Once I took the keys to the S-Presso round 15 months in the past, I considered it as a little bit of a downgrade from my earlier long-termer, the Hyundai Santro; and in some methods it’s. It’s a bit smaller, but in addition cheaper, than the Santro. Nevertheless, after spending time with it, I’m left impressed.
Proper from day one, its compact dimensions proved to be a giant boon. The automotive was my every day trip to workplace and again, which is a 24km spherical journey passing via a few of Mumbai’s busiest and narrowest streets, and driving the S-Presso via all this was a breeze. Its tight 3.56m turning radius was fairly a boon in these circumstances.
Additionally, with the S-Presso’s small footprint (it’s even shorter than the Renault Kwid), you may slot into some fairly tight parking spots; the thick C pillar does play spoilsport, although. Whereas the S-Presso comes normal with rear parking sensors, it doesn’t get a digicam, rear wash-wipe or a defogger, so it’s a must to be very conscious of your environment.
Ahead visibility is sweet, because the windscreen is flat and huge, the A pillars are skinny, and the seating is excessive, providing you with a commanding view of the highway. Additionally, its flat bonnet helps in judging tight turns simply.
Gradual Infotainment: Infotainment system is function loaded however a bit gradual.
Its sub-compact dimensions imply that the cabin is sort of slim and is match just for 4 adults. I appreciated the all-black inside and the Mini-like centre-mounted speedometer and infotainment display that provides the automotive a contemporary really feel. The latter shocked my dad and mom, who didn’t count on one thing this premium-looking in just a little hatch. The high-set entrance seats are a giant assist for my aged dad and mom, who can simply slide into it with out a lot of a trouble.
Aged drivers just like the S-Presso’s excessive seating place and light-weight steering.
In its previous couple of months with us, the S-Presso placed on only a few kilometres, because of the lockdown-imposed journey restrictions and Autocar India’s new work-from-home schedule. As this working association grew to become the ‘new regular’ for me, the S-Presso sat idle on most weekdays, apart from the occasional post-work grocery run or brief journeys for family errands.
Nevertheless, whereas my weekday driving was subsequent to none, every weekend, the automotive would do round 50-75km; I used to be a part of a bunch of volunteers offering free clear ingesting water to COVID-19 frontline employees and sufferers. The S-Presso grew to become my companion in serving town of Mumbai through the pandemic, as we acquired requests for clear ingesting water from varied components of town.
Blind Spot: Broad blind spot on C pillar makes reversing difficult.
And whereas we acquired reward for our work, my journey companion – the S-Presso – too acquired its justifiable share of consideration. Its squarish and tall SUV-like seems and even the intense blue shade could also be polarising, but it surely actually does flip heads. Even in the direction of the top of its stint – over a 12 months since its launch – I saved receiving fairly just a few queries concerning the automotive from different motorists.
Experience High quality: Beneficiant suspension journey absorbs most bumps and potholes.
The S-Presso’s 67hp 1.0-litre engine is as peppy as ever and, coupled with the 5-speed handbook gearbox, it’s a breeze to drive within the metropolis. I had various enjoyable driving it round because the visitors was a lot much less because of the lockdown, and since extra individuals are actually working from dwelling. I do discover the steering obscure, although, and it wants too many turns, lock to lock. Nevertheless, on the entire, the automotive has been very dependable, and the one situation we confronted was a malfunctioning Bluetooth microphone.
Peppy Engine: 67hp greater than satisfactory for metropolis use.
So, to sum it up, the S-Presso actually made for an ideal metropolis automotive and an ideal one, too, to have through the lockdown. The peppy engine and tight dimensions make it a breeze within the metropolis and it’s additionally adequately outfitted. Now that it’s going again, I’ll really miss it. Revisiting my earlier stance on it being a step down from my earlier automotive, I positively don’t suppose that anymore.
Additionally see:
Maruti Suzuki S-Presso long run overview, second report
Maruti Suzuki S-Presso long run overview, first report