Uptown funk

At a competitive price, this highly anticipated A-segment hatch looks to take the offensive

- Alex Shahini

SUZUKI CELERIO 1,0 GL M/T ETA: NOW

Price: R194 900 Engine: 1,0-litre, 3-cyl, petrol Transmission: 5-speed, manual Power: 49 kW @ 5 500 r/min Torque: 89 N.m @ 3 500 r/min 0-100 km/h: n/a Top speed: n/a Fuel consumption: 4,4 L/100 km CO2: 92 g/km Rivals: Hyundai Grand i10, Kia Picanto, Toyota Agya

By some stroke of luck, Suzuki South Africa has managed to introduce one of the most frugal cars into our local market amid unprecedented fuel hikes. The new Suzuki Celerio boasts incredible fuel economy, cute aesthetics and surprising spaciousness despite its compact exterior dimensions. We got to grips with the city slicker in the hustling and bustling metropolis of Johannesburg.

The new Celerio retains a sub-four-metre total length while improving on outgoing interior spaciousness and boot capacity thanks to the new platform. Passengers taller than 180 cm will still find that the second-row headroom impedes their general comfort, but the boot volume is now 295 litres, as opposed to the 235 litres available in the previous model. The substantial 60-litre improvement should make a big difference when hauling bags and groceries, although the high load lip and raise in the suspension of five millimetres could make loading heavy items into the boot an exercise in deadlifts. Expect scuffed rear bumpers from many suitcases and heavy bags grazing the paintwork on the rear.