Suzuki Celerio review (2015-2019)
It’s small, and maybe some people even think it’s beautifully formed, too. In a tough and competitive sector, it’s certainly true that the Suzuki Celerio punches above its weight. So read our Suzuki Celerio review to discover whether we think it’s a real contender or maybe lacking the space and style you need.
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Pros
- Very affordable
- Cheap to run
- Spacious (for a small car)
Cons
- Could do with more power
- Budget interior
Interior
Our rating: 5/10
It’d be fair to say that Suzuki hasn’t exactly gone to town to make this a great interior.
There’s quite a cheap feel to all the materials and none of the quirky fun that other cars in this class often include.
Driving position
That said, there’s everything you need, including a driver’s seat and steering wheel that you can adjust to give you a great driving position.
All the instruments and controls are neatly laid out and there’s plenty of headroom thanks to the Celerio’s high roofline.
Tech and features
In terms of tech, if you don’t expect much you won’t be disappointed. There’s no sat-nav but there is Bluetooth connectivity.
There’s also a USB charging point for your phone, as well as a little shelf for it to sit on.
It does seem a bit mean to pick on the Celerio for its basic interior though.
At the price, and for this class of car, you’d not really expect heated seats and ambient lighting, after all.
Performance
Our rating: 6/10
Engine and power
There’s only a single engine for the Celerio - a one-litre, three-cylinder non-turbo version. This sadly means you’re never going to be the first out of the blocks.
It is ideal for zipping around town, and the car’s suspension makes it a far less jolting experience than some.
Handling and ride comfort
It’s also got a pretty decent turning circle so doing a U-turn when you spot a parking space on the other side of the road is a piece of cake.
The big, vertical windows all round mean that seeing your way into that space is also easy, and rear parking sensors are included in some models to make it even simpler.
Practicality
Our rating: 7/10
Boot space
Again, the shape of the Celerio might not be so beautiful but the near-vertical tailgate means its boot is about the biggest in the class.
Think three bags-for-life full of your supermarket shopping and that’s about the measure of it.
Fold the 60/40 seats down and it’s not quite so impressive, with the Skoda Citigo offering more space.
There’s also quite a lip to the boot, which isn’t the most convenient when you’re trying to load up.
Rear seats
If you intend to use the car as a four-seater, it’s a definite winner when it comes to boot space.
If you’re going to be carrying larger loads, it might not be your best choice for small car.
In the back, there are three seatbelts, which is optimistic instead of very practical.
Sure, there’s plenty of room for a couple to sit pretty comfortably in the back. The third person in the middle will always find themselves in a bit of a squeeze.
Again, there’s plenty of headroom and enough legroom to make even long journeys not quite as tough as you might expect.
Running costs
Our rating: 8/10
Fuel economy
Whether you go for the standard 1.0-litre engine or the ‘dual-jet’ version, you’ll soon discover that fuel costs are pretty low for the Celerio.
The comparatively light weight of the car means that the former should give you around 65mpg, with the latter delivering 78mpg.
Cars registered before April 2017 should pay no road tax at all, with post-2017 models paying £140 a year. Insurance is pretty cheap too.
Reliability
Suzuki always ranks fairly high on reliability tests, but the recommended 9,000-mile service intervals mean that maintenance costs can work out higher over time than other cars in the class.
The verdict
Interior
5/10
Performance
6/10
Practicality
7/10
Running costs
8/10
Relatively cheap to buy and with everything you need for a city runabout, the Suzuki Celerio is always going to be a good choice for simple, reliable driving. Don’t expect it to get your pulse racing.
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