Bigger and better than you expect
Written by Neil Pagulayan
You’ve probably done a double take when you see them on the road. They were launched right as the metro was plunged into enhanced community quarantine earlier this year. Is it a hatchback? Is it a crossover? Well according to Suzuki, it’s a compact crossover.
Exterior
On paper, it’s specc’ed out like an entry level variant, but it’s the only variant currently available, and, as I found out, it’s sufficiently equipped.
If you look at it from the side, you’ll notice the belt line is higher and this works two ways, to give it an illusion of a higher center of gravity and there’s more door to protect you from side impacts.
The contoured wheel arches give it a muscular look and squarish wheel arches give it a sporty feel. Out front, you get halogen headlamps with integrated turn signals. At the rear are C-shaped brake lights.
The manually adjusted side mirrors, and both front and rear bumpers are color keyed to the top half, while black on the bottom.
It rolls on 165/70’s and 14-inch steel rims with decent looking plastic covers.
Interior
Step inside and you’ll find a roomy cabin thanks to its high roofline. The first thing you’ll see is that the digital instrument “cluster” is in the middle of the dashboard. It’s considerably wide inside, despite looking narrow outside.
You won’t bang shoulders with your passenger in the front seat, which is good. Only the driver and front passenger have power windows. The rear doors’ windows are manually operated. There’s generous legroom in the rear. The seats are quite flat, but can seat seat average sized Pinoys comfortably.
It’s equipped with a seven-inch touchscreen AM/FM entertainment system with USB and Bluetooth connectivity. Its no fuss air-conditioning is manually controlled.
The rear luggage area has 239 liters of space and the rear seats fold forward to open up the rear cargo area for bigger items. Above the rear cargo area is a deckshelf where you put small or light items for easy access. It also stops prying eyes from seeing what’s in the cargo area.
Engine
Under the hood is a little, but surprisingly perky K10B 1.0L 3-cylinder multipoint injected gasoline engine. It puts out 67-Hp at 5,500 rpm, with 90-Nm of torque at 3,500 rpm mated to a five-speed manual transmission.
Safety and convenience
The S-Presso is built on Suzuki’s latest generation Heartect platform, with a light, yet rigid frame that dissipates impact forces in case of a collision. It’s also equipped with Anti-lock brake system (ABS), three-point seatbelts for driver, front passenger, and two passengers in the back seat. The middle passenger gets a two-point seatbelt. There’s also driver and front passenger airbags, two ISOFIX child seat anchors and two child seat tether anchors, child proof rear locks, an immobilizer and a rear parking assist system.
For convenience, under the air con controls, you get a 12V and USB socket. There are lots of nooks and storage areas aside from the usual glove box. There’s an open tray above that. Under the 12V/USB sockets is a front console pocket and two cup holders. There are door pockets and bottle holders and behind the handbrake is a rear console pocket.
Impressions
When I first sat in the S-Presso, I was surprised to see how much space there was, and that it did feel like a compact SUV and not a small car. It’s easy to get in and out of, and easy to park. Although cargo space is a bit small for 3-4 people going out of town, if it’s just you and a special someone, then it’s big enough.
Its 180mm ground clearance gives you a good view of what’s ahead.
The 1.0L engine has adequate power, and when you learn where the power rpms are in each gear, you can have some fun with it. It has a small fuel tank — according to specs, 27 liters — but it’s so frugal, you won’t have to worry about range on short jaunts out of the city. It’s fun to drive, easy in tight areas and even out on the open road.
It comes in cool colors and makes an ideal first or second car. Priced at P518,000, you get more than what you pay for. Suzuki might have targeted a young market for this compact crossover SUV, but I feel, it’s a vehicle that practical titos and titas should consider.