If you drive in the chaos of Indian city traffic, you know the struggle: tight parking spots, sudden potholes, and the endless need for better mileage. Enter the Maruti Suzuki S-Presso. It calls itself a “Micro SUV,” but let’s be real—is it actually worth your hard-earned money?
Whether you love its boxy looks or hate them, you cannot ignore this car. Here is a friendly, no-nonsense breakdown of why the S-Presso might just be the smartest buy for the urban jungle.
1. The “SUV” Feel on a Budget
Maruti markets the S-Presso with a “bold SUV-inspired front fascia,” and while it won’t be climbing mountains, it certainly sits high.
- Commanding View: The biggest win here is the seating position. You sit high up, giving you a commanding view of the road, similar to an SUV. This makes spotting potholes and navigating bumper-to-bumper traffic a breeze,.
- Ground Clearance: With 180mm of ground clearance, you don’t have to worry about scraping the bottom on nasty speed breakers.
2. A TARDIS on Wheels (Space Surprise!)
Don’t let the small exterior fool you. The S-Presso is like a magic trick—small on the outside, big on the inside.
- Tall Boy Design: Thanks to its upright stance, there is surprisingly good headroom.
- Legroom: Reviews confirm that this tiny car can actually seat four six-footers comfortably back-to-back! The knee room is a big leap ahead of the Alto and even beats the Renault Kwid,.
- Boot Space: You get a decent 270-litre boot, which is enough for a weekend trip’s luggage.
3. The Mileage Champion
Let’s talk about the favorite Indian question: “Kitna deti hai?” The S-Presso is powered by the Next Gen K10C engine with Idle Start-Stop technology.
- Petrol: You can expect a claimed mileage of up to 25.30 km/l (AGS/AMT variants),.
- CNG: If you want to run on pocket change, the CNG variant delivers a massive 32.73 km/kg.
- Real World: Owners report getting around 19-21 km/l in mixed driving conditions, which is fantastic for a petrol car.
4. Engine & Performance: Peppy City Sprinter
The 1.0-litre engine produces around 66hp, which might sound low, but because the car is lightweight (under 800kg), it feels incredibly peppy,.
- City Zip: It loves to be revved. You can dart into traffic gaps easily. The turning radius is tiny (4.5m), making U-turns in narrow lanes effortless,.
- Highway: It can cruise at 80-100 km/h comfortably, though it isn’t built for high-speed racing.
- Automatic Option: The AGS (Auto Gear Shift) makes stop-and-go traffic stress-free, so your left leg doesn’t get tired.
5. The Real Talk: The Cons
To keep this friendly review honest, we have to look at the downsides too.
- Safety: This is the S-Presso’s weak point. It scored 1 star in Global NCAP crash tests for adult protection. It does come with dual airbags and ABS as standard now, but it is best driven carefully within city limits.
- Design: The boxy, tall-narrow stance is “love it or hate it.” Some find it cute; others think it looks odd compared to the sleek Renault Kwid,.
- Bumpy Ride: While the suspension handles potholes well, the ride can feel a bit bouncy at higher speeds or on bad roads due to its height,.
Verdict: Should You Buy It?
If you are looking for a secondary car for grocery runs, a first car for a new learner, or a strictly city commuter that sips fuel like a miser, the S-Presso is a winner. It is easy to get in and out of (great for elderly parents!), has chilling AC, and is super cheap to maintain,,.
However, if you do a lot of highway driving or safety is your #1 priority, you might want to stretch your budget for a bigger car like the Tata Tiago or Maruti Ignis.
Dhanush, an automobile expert with over 5 years of experience in the latest auto news and updates. Your go-to source for every development in the world of cars and bikes
Dhanush, an automobile expert with over 5 years of experience in the latest auto news and updates. Your go-to source for every development in the world of cars and bikes