The morning sun casts long shadows across the dusty outskirts of Jaipur as I navigate the 2025 Maruti S-Presso through a series of tight village lanes. Children wave excitedly – this distinctive little car still turns heads five years after its initial introduction, though this thoroughly revamped version represents a significant evolution of the original concept. After spending a week with Maruti’s latest interpretation of the micro-SUV, I’ve developed a newfound appreciation for how the company has matured this controversial design into something genuinely compelling.
When the original S-Presso launched in 2019, critics were divided on its boxy aesthetics and tall-boy proportions. Some dismissed it as awkward, while others appreciated its honest utilitarian approach. The 2025 model demonstrates how thoughtful refinement can transform perception – this isn’t just a facelift but a comprehensive rethinking that addresses earlier criticisms while building on inherent strengths.
Design Evolution: From Quirky to Confident
“We listened carefully to both the praise and the criticism,” explains Kenichi Ayukawa, Managing Director of Maruti Suzuki India, during the press briefing at the company’s Gurugram headquarters. “The original S-Presso had character but needed refinement. Our design team accepted this challenge with enthusiasm.”
The results speak for themselves. While unmistakably an S-Presso, the 2025 model features more harmonious proportions. The front fascia has been completely redesigned, replacing the somewhat cartoonish circular headlamp housing with a more sophisticated hexagonal LED lighting arrangement that improves both aesthetics and nighttime visibility. The bumpers front and rear have been resculpted with more defined character lines that reduce the visual height, making the vehicle appear more planted despite maintaining its ground clearance.
Perhaps most significantly, the greenhouse has been subtly reshaped, with a slight forward rake to the C-pillar that gives the impression of motion even when stationary. Combined with the newly available two-tone roof options (the Autumn Orange with Black roof of my test vehicle drew particular attention), these changes transform the S-Presso from utilitarian oddity to charming urban companion.
The dimensions have grown marginally – 3,585mm in length (up by 20mm), 1,520mm in width (unchanged), and 1,560mm in height (down by 5mm) – but these small adjustments have outsized impact on proportions. The wheelbase remains unchanged at 2,380mm, preserving the car’s tight turning radius that proves invaluable in congested urban environments.
Interior: Thoughtful Upgrades Where They Matter Most
Stepping inside reveals where Maruti has invested significantly in improvement. The dashboard design maintains its distinctive center-mounted digital instrument cluster, now enhanced with a 7-inch color display offering multiple information screens. The earlier criticism of cheap plastics has been addressed with new soft-touch materials on frequently contacted surfaces and more convincing textured finishes elsewhere.
The centerpiece is the new 9-inch floating touchscreen infotainment system, now standard across all but the base variant. Running Maruti’s SmartPlay Pro+ interface, it offers wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, connected car features through Suzuki Connect, and OTA (over-the-air) update capability. The screen’s positioning high on the dashboard keeps it in the driver’s line of sight without obstruction, while physical controls for climate functions remain – a thoughtful nod to usability while driving.
Space utilization continues to impress given the compact external dimensions. Four adults can travel in reasonable comfort, though the rear remains best suited for shorter journeys with taller passengers. The front seats have been completely redesigned with more supportive bolstering and improved cushioning that proved comfortable even during a 200km highway stretch. Wind and road noise – a weakness in the original model – have been noticeably reduced through additional sound insulation and improved door seals.
Practical touches abound: the glovebox now includes a cooling function, phone holders accommodate larger devices, and rear passengers get dedicated USB-C charging ports. Cargo capacity has increased marginally to 275 liters, expanding to 690 liters with the rear seats folded – sufficient for a couple’s weekend luggage or a surprising amount of shopping.
Performance and Dynamics: Unexpected Enjoyment
The most significant mechanical upgrade lies beneath the hood, where the familiar 1.0-liter K10C engine has been thoroughly revised to meet BS7 emission standards while improving both power and efficiency. Now producing 72 bhp (up from 67) and 96 Nm of torque (a 6 Nm increase), these modest improvements translate to meaningful real-world benefits, particularly in mid-range acceleration.
Maruti offers three transmission options: a 5-speed manual, an improved 5-speed AMT (Automated Manual Transmission), and – new for 2025 – a proper CVT automatic that transforms the urban driving experience. My test vehicle featured the CVT, which provided smooth progress through Jaipur’s stop-start traffic while maintaining reasonable efficiency of 19.8 km/l during my mixed-use testing.
The S-Presso has always emphasized efficiency, and the 2025 model extends this reputation with claimed figures of 24.5 km/l for the manual, 23.1 km/l for the AMT, and 22.0 km/l for the CVT under standardized testing conditions. Real-world figures will naturally vary, but even in aggressive driving, I never saw the trip computer display drop below 17 km/l – impressive considering the vehicle’s tall stance and non-aerodynamic shape.
Perhaps the most surprising aspect of the 2025 S-Presso is its improved road manners. The suspension has been comprehensively retuned with revised spring rates, new damper valving, and the addition of a rear stabilizer bar on higher trims. These changes transform the handling character, reducing body roll during cornering while simultaneously improving ride quality over broken surfaces – a challenging balance to achieve.
