Since the year started, fuel prices have generally been on an upward trend. What should have been a temporary (if routine) increase has turned into a series of price hikes, overwhelming and frustrating motorists every time they need to fill up at the pumps.
Unpredictable fuel prices might discourage customers from buying a new car
For those who are about to buy their first car, or are even set on getting a second vehicle, this couldn’t have come at a worse time. While it sounds like everyone is helpless in the face of runaway fuel prices, it’s not like the market has run out of options when it comes to buying cars.
When it comes to fuel efficiency among car brands, some do it better than others. Typically, smaller cars tend to be known for consuming less fuel, on account of their lighter weight compared to bigger vehicles.
The Suzuki S-Presso comes with a touchscreen head unit despite its price
One option is the Suzuki S-Presso, priced from Php 563,000 to Php 588,000. What makes it stand out, apart from being the most affordable model in the market with a touchscreen, is that it manages a fuel consumption figure of 22 kilometers per liter. This is despite having a generous ground clearance and riding position, which are usually responsible for reducing fuel efficiency.
Suzuki's new-generation Celerio is the only one in its class with hill-start assist
If you’re looking for something a little more upmarket, the new Suzuki Celerio might be right up your alley. This small hatchback comes with an Auto Gear Shift (AGS) transmission option. Its 1.0-liter 3-cylinder gasoline power unit comes with an Engine Auto Stop Start (EASS) system, resulting in a fuel consumption of 28.25 kilometers per liter. Not bad for its sticker price of between Php 708,000 and Php 754,000.
The DZire is Suzuki PH's entry into the subcompact sedan market
Going for a model with a dedicated trunk is good for cargo carrying capacity, but will it affect fuel consumption? The Suzuki DZire subcompact sedan seems to disagree, particularly the GL manual transmission version priced at Php 758,000. It packs a 1.2-liter 4-cylinder gasoline engine under the hood, which returns an impressive 26.54 kilometers per liter.
If it’s connectivity you’re after, there’s the Suzuki Swift subcompact hatchback and its 8-inch touchscreen that offers Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility. For Php 898,000, it has a sporty presence that belies its superior fuel efficiency of just 31.54 kilometers for every liter of fuel that goes into its 1.2-liter gasoline engine. Having a continuously variable transmission helps, too.
Connectivity is just one of the Suzuki Swift's strong points
Your household might prefer something that has more seats to accommodate the whole family. The Suzuki Ertiga MPV fits the bill nicely, and it only costs from Php 853,000 to Php 1,003,000. For that price, it has a generous interior that has enough space for seven occupants plus cargo. Under the hood lies a 1.5-liter gasoline inline-4 engine capable of traveling 20.50 kilometers per liter of fuel. Of note, the Ertiga is one of Suzuki's flagship models.
Want something that’s a little more dressed up? There’s the Suzuki XL7, with its aggressive SUV styling matched with practicality. A sticker price of Php 1,138,000 gets you the same seating capacity as the Ertiga, with ventilated cupholders to keep refreshments cool. Despite its sporty exterior, the XL7’s 1.5-liter gasoline engine can still manage up to 17.11 kilometers per liter.
The Suzuki Ertiga still manages to be fuel-efficient despite its large dimensions
These numbers were not just plucked out of thin air, mind you. They were all achieved in a recent eco run overseen by representatives from the Automobile Association of the Philippines (AAP).
Rising fuel prices don’t necessarily need to put you off from buying a new car. If anything, they can even guide you into making more informed choices and help you get more than your money’s worth.
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This story was produced in partnership with Suzuki
Know more about Suzuki S-Presso 2024
The Suzuki S-Presso 2024 is a five-seater city car. In the Philippines, it has two available trims. These are the S-Presso GL 1.0 MT and the GL 1.0 AGS. The GL MT is priced at Php 620,000, while the AGS version retails at 660,000.
Size-wise, the S-Presso 2024 has a length of 3,565mm, a width of 1,529mm, and a height of 1,565mm. It also has a ground clearance of 180mm.
Locally, the S-Presso competes against the likes of the Toyota Wigo, Mitsubishi Mirage hatchback, Honda Brio, among others.
>>> New and used Suzuki S-Presso 2024 for sale in the Philippines
Toyota Wigo TRD-S vs Suzuki S-Presso AGS | Philkotse Spec Check
Suzuki S-Presso Launch
The model was introduced to Indian customers in 2019, eventually making its way to the Philippines in 2020. It replaced the Alto K10 in Suzuki’s Indian lineup as well as the Alto 800 in the carmaker’s Philippine offerings. In the Philippine release, the vehicle is available in two variants, with the option of 14-inch alloy wheels for the base model.
This is the second Suzuki Auto model named after a type of coffee, following the Suzuki Cappuccino two-seater convertible which was in production from 1991 to 1998.
Later in 2023, Suzuki Philippines updated the S-Presso. The brand likewise introduced the automatic gear-shift (AGS) model.
Suzuki S-Presso Exterior
Coming in at 3,565mm long, 1,529mm wide, and 1,565mm high, the Philippine-release Suzuki S-Presso sports a hatchback form factor, with small dimensions offset by various SUV styling cues such as prominent fenders, a high beltline, and a tall ground clearance of 180mm. The slim black grille with trapezoidal elements (chrome for top-spec SE) is surrounded by multi-reflector halogen headlamps, with cutout panels for aftermarket fog lamps below. A black resin bumper houses the front air dam and a lower lip styled as a skid plate.
