs
BRAKES
Front / Rear Ventilated discs / Drums
TYRES
Type Bridgestone Potenza S001
Size 185/55 R15
SAFETY
Airbags 2
Traction aids ABS
MEASUREMENTS
Length 4245mm
Width 1670mm
Height 1515mm
Wheelbase 2550mm
Kerb weight 900kg
Turning circle 9.6m
BUYING IT
Price incl. COE $85,999 (after $10k CEVS rebate)
Warranty 5 years/unlimited km
+ Cushiest ride, most efficient drive, cheapest pricing by quite a margin
– Lackadaisical performance, least refined engine, slowest transmission
BEST IN EFFICIENCY
Suzuki Ciaz RS 1.4 (A)
DRIVETRAIN
Type Inline-4, 16-valves
Capacity 1373cc
Bore x stroke 73mm x 82mm
Compression ratio 11:1
Max power 91bhp at 6000rpm
Max torque 130Nm at 4000rpm
Power to weight 88.8bhp per tonne
Gearbox 4-speed automatic
Driven wheels Front
PERFORMANCE
0-100km/h 12.4 seconds
Top speed 180km/h
Consumption 18.5km/L (combined)
CO2 emission 128g/km
SUSPENSION
Front MacPherson struts, coil springs
Rear Multi-link, coil springs
BRAKES
Front / Rear Ventilated discs / Drums
TYRES
Type Bridgestone Ecopia EP150
Size 195/55 R16
SAFETY
Airbags 2
Traction aids ABS
MEASUREMENTS
Length 4505mm
Width 1730mm
Height 1475mm
Wheelbase 2650mm
Kerb weight 1025kg
Turning circle 10.8m
BUYING IT
Price incl. COE $95,900 (after $5k CEVS rebate)
Warranty 5 years/100,000km
+ Roomiest interior, quietest engine, excellent audio entertainment
– Outmoded gearbox, relatively inefficient drivetrain, inadequate rear seatbelts
BEST IN SPACIOUSNESS