The electric power steering has also been recalibrated, now offering more weight and feedback as speeds increase. While no one would mistake the S-Presso for a sporty hatchback, it now inspires significantly more confidence during highway driving and emergency maneuvers. Ground clearance of 180mm remains unchanged, providing reassurance when encountering unexpected obstacles or navigating the occasionally dramatic speed breakers that punctuate Indian roads.
Safety: No Longer an Afterthought
Safety has become a focal point for Maruti Suzuki in recent years, and the 2025 S-Presso demonstrates this commitment. Built on the latest iteration of Suzuki’s HEARTECT platform, the body structure incorporates higher-strength steel in key areas while redesigned crumple zones better manage impact energy.
All variants now come standard with six airbags, ABS with EBD, electronic stability control, hill hold assist, and rear parking sensors – features previously reserved for top-end models or not available at all. The top two variants add a reversing camera with dynamic guidelines, ISOFIX child seat anchors, and tire pressure monitoring.
Driver assistance features make their debut on the S-Presso with the introduction of what Maruti calls “Safety Shield,” a camera-based system offering lane departure warning, forward collision alert, and traffic sign recognition. While not as sophisticated as systems found in premium vehicles, these features provide valuable additional safeguards, particularly for less experienced drivers or during long highway journeys.
These improvements address criticism of earlier Maruti models for prioritizing cost over safety, with the company now targeting a 5-star Global NCAP rating – a significant evolution from the original S-Presso’s concerning performance in crash tests.
Technology Integration: Connected and Convenient
Alongside safety improvements, technological integration represents another area of significant advancement. The aforementioned SmartPlay Pro+ system serves as the hub for connectivity features that were science fiction in this segment just a few years ago.
The Suzuki Connect app allows remote monitoring of vehicle location, fuel level, and service intervals, while enabling remote operation of climate control (on CVT models), door locks, and hazard lights. Geofencing capability allows owners to receive alerts if the vehicle moves outside predetermined boundaries – particularly valuable for those who employ drivers or have younger family members using the car.
Voice control functionality has been implemented through partnerships with Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant, allowing natural language commands for navigation, music selection, and information queries. During testing, the system proved reasonably responsive, though ambient noise occasionally required command repetition.
Over-the-air update capability ensures the infotainment system remains current throughout the vehicle’s life, while a new digital owner’s manual accessed through the touchscreen includes instructional videos for various vehicle functions – a thoughtful touch for first-time car buyers who make up a significant portion of S-Presso customers.
Environmental Considerations: Balancing Affordability and Sustainability
Environmental consciousness plays an increasingly important role in automotive development, and the 2025 S-Presso addresses this through several approaches. The improved K10C engine doesn’t just meet current emission standards but is designed to accommodate the expected BS7 regulations, incorporating more efficient catalytic converters and particulate filters.
A mild hybrid system is now offered on higher trim levels, adding a small lithium-ion battery and integrated starter generator that provides torque assistance during acceleration while enabling smoother and more frequent engine stop-start operation. During my testing in Jaipur traffic, the system operated seamlessly, contributing to improved urban efficiency.
Material selection shows similar consideration, with increased use of recycled plastics in non-visible components and water-based paints that reduce VOC emissions during manufacturing. The vehicle is 95% recyclable according to Maruti’s engineering team, with improved design for disassembly to facilitate end-of-life processing.
A CNG variant continues in the lineup, now offering improved performance thanks to electronic control of the fuel system rather than the mechanical approach of earlier models. With CNG infrastructure expanding rapidly across urban India, this option provides a compelling economic and environmental case with operating costs approximately 40% lower than petrol equivalents.
Pricing and Value Proposition: The Maruti Advantage
Value has always been central to Maruti’s appeal, and the 2025 S-Presso maintains this tradition despite its comprehensive improvements. Pricing ranges from ₹4.99 lakh for the base LXi manual to ₹7.45 lakh for the fully-loaded ZXi+ CVT (ex-showroom, Delhi), representing an increase of approximately 8% over the outgoing model – reasonable given the expanded feature set and improved refinement.
Running costs remain a Maruti strength, with service intervals set at 10,000 km and capped-price servicing available for the first five years of ownership. The company’s unparalleled service network – now comprising over 4,500 touchpoints across India – ensures support is never far away, a crucial consideration for buyers in smaller towns and rural areas where the S-Presso has found particular acceptance.
Resale value, another traditional Maruti strength, appears likely to remain strong for the 2025 model given the brand’s reputation and the vehicle’s improved quality and feature set. Several financial institutions offer preferential loan terms for Maruti vehicles, reflecting confidence in their long-term reliability and market positioning.
Maruti S-Presso 2025
From Curious Experiment to Confident Contender
As I return the S-Presso to Maruti’s Jaipur facility after a week of varied driving, I reflect on how this model has matured. What began as a somewhat experimental entry into the micro-SUV segment has evolved into a thoughtfully refined product that balances the seemingly contradictory demands of affordability, practicality, and character.
The 2025 S-Presso won’t appeal to everyone – its distinctive design language and focus on efficiency rather than outright performance ensure it remains a specialized proposition. Yet for its intended audience – first-time buyers seeking elevated seating position and robust construction in an affordable package – the latest iteration delivers with conviction.
In a market increasingly crowded with similar offerings, the S-Presso’s combination of improved refinement, thoughtful technology integration, and Maruti’s reassuring ownership experience creates a compelling case. The quirky underdog has grown up, addressing its weaknesses while enhancing its inherent strengths.