What makes the all-new Suzuki Celerio a perfect city car?

The all-new Suzuki Celerio is poised to make an impact in the subcompact hatchback segment in the Philippines. With its new platform, revised styling, enhanced engine, and other incremental improvements, the Celerio might have what it takes to be a perfect city car for our roads. Here's why we think it's just that.

At a time when fuel prices are reaching ridiculous highs, fuel efficiency has never been more crucial for Filipino car buyers. Suzuki knows that, and it's perhaps why it's pushing the Celerio hard in the local market.

Some may know that the new Celerio rides on the HEARTECT platform that also underpins the Swift and Dzire. This architecture is lighter and more rigid than ever, providing the Celerio with improved handling and fuel consumption. Coupled with a shiny new 1.0-liter DUALJET K10C engine, the Celerio now achieves up to 28.25 km/L. This figure makes it the most fuel-efficient vehicle in its class. That's impressive, but not all she wrote, as Suzuki also claims the Celerio is the most economical gas-powered vehicle in the entire country. 

How does it perform in the real world? Don't expect mileage in the high twenties unless you're really pushing to save on fuel. Still, the Celerio should still return better than stellar figures in city driving conditions.

The all-new Celerio might be a bit pricier than some of its competitors, but Suzuki Philippines says that's because it's packed with a host of attractive tech features.

For starters, Suzuki has replaced the CVT option with an Auto Gear Shift (AGS) transmission. The gearbox is essentially a manual but with an Intelligent Shift Actuator that operates the shift and clutch. It provides the driver with the control of a true manual and the convenience of an automatic. Of course, a five-speed manual transmission remains an option for this iteration of the Celerio.

On top of that, the Celerio also features an Engine Auto Stop-Start System (EASS), which automatically stops the engine in traffic to save on fuel and limit engine noise and exhaust emissions. 

The features don't stop there. Inside the Celerio is a new 6.2-inch touchscreen infotainment system. While there's no Apple CarPlay or Android Auto, it does support Bluetooth and Weblink 2.0. There are also audio controls on the steering wheel for added convenience.

For safety, the Celerio comes with ABS with EBD, brake assist, hill hold control, and a rear parking sensor. It’s everything you need to stay safe in the city.

No city car is perfect unless it's a practical choice. On the Celerio, practicality means lots of space. Front and rear legroom has improved over the previous generation, and 60/40 rear folding seats provide maximum storage options. Speaking of storage, the rear cargo space on the Celerio is 295 liters or a full 60 liters more than the old model.

The Celerio's cabin is also peppered with compartments for personal items, including a spacious glove box, a front console tray with a drink holder, and door pockets with drink holders for the front and rear.

While this hatchback may be small in size, it certainly lives big by making the most out of its subcompact form. A frugal yet capable engine, a smattering of tech, and a range of practicality points make the all-new Suzuki Celerio a perfect city car for the Philippine market.