You can’t expect much from a sub-compact hatchback such as the Suzuki Celerio; after all, this is as close to basic motoring as you can get. Yet, it easily stands toe-to-toe not only against its direct rival, the Toyota Wigo, but against other slightly more expensive choices such as the Kia Picanto and Mitsubishi Mirage. In fact, strip its “basic transport” label and you end up with one of the best bang-for-the-buck choices in the market.

For one, it actually looks clean and tidy. Although it doesn’t stand out as much in a parking lot (well, except for its bright shade of Cerulean Blue), at least it also doesn’t look too much like a caricature. It’s well-proportioned with a good amount of glass area for an airy look and feel. An added bonus here is the amount of stuff that you get for the price: front foglamps, alloy wheels, and even a rear wiper and washer system.



The interior pretty much echoes the exterior. Though there are some bits of design pizzazz here and there (rounded A/C vents, the sweeping two-tone look), the main draw here is how straight-to-the-point it is. A large gauge cluster, chunky buttons, and well-wearing switchgear. Everything seems well bolted together though the plastics aren’t exactly textured or finished in a high-class way. Still, at least everything works as it should.

In terms of space, there’s nothing to complain about. The front seats offer plenty of head- and legroom, and with seats that offer a generous amount of slide, it makes even taller passengers feel comfortable. At the back, though the Celerio can technically fit three, they have to be slender. It’s much better to think of it as a four-seater and at that point, it’s roomy.



As a sub-compact hatchback, the Celerio scores high with a truly usable square-shaped cargo hold. Fitting a couple of suitcases or grocery bags is easy and when needed, the seats tumble in a 60/40 split to accommodate bulkier items. There are some cubby holes around the front as well and most do the job well enough. However, it must be said that the cupholders situated between the front seats are close to useless.

With its diminutive proportions, getting to grips with the Celerio’s unique ergonomics requires some time. The first thing you notice is how you feel like your legs extend beyond the front wheels and with no front overhang to speak of, this fundamentally changes the way you treat corners. While that part is adjusted for in about three days, the rearview mirror (with no day/night function) makes everything look too magnified that it can make the driver feel nauseous after just a few glances.



It would be unreasonable to expect a P 598,000 car to be the last word in refinement, so you won’t be surprised to learn that the Celerio’s 1.0-liter 3-cylinder engine is pretty vocal and rough, especially at idle. Poke it though and it has some surprising power. A small displacement engine coupled with a gearless CVT may sound like a recipe for snail-paced driving, but it actually does a great job of motivating this 860-kilogram hatchback. It’s not going to get your heart racing, but it handles highways just as well as city roads. Plus, it does a decent 12.04 km/L.

The electric power steering itself is precise and becomes nicely weighted at speed to give the Celerio some surprisingly good high-speed manners. There’s a slight hint of wind noise and lots of road noise at 100 km/h that a decent conversation over the hands-free Bluetooth is close to impossible. The suspension is on the firm side so you do feel more bumps around town, but more effective shock absorbing means that the ride remains composed as obstacles are quelled quickly rather than causing the car to fidget around.



As one of the most affordable cars in the market, the Celerio stays close to Suzuki’s philosophy of providing excellent value for money. Not only is this the most affordable automatic transmission car in the country, but it also comes reasonably loaded with a touchscreen audio system, dual SRS airbags, and even anti-lock brakes with electronic brakeforce distribution.

From an enthusiast’s point of view, it’s hard to really get excited about entry-level cars such as the Suzuki Celerio. It’s certainly not the fastest, most luxurious, or even the most premium set of wheels money can buy. But from a practical perspective, it actually does well. For those on a budget or those looking at their first brand-new car, this Suzuki not only provides room for a small family, but it’s actually a decent drive and is speced enough as not to relegate it into the penalty box. It’s a worthy look, even when you’re considering cars about P 100,000 more.