At the rear, C-shaped rear combination lamps are also located high up on the body, pushed to the corners flanking the tailgate, resting above the black resin rear bumper. The S-Presso rides on a set of 14-inch steel wheels with full wheel covers for the non-SE variant, while the rest get 14-inch alloy wheels.
Suzuki S-Presso Interior
For the interior, the S-Presso sold in the Philippines comes in a predominantly black interior color palette. A single front-mounted cabin light provides illumination. There’s room for up to five occupants, with front seat featuring integrated headrests while the rear bench uses removable head restraints. The vinyl and fabric seats have a high hip point which provides occupants with an elevated seating position. There’s room for up to 239 liters of cargo, expandable by folding the rear seats.
Front power windows are standard equipment, with switches mounted on the dashboard. A digital instrument panel with amber backlighting is located at the center of the dashboard. There’s a front storage pocket between the front seats, as well as bottle holders on the center console and door pockets.
Suzuki S-Presso Colors
In the Philippines, there are 4 available Suzuki S-Presso colors. The 2024 Suzuki S-Presso can come in orange (Sizzle Orange), and there’s also a Suzuki S-Presso in silver (Metallic Silky Silver). Furthermore, one can also get the Suzuki S-Presso in a darker shade of gray (Metallic Granite Grey). And lastly, the Suzuki S-Presso can also be had in red (Fire Red).
Meanwhile, the top-of-the-line Suzuki S-Presso SE is available in Starry Blue Pearl, which creates a distinction from the non-SE variants.
Technology & Safety
The Philippine-spec S-Presso comes equipped with a 7-inch touchscreen head unit that has an AM/FM radio tuner, USB and Bluetooth connectivity, as well as video, music, and photo playback. Manual air-conditioning controls with rotary switches are located below the display.
For safety, the Suzuki S-Presso Philippines offers anti-lock brakes with electronic brakeforce distribution, dual front airbags, four 3-point ELR seatbelts with one 2-point lap belt, and ISOFIX child seat anchor points. Childproof rear door locks and rear parking sensors are also included, as well as seatbelt reminders for the front occupants.
In crash tests conducted by Global NCAP, the S-Presso scored zero stars out of five for the base variant without seatbelt pre-tensioners, front passenger airbags, and ISOFIX anchors, features that are omitted on the Indian-spec base trim.
The 2024 AGS variant then gets hill-hold control.
Platform & Chassis
The Philippine-spec S-Presso is built around the fifth-generation HEARTECT K platform, which Suzuki Philippines claims uses advanced and ultra-high tensile steel. Better ride quality and handling are achieved through increased rigidity, while the chassis reduces the vehicle’s weight by up to 30 kg. The platform has been in use since 2014 on the Suzuki Alto and currently underpins a range of other Suzuki models such as the Swift, DZire, Ertiga, and XL7.
Suzuki designed the frame of the S-Presso to center around the Total Effective Control Technology (TECT) concept, resulting in a structure that can absorb and disperse crash energy in the event of a collision. Electric power steering combined with the vehicle’s small dimensions allows it a minimum turning radius of 4.5m. Front MacPherson strut and rear torsion beam suspension are standard.
Engine & Drivetrain
The Suzuki S-Presso sold in the Philippines runs on a 1.0-liter K10B 3-cylinder gasoline engine that produces 67 hp and up to 90 Nm of torque. This is mated to a 5-speed manual transmission or 5-speed auto-gear shift gearbox that routes power to the front wheels.
Available colors for the Suzuki S-Presso 2024 in the Philippines include Sizzle Orange, Fire Red, Metallic Granite Gray, Metallic Silky Silver, and Pearl Starry Blue (exclusive to the Special Edition).
The Suzuki S-Presso 2024's main advantage is in terms of price compared to its rivals, as it is currently the most affordable car that can be bought brand-new in the market. It matches the Toyota Wigo in terms of ground clearance but is generally smaller in most respects than other contenders in the segment. Owing to its price tag, the S-Presso had to do away with certain interior amenities such as power windows on the rear doors, although it still manages to come with a touchscreen head unit that has Bluetooth connectivity. However, it is only available in a 5-speed manual transmission.
Suzuki S-Presso 2024 Price List
Let's check out the Suzuki S-Presso 2024 price in September in the Philippines.
| Variants | Price |
|---|---|
| Suzuki S-Presso GL MT | ₱620,000 |
| Suzuki S-Presso GL AGS | ₱660,000 |
Suzuki S-Presso Pros & Cons
Pros
- Affordable
- SUV styling
- Roomy cabin
-
Outstanding fuel economy
Cons
- Subpar insulation against noise and vibration
- No Apple CarPlay/Android Auto
- No tachometer for gear shifts
- Available only with a manual transmission
Suzuki S-Presso FAQs
1. What are the dimensions of Suzuki S-Presso?
The overall dimension of the Suzuki S-Presso is 3,565 mm length x 1,520 mm width x 1,565 mm height.
2. Is the Suzuki S-Presso automatic or manual?
The Philippine-spec Suzuki S-Presso is only offered with manual transmission.
3. How much is Suzuki S-Presso 2024 in the Philippines?
The price of the new S-Presso in the Philippines ranges from 620,000 Php for the GL to 660,000 for the AGS.
4. How many color options does the Suzuki S-Presso have?
Locally, Suzuki S-Presso has 4 available colors: Metallic Silky Silver, Sizzle Orange, Metallic Granite Grey, and Fire Red.
5. Is the Suzuki S-Presso a hatchback?
Yes, it is.
₱ 620,000 - ₱ 660,000
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