Since the first chapter in the story of our time with our long-term Suzuki Celerio, we’ve reported on how the Japanese firm’s city hatchback fared in town (Chapter 4), as a road-trip companion on a long-distance journey (Chapter 2) and, when my girlfriend and I moved into a new apartment, how spacious it was when tasked to perform the duties of a (mini) moving vehicle (Chapter 3). In the penultimate chapter — Chapter 5 — we take a closer look at the interior and the standard features on offer…
Suzuki Auto South Africa bills the Celerio as a small car with big value. The local arm of the Hamamatsu-based brand isn’t wrong. Considering its price, our top-spec test unit is loaded with features.
Priced at 204 900, around R5 000 more than when we were handed the keys, the Celerio GL is equipped with a multifunction steering wheel, a 7.0-inch touch-enabled infotainment set-up, replete with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto screen mirroring (activated via plugging your smartphone in to the USB port below the manual air-conditioning system’s controls), a two-speaker audio system (I would have liked an additional two), a digital rev counter (sited next to the legible and pleasingly analogue speedometer), and park distance sensors (on the GL, graphics indicating how far you are from the vehicle behind you are displayed on the central screen). Considering the Celerio’s dimunitive dimensions, the latter feature didn’t seem really necessary at first. However, considering the tight parking spaces in Cape Town, it proved a welcome addition to the package.
In addition, there’s electric windows all around. The side mirrors are also electrically operated.
Like most pocket-friendly vehicles, the cabin is trimmed with hard plastics. However, over the near 2 000 km (of the 9 100 km already on the “clock”) I’ve been behind the wheel, no creaks or rattles were present. The interior felt solidly constructed.
The fore and aft seats are upholstered in cloth (a trim I prefer to leather). En route to the buzzing (over the December holidays, at least) coastal town of Hartenbos, the driver’s pew provided sufficient support for my backside and back. Thanks to the Celerio’s boxy shape, fore and aft headroom were adequate for my 1.7-metre-tall frame. And, when seated on the 60:40-split rear bench, which is equipped with Isofix, the legroom was sufficient. The luggage and utility capacity were ample for several shopping bags, a couple of suitcases and, as mentioned, capacious enough for moving larger items when we relocated to a new apartment.
Speaking of child-seat anchorages, other safety features include a driver and front passenger airbag. The Celerio is also equipped ABS and EBA, and an electronic stability programme (ESP) — a big-ticket item seldom found on budget cars — which is standard across the range. In fact, all of Suzuki’s entry-level vehicles, such as the S-Presso, feature ESP.
However, there’s a couple of items I would have liked fitted to “The Celeers” (as my girlfriend and I endearingly dubbed it) — a flap for the sun-visor mirror (I’m nit-picking, I know) and, more importantly, doors that automatically lock when you set off. Brighter headlamps for improved night-time visibility would also be welcome.
- Chapter 5/6
- Distance covered: 1 913 km
- Fuel consumption: 5.6 L/100 km
