Hatchbacks come in different forms and sizes, and at one time Mazda had two almost similar but different hatchbacks named Mazda Demio and Mazda Verisa. In this article we will take a look at these two models by comparing their practicality, interior, exterior, and engine. Please follow through to get some insights on these two great Japanese cars from Mazda.
Mazda Demio vs Mazda Verisa Side-By-Side Comparison
(*Prices are reflective of average BE FORWARD pricing as of May 2021)
Mazda Demio Mazda Verisa
Generations 4 (DW, DY, DE, DJ) 1 (DC5W)
Production Year 1996 – 2019 2004 – 2015
Performance 84 HP – 108 HP 111 HP
Fuel Consumption 11.90 KM/L – 38.2 KM/L 18.2 KM/L
Drivetrain FWD and 4WD FWD and 4WD
Key Features CD Player, Power Steering, Airbag, Power Window,
Radio, A/C, ABS, DVD, Back Camera,
Keyless EntryRadio, CD Player, Airbag, Power Steering, Power Window,
A/C, ABS, Keyless Entry, Back Camera, Alloy Wheels
Seating Capacity 5 Passengers 5 Passengers
BE FORWARD price US$ 580 – US$ 15,490 US$ 720 – US$ 8340
Exterior/Interior Comparison
Mazda Demio
BROWSE LOW COST MAZDA DEMIO MODELS
Interior
The Demio is spacious for a car its size, with the front passengers accorded with enough head and legroom. The rear seats are comfortable as well and can accommodate three passengers, but two will be much comfortable as the transmission tunnel limits legroom for the center seat occupant.
The Demio has a basic climate control system that is controlled by three standard knobs arranged in parallel. The three-spoke steering wheel is nice and neat, it comes with audio controls well placed. The binnacle has one large analog tachometer and two small digital displays. Other features include a cigarette lighter socket, and a conventional handbrake.
Storage-wise you get a glove box, two cup holders between the front seats, door pockets, back seat jacket pockets, and a sizeable boot.
BROWSE LOW COST MAZDA DEMIO MODELS
Exterior
At the front, the Demio like most recent Mazda’s features a wide low-latticed grille with faux vents on each side. The grille is flanked by slim teardrop headlights which are a bit further. This combination of the grille and headlights makes the front end of the Demio alluring. At the back, the Demio is very neat with the rear light clusters that sweep up to the top haunches of the rear quarter guards.
Safety
Safety features found on the latest Demio include Airbags, pedestrian detection, Traffic sign recognition, Advanced Smart City Brake Support, TCS, DSC, Lane Keep Assist, and a 360 view monitor with parking sensors as an option on higher trims. You also get two ISOFIX child seat latching points.
Mazda Verisa
BROWSE LOW COST MAZDA VERISA MODELS
Interior
The Verisa is a small car with a cabin that feels open and spacious. The Verisa is a 5-door 5-seat car that falls between a hatchback and a mini MPV. The seats of the Verisa are comfortable and surprisingly offer enough leg, head, and shoulder room for both rear and front passengers for a car of its size. Its standard three-spoke steering wheel with audio controls offers fine grip, the binnacle features two large analog meters, gear select lights, and other car informative lights. At the center of the dash, you find a standard CD player with four speakers, followed by three standard climate control knobs.
The Verisa’s cabin is tranquil, thanks to advanced technical analysis that enabled the Verisa to achieve the quietness that is very rare, even when the vehicle is at highway speeds.
The Verisa offers storage for your stuff; you have a glove box, door pockets, a center tray between the front seats, and two front cup holders. At the rear, the Verisa has a sizeable boot with a lower compartment, and this boot can be maximized by folding flat the rear seats.
BROWSE LOW COST MAZDA VERISA MODELS
Exterior
The Verisa is a nice car and eye-catching despite its boxier design. This small car offers good ground clearance; bulgy fenders that make the body look wide, and boast a stylish exterior design. The face of the Verisa is a bit different with the absence of a front grille. At the bottom, the bumper has a large air intake with fog lights on either end. The large Xenon headlamps are very clear with unique reflectors that lend expressiveness on the front end.
The Verisa comes fitted with steel rims with wheel caps as standard, and alloy rims as an option.
Safety
Active safety features found on the three-point seatbelts, ABS, ISOFIX anchor points, front and side curtain airbags, ESC, and TCS.
Engine and Fuel Efficiency Comparison
Mazda Demio
The Demio has been in production since 1996, and it is now in its fourth generation. From its inception to now, the Demio has utilized several engines. Below we will take a look at a few of those engines
- The 1st generation Demio was fitted with either the 4-cylinder 1.3-liter B3-ME petrol or the 4-cylinder 1.5-liter B5-ME petrol engine. These engines produced 84HP and 99HP with average fuel consumption of 17.54 KM/L and 12 KM/L respectively. Power is transferred to the wheels via a 4-speed automatic or 5-speed manual transmission.
- The 2nd generation Demio was fitted with either the 4-cylinder 1.3-liter ZJ-VE petrol or the 4-cylinder 1.5-liter ZY-VE engine. These engines produce 90HP and 111HP with average fuel consumption of 18.87 KM/L and 14.08 KM/L respectively. Power is transferred to the wheels via a 4-speed automatic or 5-speed manual transmission.
The 4th generation Demio received 3 new engines as listed below.
- The 108HP 4-cylinder 1.5-liter SkyActiv-G (F-P5) petrol engine with average fuel consumption of 18.18 KM/L.
- The 104HP 4-cylinder 1.5-liter SkyActiv-D (S5-DPTS) diesel with average fuel consumption of 26.44 KM/L.
- The 90HP 4-cylinder 1.5-liter SkyActiv-Hybrid (F-P5+) engines with average fuel consumption of 18.87 KM/L
These engines are mated with a 5-speed SkyActiv-MT, a manual 6-speed SkyActiv-MT, or an automatic 6-speed SkyActiv-Drive transmission.
BROWSE LOW COST MAZDA DEMIO MODELS
Mazda Verisa
The Mazda Verisa’s production was so brief that there was only one generation and one engine that were associated with the car.
The Verisa is powered by a four-cylinder, 111 HP 1.5-liter MZR1.5/ZY-VE petrol engine. This engine is mated with a 4-speed automatic transmission, with electronic 4WD (e-4WD) available as an option.
The average fuel consumption of a Mazda Verisa is around 18.2 KM/L, depending on the model generation and year.
BROWSE LOW COST MAZDA VERISA MODELS
The Verdict
Mazda has a habit of making great cars that are under-appreciated or go unnoticed. The Demio and the Verisa are one of those car models that are great in almost every aspect of car details, but some of us do not know or choose to ignore them. After reading this article, we hope you will have a different perspective regarding these two Mazda models.
The Demio has been around for quite a while now, and its reputation speaks for itself, while the Verisa has been around for a short while, and it is surely missed, but luckily you can still buy yourself a used one and you will never regret that. Please visit BE FORWARD and choose one of these and have fun.
Written by: Samuel H. Mponezya
