Suzuki S-Presso 1.0 S-Edition

In my world preconceptions are dangerous, having missed the official launch which was cancelled because of the current pandemic, what do you expect when you know that the new "cheapest' car available in SA has just arrived on the driveway?
Enter the new baby of the Suzuki SA range, the S-Presso. First impressions on approaching the car are dominated by the very different little block grille, the very short, narrow and high stance and a bright and cheery sight overall.
The Solid Red colour of the test car adds to the bright nature and is repeated throughout the interior as well. The central instrumentation and infotainment screen, the ventilation vents and door panels are all trimmed in matching bright red.
Suzuki have left you in no doubt that this is a funky little city car. I initially thought that it's most suited to city driving conditions only so was very pleasantly surprised by how capable and sure footed it feels on freeways and even through my favourite mountain roads through to Hartebeespoort. Obviously, it's no racing car but certainly handled the drive, bends and hills without missing a beat. Hills may require a downshift or two, but the light and easy 5 speed manual box make this a simple task.
The test car was the top-spec S-Edition which adds wheelarch cladding, front and rear skidplates to the exterior and the infotainment screen with reverse camera and Android Auto to the basic recipe found on the GL or GL+ versions. 180mm ground clearance adds to the effect.
All versions are powered by the familiar engine from the Celerio range. A 1L 3 cylinder giving 50kW and 90Nm. These figures may sound modest, but with a kerb weight of only 770KG and the strong yet lightweight platform, this is the secret behind the very adequate performance. 2 Airbags and ABS braking with EBD are standard across the range.
Considering that a large portion of my test driving was open-road and freeway, conditions that I would not believe are the ideal for this car, our overall fuel consumption showed as 5.1L/ 100km. Much of this covered cruising at 120 with the little engine buzzing away a bit noisily, but quite happily.
One factor of the tall and narrow design is that you need to be comfortable being shoulder to shoulder with your front passenger and rate the car as a 4 seater. Boot space of 239L is competitive for the market segment.
The base GL version is priced at R134 900 with the S-Edition as tested at R147 900, the cheapest car crown is in the bag. A 2 year/ 30 000km service plan is included as well.
#Suzuki
#SuzukiZA
#SuzukiAutoSouthAfrica
#SuzukiSPresso
#MarutiSuzuki
#BudgetCars
#CityCars
#MiniCrossover
#FunkyCars
#YoungCarBuyers
#FirstCarBuyers

[@SarahCChua]

i got one in a fiery red last October. its cute and funky! and i guess its the right car during recession.

[@MotorMatters]

Great choice in these times and it is a really funky and fun little car. Enjoy and wishing you safe driving

[@mahendrachoudhary6198]

Super ❤️

[@jameswood2096]

Excellent documentary providing detailed information of a brilliantly developed vehicle with great internal space carved out of its small external dimension. Happy and safe driving. Best wishes from Darjeeling.

[@hesterdeklerk1500]

Impressive, thank you.

[@craigvoortman3917]

Great video. Thanks 🙏

[@miles.a1.9]

Nice review Mr R....... I appreciate the fact that you know you are testing a budget car and don't expect leather steering wheel etc.... Great little car and it is a Suzuki after all.

[@gazg00]

Reminds me a lot of a Mahindra kuv 100, but of course the Suzuki wins the day largely due to that big S on the front.

[@AD-uo7de]

That s is bad luck in india for the worst build quality . People literally got crushed in cars made by this s

[@AD-uo7de]

@Lex Kent your reply doesn't make sense brother

[@balachandrangiridharan8886]

the s.presso is far better than the kuv 100, as its built by suzuki the car manufacturers for very long time, the fuel efficient by large the best in the segment, I have a vxi+ags in Srilanka its average 23.5km/litre thats tank to tank filling in the console it shows little over 26km/litre!, in the global ncap they only tested driver side airbag version the base model! overall it a frugal, economical car for a developing country, its only minus is the overtaking,it should be pre planned.

[@AD-uo7de]

@@balachandrangiridharan8886 mahindra is manufacturing cars from 1944 and that too started with building jeeps for military...also if care about your mileage more than your life i think theres no point arguing with you. Take care, be safe!

[@atifmohd2885]

@@AD-uo7de They were just manufacturing cars of other companies. Nothing else