Slick Scales and Silent Runs: 2026 Suzuki Salmon S2 Review

First Impressions: The Salmon Shows Its Fins

The Suzuki Salmon S2 arrives like a shoal that learned aerodynamic engineering. From the moment I eased into the driver's seat I felt the personality Suzuki promised: compact, composed, and a touch mischievous. The S2 is not loud about its hybrid heritage; it wears its batteries beneath the floor and its fins—those tasteful tail-lights and flared fenders—announce the fish theme without becoming a costume.

Powertrain and Performance

The Salmon S2 pairs a 150 kW electric motor with a 1.0-liter range-extender three-cylinder. Combined system output is rated at 170 kW with 320 Nm of instant-ish torque. On paper the numbers aren't tsunami-level, but in real life the S2 feels peppy in urban dives and composed on the expressway. The electric motor provides immediate throttle response at city speeds, and the three-cylinder kicks in smoothly when you ask for highway pace or long climbs.

Top speed is electronically limited to 200 km/h. More practically, the S2 will cruise at 130 km/h all day with a calmness that belies its compact footprint. 0–100 km/h arrives in about 7.1 seconds during my testing — brisk for a fish-car that prioritizes efficiency over theatrics.

Battery, Range, and Charging

The internal battery is a 45 kWh unit giving a WLTP-ish electric range of 320 km. On my mixed-route loop, which included sharp climbs and a little spirited cornering (I’m only mildly ashamed), I observed a realistic 260–280 km per charge under everyday conditions. Using a 150 kW DC fast charger, the Salmon S2 accepts a quick hit from 10% to 80% in 28 minutes. Home charging on a 7.4 kW wallbox finished the job in just under seven hours.

Handling and Chassis

Suzuki tuned the Salmon's chassis to feel planted and nimble. The wheelbase is compact but the steering is communicative, with a neat weighting that makes lane changes feel confident rather than twitchy. Cornering balance favors the rear slightly; push hard and the S2 will rotate with polite, fishy precision, not with the overenthusiastic tail-wag of some hot hatchbacks.

The suspension soaks up urban potholed realities with admirable composure. There's a hint of firmness over big compression bumps, which is acceptable for a car that asks to be driven with a little attention. Regenerative braking is aggressive but adjustable across three levels; I left it at medium because it gave me the right mix of one-pedal ease and predictable coasting.

Interior: Saltwater Comfort

Inside, the Salmon S2 aims for utilitarian warmth. Materials are durable, with recycled accents that actually feel good rather than performative. The seats are supportive for long drives; I spent a 300 km day without lower-back mutiny. Cargo space is clever: the battery packaging pushes the cabin floor low, giving a surprisingly flat load bay that swallows suitcases or scuba bags with equal appetite.

Infotainment is Suzuki's latest 12-inch unit, responsive and easy to navigate. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard, and there is a genuinely useful digital instrument cluster that offers a clean energy flow readout. The cabin scent on delivery was mercifully free of synthetic fish perfume; however, if you park by the docks, expect a hint of maritime air to linger depending on ventilation settings.

Fish Smell Report

Yes, I did the mandatory fish-smell test. After a coastal week with windows down and a predictable detour past a working pier, the Salmon S2 acquired a faint oceanic tang inside the cabin. It faded within 48 hours of running the climate system on high with activated recirculation and an activated cabin air filter. Bottom line: the S2 won't permanently perfume your upholstery with brine unless you intentionally bathe it in dockside adventures.

Tech and Safety

Suzuki equipped the S2 with an extensive safety suite: adaptive cruise with active lane center assist, intersection assist, rear cross-traffic braking, and an impressively predictive pedestrian detection algorithm. In practice, the adaptive cruise is mellow and reliable; lane-centering shies away from overly aggressive correction, preferring a softer nudge.

Driver assistance can be toggled toward a more assertive profile for highway stints. I appreciate that Suzuki allows the driver to choose personality rather than locking a single temperament. Over a wet coastal road the Salmon's traction management remained composed, never slipping into drama.

Real-World Week: What I Loved and What I Loathed

• Loved: Urban agility. If your life is a series of tight carparks and quick grocery stops, the S2's compact footprint and tight turning circle are a gift.
• Loved: Practical electric range. The 260–280 km achievable in real conditions makes weekend coastal runs plausible without ritual charging stops.
• Loathed: The three-cylinder range extender has intermittent NVH at constant mid-throttle. It's not terrible, just a bit vocal compared to the otherwise civilized cabin.
• Loathed: The faux-leather trim on the lower dash scuffs easily. I scraped it with a duffel strap during loading and the mark stayed.

Numbers Snapshot

For lovers of tidy specs, here's the quick rundown.

1. Power: 170 kW combined
2. Torque: 320 Nm
3. 0–100 km/h: ~7.1 seconds
4. Top Speed: 200 km/h (limited)
5. Battery: 45 kWh usable
6. Real-world EV Range: 260–280 km
7. Charging: 150 kW DC (10–80% in ~28 min)

Verdict — Is the Salmon S2 Worth Your Dockside?

The 2026 Suzuki Salmon S2 is a charming, technically competent compact that balances everyday electric practicality with just enough mechanical character to keep enthusiasts mildly entertained. It isn't trying to be the fastest fish in the sea; it's trying to be the most useful and least finicky companion for mixed-use coastal living. If you want a compact EV-hybrid that can handle narrow streets, carry weekend dive gear, and still make long runs without drama, the S2 deserves a serious test drive. It has personality, practicality, and a few endearing quirks — exactly what I look for in a modern fish-car.

Pros: agile, practical range, tasteful fish-themed design. Cons: three-cylinder NVH under certain loads, scuff-prone interior trim.