My Suzuki S-Presso Experience and Review
Due to the unstoppable increase in fuel cost, I have decided to replace my Mitsubishi Lancer “Singkit” with an affordable and economical alternative. This is the beginning of my journey in finding the car that would suit my needs and style.
So here are my criteria:
- Fuel Efficient
- Affordable
- Cheap to Maintain
- Small/Compact 🙂
Upon watching a lot of reviews, reading a lot of features from different brand and models, I have short listed the best options:
- Suzuki S-Presso – its small and cute 🙂
- Suzuki Celerio – I really like it before S-Presso arrives
- Toyota Wigo – we all know how durable Toyota is 🙂
And eventually between Suzuki S-Presso and Toyota Wigo.
The deciding factor is about the riding experience (the feel). Sitting on the S-Presso is quite “nice” since its different. It feels “big” even though its “small”. 🙂 and its much cheaper than Toyota Wigo 🙂
Purchasing the All New Suzuki S-Presso
I don’t know what comes in my mind, but instead of applying for financing from an agent, I opted to apply a GFAL loan from GSIS to pay my existing loan and use the remaining amount (around 400k) to purchase the Suzuki S-Presso. The price of Suzuki S-Presso in Bacolod City, Negros Occidental that time (March 2021) is 573k with 20k discount for cash payment.
After my GFAL loan from GSIS was approved and the check was released, I have to deposit it first in my Landbank account – you cant use it to pay directly. After I think 2 days, to cut the story short, I have withdrawn the money via counter, carried more than half a million in my backpack and well, paid my Suzuki S-Presso at the dealer. And of course my agent has already prepared the unit before hand, so after paying, I am driving my Suzuki S-Presso home.
After doing some computation, I found out that applying for financing from the offer of the agent will be much cheaper at around 20-30k (5 years compared to GFAL which is 6 years). Wew, regretted I didn’t checked it before.
PS. You have to pay for the comprehensive insurance if your paying cash (not free on first year)
The Experience / Review (My Suzuki S-Presso Experience and Review)
Well, fuel efficiency is “wow”. Its almost like using a motorcycle with the comfort of a car (roof and aircon). Fuel consumption is playing around 19km/L to 24km/L depending on situation (manual computation, includes sitting inside, engine on and aircon on 🙂 ).
Clutch Noise
I have experienced a strange sound on day 1. Upon reading posts from Suzuki S-Presso Official FB group, suggesting a little adjustment in the clutch cable, well the noise was gone. After a few weeks, I actually returned the original setting of the clutch cable but the noise now is gone.
Engine, road, shifting, rain, and air noise
Yup, you can hear all of them. But, I like hearing them anyway so its not really a big deal for me. 🙂
Curves/corner
You really have to slow down in curves/corner, otherwise you will really feel the body roll.
Steering
Thanks to its electric steering assist, the steering wheel is actually quite nice, just don’t expect much.
Ride Comfort
What I really like on the Suzuki S-Presso is the feeling while driving it since the seats are high, meaning, I have good view on the road. I know the comfort of the Sedan seat but, I prefer more the high seats of S-Presso.
No Wiper and No door handle on the back
Yep you have to deal with it 🙂
The window mechanism at the back is manual, and the side mirror adjustment is also manual.
No tachometer, so you will never know the rev, you just have to feel it, or should I say listen to it since you can hear the engine sound 🙂
No speed auto door lock feature, but I think there are compatible OBD speed auto lock sold already. Not really interested on it so I haven’t tested it yet.
The AIRCON is VERY COLD. the maximum setting for me is 2 🙂
Sound is descent, with the right adjustment, you can have a quite good sound experience.
For my Tint, I have medium tint on the front, and super dark on all other sides.
Accessories that I have added
- Cabin Filter – Yep it doesn’t have one, but it has a cabin filter compartment. I first purchased a disposable cabin filter from Suzuki Celerio Gen 2 and cut it out to fit, and waited until the washable filter designed for Suzuki S-Presso was on sale for 50% in Shopee 🙂 (Yes I know I’m cheap!)
- Rain Visor – Ordered in from Shopee too 🙂
- Dash Camera – attached on the center mirror
- Air Ionizer – purchased a 12v negative ion generator from Shopee and DIYed it under the seat.
- 12v Socket extender/splitter – up to 3 more sockets (for my dashcam, air ionizer, and voltage/temp display)
- Rubber Wheel Eyebrow Arc
- Rechargeable center light
- LED H4 headlight
- LED T10 park light
- Bosch Evolution Horn
- Plate holder with fog lamp holder
- Mini Driving Light (Yellow) – extra light if raining, with wireless switch (remote control) 🙂
- LED strip light in front
I have purchased also a 12v tire inflator, and tire gauge from Shopee. It is quite important to always monitor your tire pressure.
Finale
All in all, buying the All New Suzuki S-Presso is a great choice. It may have issues and shortcomings but hey, its a budget, compact car, we cant compare it to expensive cars and SUVs. It can bring you from point A to point B, it has a great fuel economy (well its small and lightweight), it has a decent power (don’t expect much from a 1.0 engine). It is fun to drive, and its CUTE! (I know that’s subjective) 🙂
It is important to note that parts of S-Presso will come from India, so repairs may take some time in case of problems like accidents.
The touch screen head unit of S-Presso is quite basic, and many experienced some issues. In my case, I always ensure that the Radio is fully loaded before starting the car. And only my USB flash drive is inserted in the USB port. For charging, I use the USB port from my 12v socket expander.
My thoughts on 0 NCAP rating (Safety Issue they keep on throwing at S-Presso)
Yes, Suzuki S-Presso has a 0 (zero) NCAP rating on safety but the unit that was tested was a base model from India. So what’s the difference from the unit in the Philippines:
- We have dual airbag, driver and passenger (tested unit has only 1)
- Seat belt has pre-tensioner and force limiter (tested unit has no such feature)
- ISOfix seat (tested unit has no such feature)
But lets accept the fact that it is a small hatchback/car, collision/accident may still be fatal to the driver and passengers if speed is way too fast, because, again its SMALL. So it is still best to dive defensively and at a moderate speed.
It is still way safer than riding a motorcycle! 🙂 Don’t get me wrong, I love riding my motorcycle 🙂
Anyways, if you are really concern about safety then buy a bigger car, or maybe a truck. (kidding)
My Suzuki S-Presso Experience and Review
———————- My Suzuki S-Presso Experience and Review ———————
My remote controlled Mini Driving Light (Yellow) / Fog Light since I don’t want to run switch wire inside.
To ensure not leaving it on accidentally after parking (happened to me several times with my Lancer Singkit, and drained my battery), I have added a relay with power (+) connected to the park light. So if park light is switched off, the relay will lose its power and turn off also my fog light.
Here’s how I wired it for reference:
The “extra” relay I used above is not really necessary. I simply used it since I have an extra relay on hand. If you don’t want to use an extra relay, you may follow the following:
Programmed the receiver with the remote (1 press-momentary mode, 2 press-toggle mode, 3 press-latching mode, long press reset). I used toggle mode since I have another relay to be controlled by button B. I then used a double sided tape to put the remote control in place.