Finally, Suzuki Philippines has brought in the latest version of their entry-level hatchback, the Celerio. It sits on a new platform, has a new engine, and a new look inside and out. The biggest difference is the absence of the CVT as it’s now available with a 5-speed manual or Suzuki’s AGS transmission.
The exterior has become funky, to say the least. Gone are the straight lines of its predecessor and in its place are circular cues on the headlights, grille, and cladding on the lower bumper. The sides were given dimples above the wheel wells and the character lines were replaced with subtle curves. At the back, the more rounded taillights sit higher and give the Celerio an illusion of wider hips, just like in the Swift. Reflectors were also added and sits high on the rear bumper.
Open the doors and you’ll immediately see the redesigned dashboard that’s now sporting a new design. The passenger side now has 3D moldings while the driver is given a new gauge cluster. In the middle of the dash is a new 6.2-inch touchscreen but sadly, there’s still no Apple or Android connectivity. Under it are the buttons for the door locks and front passenger windows, together with the hazard button. Controls for the rear passenger windows can be found on the rear of the center console, just infront of the rear occupants.
Dimensions were also increased in the all-new Celerio than the outgoing model. It has +95mm in length, +55mm in width, +15mm height, +10mm in wheelbase. Overall this led to more room inside and a bigger cargo area. It now has a 295 liter capacity compared to the 254 liters before. Add to this the backseats that are capable of 60-40 split giving you versatile cargo space.
The all-new Celerio joins the Swift and Dzire as it now sits on the HEARTECT platform. It lends better chassis rigidity to the car while having a lighter weight to not burden fuel efficiency. Powering it is also a new engine in the K10C, a 1-liter DualJet engine that’s said to be more efficient that the previous K10B. It produces 66 horsepower and 89 Nm of torque. This is paired to a 5-speed manual or Suzuki’s Auto-Gear Shift. Working together, it’s able to get up to 28.25km/l in Suzuki’s internal tests.
There’s also a few tricks under the Celerio’s sleeve as it has Engine Start-Stop function, Electronic Stability Control, and Hill Hold Control. This is on top of other standard features like front airbags, ABS, and ISOFIX tethers.
The all-new Suzuki Celerio is now available in Suzuki dealerships nationwide. The GL MT variant costs P708,000 while the GL AGS is priced at P758,000. That makes the Celerio more expensive than even the top of the line Honda Brio and Toyota Wigo. It remains to be seen if its flair and new amenities can justify this price jump.