Winter season is the perfect setting for one to enjoy their espresso especially when outdoors. However, in this case and point being that the S-Presso that I am referring to is Maruti’s micro SUV. This a micro SUV? Yes, for some strange enough reason the automaker has gone gung- ho about its SUV-ish stance and features. So, where does the Maruti S-Presso really stand out
is what we are here to find out.
Exterior Design
We said Micro SUV, considering the time spent with the vehicle, I am convinced that Maruti S- Presso has a disguise of its own. Basically, it is a beefed-up hatchback which is made to look like an SUV, and which in my mind was very much clear however when referred to on-lookers it had them all confused. Some of them agreed with the design saying that it is an SUV from
upfront but then moving over to the sides had them baffled that how come Maruti could do such a thing? A small car like appearance with an upkept tailgate, to explain this notion further let us dwell right in. Maruti S-Presso head-on has quite a few striking features like a sleek chrome highlighted front grille, twin-chamber headlamps and a dual-tone muscular bumper with LED
lights. In comparison to the front fascia, the side profile is more subtle as it provides squarish wheel arches with 14-inch wheels (for the higher variants), black plastic cladding on either side and a ground clearance of 180mm which make it rather appealing. Though towards the rear, the story is very different. Its flat tailgate comprises of C-shaped taillights, reflector inserts on either
side and a dual-tone bumper. From a sheer design perspective, the Maruti S-Presso is quite intriguing and does manage to attract a lot of attention. Though for me personally, it did seem a bit absurd at first but with time, the vehicle did manage to grow on me.
Interior Design
Off late, Maruti has been coming up with some interesting interiors and the S-Presso is a perfect example of that. Unlike other Maruti cars, with special reference to Alto and Celerio, the S- Presso has a center-mounted circular console to give the interiors a funky look. In fact, when I first saw the dashboard layout, it reminded me of the iconic Mini Cooper. The Mini has been
symbolic to the circular console and that is why this comparison. That said, the console in question houses an instrument cluster right at the top below which sits the infotainment system.
A part of the same panel is the presence of power window switches for both the driver and co- passenger. Its all-black cabin looks and feels much better than what we have been seeing in the past from Maruti. The use of orange inserts found on the center console and A/C vents on either side further help in pushing up its appeal. Good fit and finish of plastics is also a talking point out here. A three-spoke steering wheel with mounted controls comes in really handy with the switches providing great touch and feel to it. Talking about driving, what we really liked about the S-Presso was its high driving position that provides a great view of the road up front and all around. The fabric seats come well-cushioned and offer ample comfort both during short and
long commutes. Seated either in the front or towards the rear, there is a decent amount of head, shoulder, and legroom.
Coming to the infotainment system, the 17.78 cm touchscreen unit present inside the cabin feels very responsive while in use. Some of its key highlights include compatibility with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Bluetooth connectivity, USB port, Aux-in and 2 speakers which ensure that at no-point you feel like the interior is inferior to what is being offered. In addition to these, the presence of a Navigation System helps in locating your next destination. For storing knick-knacks, there is a decent size glove-box, 1-litre bottle holders placed in front door pockets, and front & rear utility spaces. As for safety, Maruti S-Presso comes equipped with dual front airbags, ABS with EBD, reverse parking sensors, speed alert system, pedestrian protection among many others. Overall, the cabin is a pretty nice place to be in.
Performance
Now moving on to the most exciting part, how does the S-Presso perform on the road. Maruti S- Presso features a BS6 compliant K10B petrol engine under the hood. While driving this 998cc motor, it felt refined and offered a linear acceleration. Looking at numbers, the engine delivers a maximum power output of 67 bhp with 90 Nm of peak torque. It comes mated to a 5-speed
manual transmission that enables smooth gearshifts.
Though we would have preferred the brakes to have a bit more of bite considering that there are ventilated discs up front and drum towards the rear. Considering the condition of Indian roads, the S-Presso is up for the task as it soaks in the potholes and broken roads with utter ease and nonchalance. This is possible only due to the suspension setup that comprises of MacPherson Strut with Coil Spring in the front while the rear caters to Torsion Beam with Coil Spring. In the handling department, the car does
pretty alright given its size and weight. The light steering feel ensures that the driver does not face much fatigue, especially during peak traffic time. All-in-all, the Maruti S-Presso is a peppy little thing that maneuvers itself quite swiftly to your next destination.
