Maruti Suzuki S-Presso: A Mini SUV That’s Too Big for the City jungle The Maruti Suzuki S-Presso is a one-of-a-kind product in the space of entry-level hatchback, being a “micro SUV” with practicality and striking design elements.

Targeted at millennials and the urban commuter, the S-Presso comes with bold SUV styling, high ground clearance, a compact footprint and Maruti’s reputation for fuel efficiency.

It’s out to provide a positive driving experience in a tiny, budget-friendly wrapper fit for the city and even first-time car buyers.

Unique SUV-Inspired Design

The first thing one notices is the out-of-box SUV – sitooterie styling of the vehicle in a small size package.

The up-right stance, tall bonnet, square wheel arches and chunky bumpers make it look a bit like a mini-SUV, a rare thing to find in a car at this end of the pricing scale.

A large, chrome-trimmed front grille standing out against high-mounted halogen headlamps; the look is both eccentric and youthful.

You can’t miss its tall-boy proportions, which not only give the car a unique look, but also offer benefits in the form of the higher seating position and easier ingress-egress.

The design may be a polarizing one but it does help give the S-Presso an identity on Indian roads.

Practical and Airy Cabin

Open the door and there is an unexpectedly spacious cabin in that small space.

It’s fairly rangy inside, providing lots of headroom in the upright cabin and enough space front and back for urban daily driving.

We also love the centrally mounted digital instrument cluster, which looks snazzy and modern against the rest of the somewhat basic dashboard.

The material is of cheap quality, but what more can you ask for with such a price? But in some versions, a splash of bright color and matching body-colored trim graces the interior.

There are lots of of usable storage spaces, including cupholders, door pockets and a fairly large glovebox.

Boot space is 240 litres, which is more than handy for the shopping or a quick weekend getaway.

Upbeat Performance, Dismal in the City

The S-Presso is powered by a 1.0-litre K10C petrol engine which delivers an estimated 67 PS and 89 Nm.

It also has a peppy midrange that’s perfect for darting through traffic in the city.

Its lightweight design also contributes to the high power-to-weight ratio, for lightning fast, super-efficient handling.

The car is available with a 5-speed manual transmission and a 5-speed AMT (automated manual transmission) box.

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The AMT variant is particularly well received among urban buyers who desire the convenience of an automatic but do not want to lose on the fuel efficiency.

Actual mileage varies between 20–24 km/l, which considering the size and performance is excellent.

Features and Safety Package

In terms of tech features, the S-Presso gets a 7-inch SmartPlay Studio touchscreen infotainment system with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, at least in the top variants.

Other features on offer per RE Alto K10 exteriors are power windows, keyless entry, front power socket and steering mounted audio controls.

On the safety front, the car gets dual airbags, ABS with EBD, rear parking sensors, and a speed alert system as standard.

Body inline with Indian crash safety norms, has been awarded below average rating in global crash tests.

The vehicle’s higher center of gravity also leaves it with little resistance to body roll during hard cornering.

Pros:

SUV Style: Bold design in an affordable segment.

Mileage: Good mileage in some and medium in some; same with other factors…millage in manual and AMT?

Peppy Engine – Good for city ride and mild highways menjgfdhbclfGetting around the city is a breeze since it is easy to manoeuvre.

High Ground Clearance: Good enough for rough roads & speed breakers.

Small size: Park and navigate through tight spots in the city.

Cons: 

Polarizing Design: The quirky design won’t be everyone’s cup of tea.

Rear Comfort Could Be More: The rear seat space, as well as under- thigh support, is on the lower side.

Rough Trek to the Lodge: The interior is utilitarian but not luxurious.

Safety Rating: Lower crash safety ratings than competitors.

Maruti Suzuki S-Presso: Final Verdict

Maruti Suzuki S-Presso After a long time has brought a fresh new design in the small car space with braces mini-SUV styling,

that offers a high seating position to people in India along with the convenience of driving in city, good fuel efficiency to buy Indian owners.

It is well-suited for first-time buyers, urbanites, and people in search of a budget-conscious but slightly adventurous little hatchback.

It’s not the highest quality interior, or rear seat comfort, but one hell of a package for the price.

If you’re after a car with lots of personality, good drivability and low running costs, the S-Presso merits a place on your shortlist.