2023 Suzuki S-Presso AGS Review | Philkotse Philippines

The S-Presso is one of the popular Suzuki vehicles in the Philippines. Despite its pint-sized body, the S-Presso was able to attract buyers when it first debuted in the local market back in 2020. It then quickly rose to stardom as it became Suzuki’s third best-selling vehicle in the same year, capturing 13 percent of the car brand’s overall sales in 2020.

The S-Presso’s charm continued the following year as it posted more than 1,200 units sold from January to April 2021. The numbers show that the local market is captivated by the S-Presso since it offers attainable pricing that’s packed with practical features. However, car buyers in the Philippines have been asking Suzuki PH to offer an S-Presso with an automatic transmission.

2023 Suzuki S-Presso AGS

Three years after its initial arrival, and due to the clamor of the local market, Suzuki Philippines finally launched the S-Presso which comes with two pedals only. That said, is the S-Presso with automatic transmission worth the wait? Here’s Philkotse’s 2023 Suzuki S-Presso AGS full review.

The S-Presso AGS comes with the same exterior design that the local market is already familiar with but Suzuki did put some design tweaks into the small hatchback. The updated design is so subtle that one might not spot the difference at first glance, which is not a bad thing since the S-Presso has its own distinctive appeal that has been well-received in the local market. It’s as if Suzuki PH is guided by the cliche phrase that goes “If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.”

Pint-sized hatchback

Suzuki’s pint-sized hatchback still comes with the same halogen headlights that are complemented by a black trim in the middle. The front bumper still comes with a prominent black cladding, which gives a rugged appeal to the vehicle.

It still comes with the same simple yet distinctive exterior

It also comes with the same side profile but the S-Presso AGS now rides on 14-inch alloy wheels that look way more stylish than the steelies fitted on the vehicle when it first debuted in the local market back in 2020. Another design update can be found in the side mirrors, which now have a power adjust feature. I do wish that the S-Presso AGS already comes with power-folding side mirrors but that’s me asking too much for a vehicle at this price point.

The same story goes at the rear as the S-Presso AGS still comes with the same design layout. The taillights are the same as the old model while the bumper is filled with black cladding, which adds character to the vehicle. I do wish that the S-Presso AGS’s tailgate comes with a latch so that you can easily open it when the vehicle is unlocked.

Ready to conquer the urban jungle

The decision to keep the same design layout makes sense since it has been working well in the local market. Moreover, buyers are clamoring for an automatic version, not a revamped exterior design.

Like the exterior, the S-Presso AGS’s cabin has the same layout as compared to the old model. It still comes with a straightforward and no-nonsense interior. The cabin is filled with hard plastic materials, which is not surprising since the S-Presso AGS is a vehicle that aims to be an attainable car for many car buyers in the Philippines. As such, one has to manage his/her expectations when it comes to the S-Presso AGS’s interior.

It comes with an updated infotainment touchscreen

Despite that, the S-Presso AGS is no longer bare-bones especially when you compare it to its older version. The steering wheel now comes integrated with audio and phone controls while the updated infotainment touchscreen is also a nice touch, which I’ll discuss more in a bit. It now also has an overhead mic.

The fabric seats still come with an orange accent, adding style points to the rather bland all-black finish. Cubby holes are also found in the front interior such as bottle holders on each front door panel. You can easily fit a regular-sized 1-liter bottle of mineral or drinking water in each cubby hole on the front doors.

Same layout as the old S-Presso

The S-Presso’s dashboard layout is among the things that make this Suzuki vehicle unique. The instrument cluster is placed at the center of the dashboard, similar to what Toyota did with the first-generation Vios. While it gives a unique finish, some may find it odd, which is understandable. Good thing though that the instrument cluster comes with a dark orange-like illumination, which helps get the attention of your peripheral vision.

The only downside of such a layout is that the center aircon vents are pushed to the side, which somehow affects airflow to reach the rear passenger area.

The buttons for the front power windows are also placed at the center, just below the infotainment system. I find this placement odd since muscle memory dictates me to locate the power window button on the side or on the door panel. But Suzuki said that this layout gives the S-Presso AGS more space on the side, which is crucial for the vehicle’s pint-sized dimensions.

Rear seats of the S-Presso AGS

The S-Presso AGS’s rear cabin is as basic as it can get. The door panels don’t even come with bottle holders, and they also have manual window rollers, a nostalgic nod to the cars in the 90s.

