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2023 Suzuki S-Presso AGS Review

Lightweight on the road, but a heavyweight in value. Check out how the S-Presso with its AGS transmission fares in a review.

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2023 Suzuki S-Presso AGS Review

When Suzuki Philippines introduced the S-Presso, it only came with a manual transmission. Paired with the 1.0-liter engine it had at the time it was just about enough to get it out on the road and on the highway. Prior to the review, Suzuki Philippines invited us on a drive to Bagiuo in a bid to answer the age-old question of “Will it make it?” 

The short answer to that is, yes it did. With the AGS transmission doing all the shifting and the work and the 1.0-liter offering decent performance going up inclines, it wasn’t as taxing as many people would think. 

Back in 2020, when face shields were still in vogue and the S-Presso was but a baby in automotive-industry years, it was in 2023 that a remarkable update was made to the nameplate. Now equipped with just two pedals instead of three, a more modern infotainment system than before, and some very minor tweaks to its kit, the Suzuki S-Presso AGS presents a value-oriented package with a few compromises. You get what you pay for here, and here are our thoughts as to why you might want to or not want to consider it as your next car. 

3.8 / 5
2023 Suzuki S-Presso AGS Review
Performance
Engine Output (HP), Acceleration, Transmission, Handling 3.0/5
Design
Exterior & Interior Design, Quality, Fit and Finish, Ergonomics 4.0/5
Ride Comfort
Cabin Comfort, Suspension, NVH Insulation 3.5/5
Safety and Technology
Convenience Technologies, Active and Passive Safety Features 4.0/5
Value for Money
Amount of the vehicle you get for the price, Fuel Efficiency 4.5/5
What You Will Like
  • Priced really affordably
  • Apple CarPlay and Android Auto is standard
  • Fantastic fuel economy
What You Won't Like
  • "Shifty" AGS transmission
  • Engine performance leaves something to be desired
  • Rudimentary build quality
How We Do Our Reviews

The price of the Suzuki S-Presso AGS is set at P660,000. The car is in a price bracket that it seemingly unheard of in today’s market. Being so cheap and affordable, it sets the bar quite low in terms of our expectations. When we reviewed this car, we thought that it could be a compromised experience. Then we remembered the first time we experienced the S-Presso back in 2020.

As a car that is aimed at first-time or budget-oriented buyers, it’s not that bad all things considered. Nowadays, cars that cost under P700,000 that are fully-featured and with ample ground clearance are hard to come by, but what gives at this low of a price point? 

2023 Suzuki S-Presso AGS Front
2023 Suzuki S-Presso AGS Rear Quarter
2023 Suzuki S-Presso AGS Side

The design of the S-Presso is more quirky than cool, though some may argue differently. To us, it’s a small car with a small engine and a small price tag. The 2023 year model of the S-Presso is still the same. The wheels are now alloy, 14-inches, and standard for the top-of-the-line model. 

2023 Suzuki S-Presso AGS
2023 Suzuki S-Presso AGS
2023 Suzuki S-Presso AGS

Quirky and endearing, it’s charming enough to make us glance back at it when it passes by. We do recommend that you get this car in a bright color to highlight its quirky exterior, but don’t let our take to keep you away from a white or grey color. 

2023 Suzuki S-Presso AGS Rear
2023 Suzuki S-Presso AGS Drive
2023 Suzuki S-Presso AGS Side

In the city 

One of the things that we feel is a bit telling of its price tag is its drive. The suspension is basic, and the engine is small, but at least you only need to use two pedals. Even then, the AGS transmission from Suzuki wasn’t as smooth as what we’re used to with traditional torque converters and CVTs. In fact, it’s a bit of a weird transmission to use given that it can hiccup from time to time. 

2023 Suzuki S-Presso AGS Highway

On the highway 

Not a lot of horses are under the hood of this thing. With an output of 67 hp and just 90 Nm of torque, don’t expect to win any drag races with the S-Presso against other small hatchbacks. Coupled with the AGS, the 1.0-liter gasoline engine gets the job done most of the time, but if you ask anything more than to putter around town, then the engine almost immediately starts to feel taxed. To alleviate some of the stumbling, we shifted the transmission away from “drive” and put it in manual mode. With that and because we were able to control the gear changes ourselves, the experience was a lot smoother. 

However, a saving grace of the AGS transmission is that it is geared well and enough for city driving. Out on the highway, however, it was just okay. While the car was able to get up to the speed limit of the expressway, it had a hard time overtaking, requiring a substantial run-up in order to overtake a truck or perhaps a car, at least considering what we’re used to. However, the saying still rings true, it’s more fun to drive a slow car fast than it is to drive a fast car slow. It’s a charming quip, but given that the car feels like it is going perhaps about 30 km/h faster than it actually is, it’s “exciting,” but not exactly reassuring. 

2023 Suzuki S-Presso AGS Rear Quarter

In the bends 

Now, as for the driving dynamics and comfort of the S-Presso, we weren’t expecting a lot, but being a light car, it felt okay in the twisties. The chassis and suspension combo was evidently made to get around at a decent pace. You’re barking up the wrong tree here if you are expecting it to handle well. It is exciting in a way, but there are better cars out there that allow for more confidence, power, and presence. Given its price, however, we really cannot complain. 

