A Double Shot Of Strength And Flavour – The Suzuki S-Presso
This is the Suzuki S-Presso, and like its name suggests, it captures the very essence of the well-loved SUV, all wrapped up into a compact and affordable package that should do tremendously well in South Africa. The S-Presso joins Suzuki’s compact duo of the Suzuki Jimny and the Suzuki Ignis.
“We are very excited to introduce the new Suzuki S-Presso in South Africa. It combines many of our most advanced technologies, such as our HEARTECT platform, with our compact SUV expertise to offer a compact, but roomy and well-specified new urban SUV that is truly within everyone’s reach,” says André Venter, divisional manager for sales and marketing at SuzukiAuto South Africa.
As compact as it is, the S-Presso doesn’t compromise in design or interior space. SUV cues like raised seating, high ground clearance and bold styling are evident on the S-Presso. The front-end features a prominent trapezoid that sits above a rugged black bumper. The S-Presso’s signature design cue is the bold four-slot grille that extends between the halogen headlights. The wheel arches feature a slightly boxy shape emphasising the 14-inch steel wheels, which are standard across the range, working together with the 180mm ground clearance to create the visual impression of a high-riding SUV.
The top-of-the-range model is called the S-Edition and features a more premium design than the regular model. This model features silver highlights in the four-slot grille, silver front and rear skid plates and bold side cladding over the wheel arches and on the lower sections of the doors. The protective side cladding on the doors is further emphasised by a large silver panel insert, which visually connects the front and rear silver skid plates.
Safety is top-priority on the S-Presso with two airbags, ABS, EBD and reverse parking sensors as standard across the range. The GL+ and S-Edition models add a reverse camera to the reverse parking system.
All versions of the S-Presso feature electric windows for the front occupants, air conditioning, power steering and a multi-information display, which includes information such as distance to empty, trip duration and distance travelled. On the GL+ and S-Design model, Suzuki has bumped up the specification with its touchscreen infotainment system with built-in Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, USB, Aux and Bluetooth connectivity.
There is only one engine available across the S-Presso range and it’s the 1.0-litre 3-cylinder powerplant from the Suzuki Celerio. This engine produces a maximum of 50kW of power and 90Nm of torque, sent to the front wheels through either a 5-speed manual gearbox or a 5-speed automated manual transmission.
Suzuki Auto will offer all versions of the Suzuki S-Presso together with a 2-year / 30 000km service plan and 5-year / 200 000km mechanical warranty. Suzuki has also included a year of complementary insurance in the starting price of R134,900.
Also worth a look: the Suzuki Swift and the Suzuki Starts 2025 with Record-Breaking Sales in South Afric.
FAQ
Q: What does the Suzuki S-Presso cost in South Africa?
The Suzuki S-Presso starts from around R199,900 for the base GL model, while the top-spec S-Edition will set you back approximately R229,900, making it one of the most affordable compact SUVs you can buy in SA.
Q: Is the Suzuki S-Presso worth buying?
Absolutely, if you want SUV styling and ground clearance without breaking the bank, the S-Presso delivers proper value with its 180mm ground clearance, decent interior space, and comprehensive safety kit all for under R230,000.
Q: How much power does the Suzuki S-Presso have?
The S-Presso packs a 1.0-litre three-cylinder petrol engine that produces 50kW of power and 89Nm of torque, which is perfectly adequate for city driving and the occasional weekend getaway.
Q: What are the main competitors to the Suzuki S-Presso in South Africa?
The S-Presso goes head-to-head with the Renault Kwid, Datsun Go Cross, and even its own stablemate the Suzuki Ignis, but it undercuts most rivals on price while offering better ground clearance.
Q: Does the Suzuki S-Presso have good fuel consumption?
Yes, the S-Presso sips fuel at a claimed 4.9 litres per 100km, which means you'll spend less time at the petrol station and more time enjoying the open road.
Should You Buy It?
The best entry-level compact SUV under R230,000 in SA is definitely the Suzuki S-Presso S-Edition. At R229,900, you're getting genuine SUV capability with 180mm ground clearance, a spacious cabin that punches above its weight class, and Suzuki's legendary reliability all wrapped up in a package that won't leave your wallet crying. The 1.0-litre engine's 50kW might not win any drag races, but it'll get you everywhere you need to go while returning an impressive 4.9L/100km. Sure, the interior plastics aren't premium and the engine can get a bit vocal under load, but for first-time buyers or anyone wanting maximum bang for their buck, the S-Presso delivers exactly what it promises. Buy the S-Edition if you can stretch the budget, as the extra styling touches and equipment make it worth the additional R30,000 over the base model.
