Suzuki can attribute a great portion of its success to having the right offering in the right segment. The S-Presso is such an offering, a budget-friendly, super-compact hatchback with styling that suggests a more crossover-like demeanour. Indeed, with an impressive ground clearance of 180 mm and its revvy 3-cylinder engine, the S-Presso can be found not just in the urban jungles, but also in the thick of the real stuff, thanks to its more adventurous owner profile.
With styling somewhat inherent of an older-generation Jimny and the current Ignis, buyers love its chunky appearance, which can be further customised to your preference with Suzuki's list of extras. We reckon that what's made it an overall winner is its high-end packaging, extensive list of extras for the Suzuki S-Presso interior, and competitive after-sales experience, including warranty and service plan.
The Suzuki S-Presso history lesson is a short one because the S-Presso debuted in 2019 as the Maruti Suzuki S-Presso. It subsequently won the Hatchback of the Year award in India's Tech and Auto Awards 2019 and has gone on to garner many accolades since. It was also in the running for the 2021 Budget Car of the Year in the South African Car Awards — clearly bolstered by an improved safety reputation.
The S-Presso's safety profile has been raised significantly since its debut, originally achieving zero stars in the Global NCAP safety tests, but now managing a respectable three-star rating thanks to uprated technologies including ABS with EBD and SRS dual front airbags.
Suzuki SA has partnered with Wesbank to produce Suzuki Mobility Finance, an in-house financing initiative to make the process of buying new (and old) cars seamless. They're also one of the few local automakers that constantly offer special deals on their vehicles, especially with the SPresso.
The prices vary across their three-model (GL, GL+ and GL+ S-Edition) lineup from R156 900 for the entry-level 1.0 GL manual, to their flagship GL+ S-Edition with an automated transmission at R184 900. The Suzuki website is highly informative with technical specs and info on creature comforts and more to help you choose an S-Presso to match your needs.
They all feature the same naturally aspirated one-litre engine, good for 50 kW and 90 Nm. By no means nippy, the S-Presso provides honest economical (4.9L/100 km) transport but with a raft of standard features. The base GL comes with aircon, electric front windows, rear park distance control, multi-information display and more. The GL+ is even more lush with a seven-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Apple Carplay and Android Auto in addition to the obligatory Bluetooth and USB connections.
If you decide the S-Edition is the one for you, its extra features are limited to garnishes such as skid plates, cladding and silver accents both inside and out. If you don't mind shifting gears yourself, the S-Presso 1.0 GL+ manual at R161 900 makes for a compelling purchase.
The Suzuki S-Presso service plan is valid for two-years/30 000 km and a five-year/200 000 km Promotional Warranty. Suzuki SA recommends servicing the S-Presso once every 12 months or every 15 000 km, whichever comes first.
Like most Suzukis, the S-Presso enjoys a wide assortment of parts in South Africa, as well as a good service network. They're not as commonly hijacked or stolen as other cars, so could potentially reward their buyers with more favourable insurance premiums. We still recommend shopping around, however, and comparing Suzuki S-Presso insurance quotes to find the best price.
This article is for informational purposes only and should not be construed as financial, legal or medical advice.
