Interested Suzuki S-Presso buyers want an AT option and we agree

Updated Nov 15, 2021 | Same topic: Latest Consumer Reports

Do we really need an automatic variant for the Suzuki S-Presso?

The Suzuki S-Presso is a subcompact hatchback/crossover first introduced by Maruti Suzuki in India. It is built on the fifth-generation HEARTECT platform which enhances the in-cabin experience of all Suzuki models.

The S-Presso is exported to countries and regions such as South Africa, Sri Lanka, Southeast Asia, and Latin America.

2020 Suzuki S-Presso Philippines: Specs, Features, and Pricing Overview

As you may well be aware by now, the Suzuki S-Presso is now in the Philippines but there’s a catch – it’s only available in a sole MT variant married to a 1.0L K10B gasoline engine that produces 67 hp and 90 Nm of torque. 

In India, there are three available variants of the Suzuki S-Presso that runs on its AGS or Auto Gear Shift transmission, which is the same transmission found in the Suzuki Dzire.

Both Suzuki Sri Lanka and Suzuki South Africa also offer an automatic transmission for their local S-Presso unit.

>>> Related: Suzuki S-Presso is the cheapest car in PH with touchscreen head unit

The Suzuki S-Presso introduction

The Suzuki S-Presso was introduced in New Delhi, India

Another impressive feature that the Suzuki S-Presso 2020 has is its ground clearance that measures 180mm, which is a bit high for its size, giving it an added limited capability to conquer unchartered roads.

The Suzuki S-Presso is priced at Php 518,000 which makes it an affordable and practical city car.

Having a manual transmission in a city car kind of defeats the point, though, since it isn’t really convenient to drive a stick within the confines of a traffic-laden city.

The HEARTECH platform

HEARTECH platform includes ABS with EBD, Rear Parking Assist Sensor, Dual Airbags, and many more

However, the Suzuki S-Presso locally is said to be marketed to be as affordable as possible, hence a manual transmission.

An automatic transmission variant could add at least Php 50,000 to its price point which may affect the overall sales of the new contender in the local market.

As much as we want an automatic variant for the new Suzuki S-Presso, we would have to wait for further announcement from Suzuki Philippines.

Who knows, maybe after the projected success of this Suzuki S-Presso, Suzuki Philippines might, after all, fetch a reason to further market more variants for this lifted hatchback.

Here at Philkotse.com, we value your interest in the automotive industry. You can visit our website to find out more.

Know more about Suzuki S-Presso 2024

Suzuki S-Presso

The Suzuki S-Presso 2025 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 634,000, while the AGS version retails at 674,000.

Size-wise, the S-Presso 2025 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 2025 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 GL

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 GL

Suzuki S-Presso Colors

In the Philippines, there are 4 available Suzuki S-Presso colors. The 2025 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 2025 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 2025 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 2025'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 2025 Price List

Let's check out the Suzuki S-Presso 2025 price in January in the Philippines.

 Variants Price
Suzuki S-Presso GL MT ₱634,000
Suzuki S-Presso GL AGS ₱674,000

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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Rex Sanchez

Rex Sanchez

Author

Rex Sanchez grew up in Saudi Arabia where he saw and got into the automotive scene. He started his career for an aviation company in the said region, writing about turbines and rotors which are later distributed for educational purposes. And now, he joined Philkotse.com as a staff writer. Currently, he is the youngest on the team and is more than ready to grow in the field.

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rexsanchez09

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