Road test: Suzuki Swift 1.2 SZ4

Since it first appeared in 1984, the Suzuki Swift has been one of the most enjoyable and best value superminis on the market. The fifth generation Swift arrived in 2010, but now the range has been tweaked with the addition of two new models, a five-door 4x4 and five-door Sport.

The Sport has the same 136PS 1.6-litre petrol engine and six-speed gearbox as before but now has projector headlamps. Twin exhausts within a rear diffuser mark it out from lesser models. Choosing the new five-door Sport over a three-door bumps the price from £13,749 to £14,249. It’s perky, hitting 62mph in 8.7 seconds and a maximum of 121mph, and it fits like a glove, with a good driving position and excellent handling.

The 4x4 has a 94PS 1.2-litre dual VVT engine, which feels less lively than the Sport but seems perfectly up to the job and, like the Sport, is remarkably smooth at motorway speeds, although tyre roar makes itself known.

Top spec SZ4 models get daytime LED running lights, air-con and cruise control, and Suzuki claims combined fuel consumption of 51.3mpg for the five-door five-speed 4x4, available only with manual transmission.

Thanks to a clever viscous coupling, which transfers power to the back wheels if the front loses grip, the 4x4 is only 65 kilos heavier than the 2WD version and CO2 emissions of

126g/km are only 10g higher. This is a likeable, keenly priced range, and the 4x4 is a good alternative for people needing extra grip without the expense of a full-sized SUV.

Suzuki Swift 1.2 SZ4 5-door 4x4
Top speed: 103mph;
Combined MPG (claimed): 51.3;
Price: from £13,749