Suzuki says the rear seats can accommodate up to three individuals. Yes, it can but it’s quite a tight squeeze, even for average-sized Filipino adults. For maximum comfort, two grown adults standing 5’6” can easily sit at the rear with enough leg- and headroom. The rear seats are bench-type and can be folded should you need extra cargo space. Of note, it doesn’t come with a 60:40 split, which is expected.

S-Presso AGS's cargo space

In terms of cargo space, the S-Presso AGS has a generous loading area considering its overall size. The cargo area is deep, allowing you to load different items such as up to four overnight bags. One concern that I had though is that the cargo area’s opening is quite narrow while the loading height is a bit high.

The 2023 Suzuki S-Presso AGS has an updated seven-inch infotainment touchscreen that now comes with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility. This is huge, especially for individuals who use Waze for navigation, and Spotify for onboard music. I also appreciate Suzuki PH for integrating CarPlay and Android Auto into the S-Presso AGS even though it’s being marketed as a budget-friendly car.

The addition of the Apple CarPlay is much appreciated

If you’re not fond of CarPlay and Android Auto, the S-Presso AGS’ default or stock touchscreen interface also looks decent. It comes with icons that do not look outdated while the screen itself is responsive.

The S-Presso AGS also has rear parking sensors as well as an electronic stability program, hill hold control, and engine automatic start-stop technology, a feature that’s also present in the seven-seater Suzuki Ertiga Hybrid. Not to mention, the S-Presso AGS also comes with dual airbags and an anti-lock braking system with electronic brake force distribution.

The S-Presso AGS is powered by a new 1.0-liter K10C gasoline three-cylinder engine that delivers 66 horsepower and 89 Nm of torque. It is mated to Suzuki’s Automatic Gear Shift (AGS), which is an automated manual.

Powered by a new 1.0-liter K10C gasoline engine

The AGS is a technology developed by Suzuki, which is a type of automatic transmission that uses an actuator to shift gears. Think of it as driving a manual transmission-powered car but you don’t have to worry about operating the clutch.

As such, it drives or operates differently than cars with conventional torque converter automatics and continuously variable transmission (CVT). The AGS does not give you the usual driving feel of torque converter automatics or CVTs. As such, shift shocks can be felt while I was driving the Suzuki S-Presso AGS.

The S-Presso AGS retains its design language

I also noticed that when you want to shift to a higher gear, you need to slightly lift your foot off the gas pedal and then apply pressure to it once again to prompt the AGS to shift to a higher gear. But, the said technique sometimes works to your preference while sometimes it does not. Good thing that the vehicle comes with a manual mode wherein you have more control over the gears.

One thing I appreciate about Suzuki’s pint-sized hatchback is the integration of the Engine Auto Start Stop (EASS) system. This cuts engine power when the vehicle is at a full stop, which in theory, helps you yield better fuel economy numbers. Although, there were a few occasions when the EASS didn’t shut down the engine when the vehicle came to a full stop. Also, at longer stops and when the EASS was activated, the S-Presso’s aircon power tended to decrease its intensity.

Even the taillight design is the same as the old model

The S-Presso AGS’s steering wheel is a bit firm but not that bothersome. I like that it has a bit of a weighted feel since I have this sense of having more control over the vehicle. It also gives enough road feedback. When it comes to absorbing road impacts, the S-Presso AGS performed within reason. The suspension leans on the firm side, which is the same as the older version.

The Suzuki S-Presso AGS returned notable numbers when it comes to fuel efficiency. I was able to get 9 km/l while driving at an average speed of 15 km/h. Now, when the EASS is activated, the S-Presso AGS registered 10.2 km/l at an average speed of 15 km/h.

On the other hand, the said small Suzuki hatchback returned 21.2 km/l while cruising on the open highway at 80 km/h.

Priced at Php 660,000 as of this writing, the S-Presso AGS is a good offering from Suzuki Auto Philippines. At that price, you already get Suzuki’s automated manual technology that can make your daily city drives more bearable. It also comes with an updated infotainment system, which now has Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility.

2023 Suzuki S-Presso AGS

Not just that, it also comes with the EASS system, which is also present in the Ertiga Hybrid. Suzuki also equipped the S-Presso AGS with essential safety features such as the electronic stability program, hill hold control, and dual airbags, among others.

Of all the things, I hope that Suzuki will improve the S-Presso’s AGS tech further. Yes, it’s an automated manual system but the carmaker needs to refine it more to lessen the jarring feeling or the shift shock when the AGS is looking for the right gear.