S-Presso

Maruti SPresso Strengths & Weaknesses

Maruti SPresso Launch 

Maruti Suzuki launched the SPresso on September 30, 2019.

Maruti SPresso Price Range

Maruti SPresso prices range from Rs. 3.69 lakh to Rs. 4.91 lakh (ex-showroom, Delhi).

Maruti SPresso Engine and Transmission

The SPresso has a 1.0-litre 3-cylinder BS6 petrol engine. This engine makes 68PS of power at 5500RPM and 91Nm of torque at 3500RPM.

The car is available with a 5-speed manual transmission in all four variants. The VXI and VXI Plus variants are also available with a 5-speed AMT automatic transmission. There are also additional optional safety features available on the lower 3 variants. It includes a passenger-side airbag and front seatbelt pre-tensioners and force limiters. These are standard on the top variant.

Maruti SPresso Features - Hits

The biggest draw in favour of the SPresso has to be its design. From a distance, it looks like it belongs to the Brezza’s family. From a practicality standpoint, its spacious interiors and high ground clearance are also hard to ignore.

Once inside, you’ll notice the neatly-layed out dash and a 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system. The steering wheel feels like it belongs in a car from a segment above and the steering-mounted controls also come in handy.

The inclusion of AMT automatic makes it a good option to consider if you need a car for city driving.

Thanks to the stiffer safety norms in place, you get safety features in all variants of the car like rear parking sensors, ABS and driver airbag. Features, we’d not have called ‘basic’ even in 2018.

Maruti SPresso Features - Misses

The daytime running lights significantly improve the style. But they are only available as an accessory - that too at an exorbitant price of Rs. 10,000.

The SPresso should’ve had the rear power windows but it doesn’t. Not even as an accessory. A rear-seat armrest would be stretching the wishlist too far, but the Renault Kwid gets it in the Climber variant. So, why not?

Who should buy the Maruti SPresso?

In the entry-level hatchback space, the Alto 800 and Alto K10 remain strong options. But for a marginal increase in price over the Alto K10, you can get significantly better space, features, styling and ground clearance, which makes it worth considering if it’s going to be your first car if your budget allows.

If you like the high seating position and ground clearance of an SUV but don’t like the large dimensions that come with a larger car, then you can consider the SPresso as a second car in the garage for shorter trips. Its compact dimensions will make it easy to drive and park in the city traffic. Its entry-level price point means that it won’t hurt (emotionally and financially) even if you get a few scratches on the car.

First-time car buyers and those considering adding a second car to their garage for city driving should both take the SPresso seriously when making the decision.

Maruti SPresso Background

Maruti has remained unchallenged in the entry-level hatchback segment. The Hyundai Eon went as far as becoming a distant second while the Alto (800 and K10) stayed on the top spot.

There is a drastic increase in the demand for SUVs and crossovers (or anything that looks like it). The Renault Kwid addresses these demands at a price point comparable with the Alto twins. Renault Kwid was the first car that made the Alto uncomfortable and buyers bought it in good numbers; crossing 10000 units in a month on multiple occasions.

Maruti needed a challenger to compete in this newly-created entry-level micro-SUV sub-segment. So, the carmaker first showcased the Future-S concept at the 2018 Auto Expo. About a year and a half later, that car went on sale as the S-Presso.

Maruti may be late to the game of micro-SUVs but they do their homework well. The Brezza was also quite late in the sub-4m SUVs but it still became the bestseller. We expect the SPresso to be no different. Maruti’s wide sale and service network make them the only logical brand worth considering for a lot of buyers.

Maruti SPresso Competition

If you’re buying the SPresso, then you can also consider the Renault Kwid and Datsun Redi-Go, both of which offer high ground clearance and tall bodies for a micro-SUV/crossover appearance.

If you’re on a tight budget, you can also consider other entry-level cars like the Alto 800 and Alto K10.