2019 Suzuki Celerio

Overview

The Suzuki Celerio made its global debut in late 2008 in India as the A-Star, the more upmarket alternative to the entry-level kei-car-derived Alto. The first generation Celerio reached Philippine dealerships in 2009. Compared to its cheaper sibling, it was larger, safer, and had a noticeably more modern with a European-inspired body design reminiscent of the French mini cars of the decade. Up front it had large headlights and a low mounted grille while its sides had dramatically tapered rear side windows. It was a powered by a 1.0-liter K10B gasoline engine. In 2014, the all-new second generation Celerio was introduced in India; it was officially launched in the local market in August 2015.

Suzuki took the Suzuki Celerio a different direction when it developed the second generation model. The new model is larger and significantly taller than the model it replaces; styling is now more mature and more practical with a focus on passenger comfort and convenience. Up front, its face has a prominent chrome-trimmed upper grille flanked by more angular headlights. Moving on to the sides, it has a crisp character line, a straighter beltline, and larger side windows. The rear has vertical taillights and a larger rear hatch opening which extends lower into the rear bumper. An integrated high-mounted rear spoiler and standard six-spoke fourteen-inch alloy wheels give the second gen Celerio a sporty touch.

Like its exterior, the Celerio’s interior is now more grown up. Its dashboard is now a step up from the model it replaces. It’s cleaner and more integrated looking. Its tachometer now joins the speedometer in the gauge cluster. At the middle is an infotainment system with a seven-inch touch screen and standard navigation. Thanks to its 65mm longer wheelbase and higher seating position, interior space has improved particularly at the rear. The new model’s added length and width has also allowed it to have a bigger cargo area which now has a class leading volume of 254 liters, this can further be expanded buy folding the rear seatbacks down.

The second generation Suzuki Celerio still retains the small 1.0-liter K10B DOHC 12-valve inline-3 gasoline engine; it produces 67hp at 6000rpm and 90Nm of torque at 3500rpm. This motor is paired to either a five-speed manual transmission or a new continuously variable transmission which replaces its predecessor’s old four-speed automatic tranny.

It features Suzuki’s Total Effective Control Technology (TECT) architecture which uses high-tensile steel to improve body rigidity and to keep the weight down. The new Suzuki Celerio comes with an independent MacPherson strut suspension up front and a semi-independent torsion beam suspension at the rear. It comes standard with rack and pinion steering with electric power assist. It comes with ventilated front disc brakes and drum rear brakes.

When it comes to safety, the Suzuki Celerio comes with the standard set of safety equipment now expected from a modern city car. All variants come with driver and passenger SRS airbags, anti-lock braking system, seatbelts for all passengers, and reverse parking sensors.