2023 Suzuki S-Presso AGS rear seats

In the rear 

It’s the same interior as before with all the surprising amounts of space in tow. The S-Presso is rather practical given its small size. Larger individuals sit quite comfortably in the rear but legroom is a little bit on the tighter side of things. However, the fact that the front seats are sat taller above the floor allows for just enough foot room so the passengers at the back don’t feel as cramped. The front of the S-Presso features a familiar dashboard finished in plastic and set rather tall. You get a slightly more commanding view of the road here, but not by a lot. It is still a small hatchback, but at least you’re getting a bit of that crossover tallness that many people are on the lookout for right now. 

2023 Suzuki S-Presso AGS Front Seats

At the front 

However, you will see where corners were cut here as the steering wheel doesn’t adjust up, down, or forward and back. It’s a fixed steering wheel and the fact that the driver’s seat only adjusts forward and back is a definite con in our book because you will be adjusting to the car instead of the other way around. 

2023 Suzuki S-Presso AGS Rear Cargo Space

Cargo Space 

Another practical element of the S-Presso to consider is boot space. The rear cargo area is rather generous in the small hatchback segment. At 240 liters, it doesn’t sound like a lot, but there is enough height and floor to accommodate up to 60 bags of chicharon. With the rear seats folded down (not flat), we were able to fit up to two balikbayan boxes side-by-side. The balikbayan box test was more of a testament to the space in the rear seats than the cargo area, but nonetheless, it was surprising—dare we say impressive for such a small car. 

2023 Suzuki S-Presso AGS Dashboard
2023 Suzuki S-Presso AGS Steering Wheel
2023 Suzuki S-Presso AGS Steering Wheel Audio Controls

Interior quality

In terms of interior fit and finish, the S-Presso leaves something to be desired, but given the price, we’re more understanding. Forgive us for being spoiled, but for P660,000, it’s acceptable. Plastics are everywhere, and there is not a lot of it. To maximize the space, a few things are shrunk and compacted, resulting in a cabin that feels more open than a cocoon. Suzuki shaved the door cards to allow for more side-to-side space, relocating the power window switches to the center. The door cars are very slim, and all of the controls are localized down the center of the car, including the gauge cluster. Functional they are, but with no tachometer and with the center-mounted position, it’s very indicative of the price. 

2023 Suzuki S-Presso AGS Center Console

Tech 

However, while the rest of the interior didn’t give us a good sense of value, the infotainment system did thanks to Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Other manufacturers, listen up, as the bar has been set incredibly low for Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Suzuki’s system might not be the most glamorous, the largest, or the clearest, but we are very content to see the two smartphone pairing features at this price. Other than that, however, the sound system is pretty middling, tinny, and just okay. The screen doesn’t get too bright, and it’s not too clear, but you can definitely use the pairing functions and it’s within the realm of acceptable usability. This is the most affordable way to get Android Auto or Apple CarPlay at the time of this review, but the other features are pretty basic. 

2023 Suzuki S-Presso AGS ISOFIX

Safety

Safety systems and other driving features in the S-Presso are also quite basic. ABS is available, a pair of airbags are included, and three-point seatbelts are available for all occupants save for the passenger in the center, he or she gets a lap belt only unfortunately. Another interesting feature was the auto-start-stop system which is a bid to save fuel. It’s a basic system and does take a split second more than more expensive cars to start the engine back up, but it’s a nice value add. Unfortunately, Caco doesn’t like the feature, so he turned it off. One thing we did appreciate about the S-Presso was the ultrasonic parking sensors. Backing up without a reverse camera is fine given the size of the S-Presso, but the rear sensors made parking way easier. Still, given the price, a reverse camera was probably a bit too much to ask at this point. Though, ISOFIX anchor points are standard, so that's good to see considering that small families could pick up this model. 

2023 Suzuki S-Presso AGS gear selector
2023 Suzuki S-Presso AGS engine
2023 Suzuki S-Presso AGS Fuel

Combined figures with highway, city, and mountain inclines, we were able to get 14 km/L in the S-Presso. Now, what we didn’t mention in the video was the fact that we were able to get up to 20 km/L in the city with a light foot. However, once traffic hit us, we were able to hit closer to about 17 km/L in moderate situations, and as low as 13 km/L in very heavy city traffic. 

All things considered, the fact that we were able to go up mountains, track long highways, and hit traffic in the city with a figure of just 14 km/L is mighty impressive given that we had cargo and at least two people in the S-Presso. 

2023 Suzuki S-Presso AGS

The price really puts things into perspective for us, and the S-Presso is one of the most affordable cars out there with an automatic transmission, Android Auto, and Apple CarPlay, a good amount of space, and fuel economy that will shock you. 

While the S-Presso wouldn’t be our first pick when it comes to a brand-new car, and while we would much rather up our budgets and buy a better car the Suzuki S-Presso still has some merit to it that could make it a potentially good buy. If there is one other thing that we like the S-Presso for aside from its unique looks, it's the fact that it raises the bar in terms of standard features found at entry-level price points. 

Specifications

Engine

1.0 L

Fuel Type

Gasoline

Performance

66 hp @ 5,500 rpm

Transmission

Automatic

Summary

Name Suzuki S-Presso GL AGS
Body Type Hatchback
Price ₱674,000
Transmission Category Automatic

Engine

Performance

Economy & Environment

Dimensions

Safety & Security

Features

Technology

Colors

Suzuki S-Presso White White
Suzuki S-Presso Sizzling Orange Sizzling Orange
Suzuki S-Presso Granite Gray Metallic Granite Gray Metallic
Suzuki S-Presso Fire Red Fire Red

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