2020 Suzuki S-Presso Review | Philkotse Philippines

Another week, another review. This time, we have the 2020 Suzuki S-Presso for extensive testing.

The S-Presso is the latest pint-sized vehicle from Suzuki to come ashore in the Philippines. Banking on its reputation as a maker of small vehicles, the Japanese marque introduced a new entry-level model in its lineup, replacing the Alto 800.

But does the S-Presso have what it takes to win the hearts of those wanting to buy their first car? More importantly, is value compromised in the newest Suzuki? Read these questions answered in our full review of the 2020 Suzuki S-Presso.

It's definitely a far cry from the Alto 800 which it replaced

There aren't any words invented yet to best describe the S-Presso’s design, except for cute and boxy. It has an apparent appeal from the get-go, and that’s because it doesn’t look like the usual tiny hatchbacks you’ll see running around the city – and quite smaller, too.

It's got that macho, SUV-esque look down, but also note the skinny tires

It sits a bit high off the ground, 180mm to be exact, plus the character lines and claddings are peculiarly simple. Whatever Suzuki is aiming for with the S-Presso, they’ve done it well – at least for us and for those heads that turned whenever we drove by.

The Suzuki S-Presso from the side

But of course, don’t expect too much on the Suzuki S Presso in terms of standard equipment. You’ll get basic halogens as lighting plus the 14-inch wheels are steelies adorned with full hub caps.

The multi-reflector halogen lamps of the Suzuki S-Presso up close

As mentioned, the S-Presso is smaller than your typical mini hatchback, but it doesn’t feel so inside. Surprisingly, creature space is adequate for four persons as long as not one of them is a basketball player. Adding a third passenger at the back would be too much of a compromise, though.

The rear is comfortable for two passengers but three would be pushing it

Suzuki has always been on point in the execution of plastics inside its cars, and the S-Presso isn’t an exception. One caveat though would be the limited adjustments in position, whether you’re the driver or the passenger. Seat bolstering is non-existent, so maybe include that in your list of needed upgrades, along with leather, perhaps?

Note the position of the instrument cluster

Another one for the S-Presso would be the ergonomics of its controls and the abundance of cubbyholes. Cargo space is okay but could have been better if Suzuki added a lever for the tailgate like a normal hatchback, but that’s more of a nitpick at this point, I guess.

The trunk can hold up to 239 liters of cargo

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• 2020 Suzuki S-Presso vs Alto Comparison: Spec Sheet Battle
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The S-Presso isn’t too basic when it comes to tech features, surprisingly. It has a 7-inch Android infotainment system with Bluetooth, plus it already has centralized locking as well. It even has a one-touch lane changer.

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The Suzuki S-Presso is the cheapest car model in the Philippines that's equipped with a touchscreen

However, only the front passengers are blessed with power windows; the rear ones are relegated to manual rollers (yes, manual rollers at this day and age), plus the side mirrors are manually adjustable. I'm not complaining too much, though, these two things kind of have an old school charm on me.

>>> Related: Why 2020 Suzuki S-Presso is more of a lifted Celerio at a lower price

Safety is expectedly basic, which includes ABS, ISOFIX tethers, immobilizer, and three-point seatbelts for four occupants. The rear middle passenger will have to make do with a lap belt, which is fine but definitely not the safest thing out there.

And oh, get this, rear parking sensors for a car just a hair above P500,000. Not bad, Suzuki. 

The 2020 Suzuki S-Presso is powered by a 67-hp, 90-Nm 1.0-liter K10B engine that’s also found on the Suzuki Celerio. However, the lifted hatchback is lighter by 100 kg than the latter, making the S-Presso noticeably spritelier. The 5-speed manual gearbox points things for the better, but don’t expect race car acceleration, of course. It’s still a small naturally-aspirated engine after all.

Speaking of manual, the S-Presso has a tad too soft clutch pedal – good for beginners but not so much for those who grew up with cars from ‘90s like me. It lacks a tachometer as well, so there’s that. It’s a breeze to drive, though, even on heavy traffic. Partnered with a light steering feel, the S-Presso feels zippy in the city but could use a bit more stability on fast drives.

The S-Presso only has one transmission option, and it's a manual 

One thing that should be improved with the S-Presso would be its NVH insulation. You will find yourself getting distracted at times, thinking there’s a window you forgot to close. Ride comfort, as expected, is just average – not too bumpy, not too soft, but unpleasantly reactive with road impurities sometimes.

More importantly, however, the S-Presso registered stellar numbers during our tests. On the highway at around 90 km/h, it clocked in 24 km/L, while combined highway, heavy, and light traffic tallied 16.2 km/L. That's very impressive, if you ask us.

>>> Related: Visit our Cars for sale section to get the best deal.

After spending some time with the S-Presso, it’s hard not to miss the car. Yes, it’s imperfect but there’s something about the whole vehicle that delights whoever goes behind its wheel. It’s like someone you like for the personality and not just for the looks. Is that love? I think it is, and you should definitely check this car out in Suzuki dealerships (if your location right now permits).

It's a lot of car for its price.

Add the fact that the 2020 Suzuki S-Presso only comes with a P518,000 price tag – it makes for a strong compelling case for a great entry-level car, with all things considered.

>>> Monthly-updated price list of all car brands

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