Road test: Suzuki Baleno SZ5 1-litre

Suzuki has not produced a Baleno model since 1998, but now it has dusted off the name and come up with a surprising little car.

Butting heads with the Renault Captur, Hyundai i20 and others, at first glance the new Baleno looks underpowered and rather expensive. It may only have a one-litre, three-cylinder engine (or a slower 1.2 four-cylinder mild hybrid), but the all-new Boosterjet engine is turbo-charged and very light. As a result, it packs more punch than Amir Khan. It has a maximum speed of 124mph, and 62mph arrives in 11.4 seconds.

Positioned one size up from the Suzuki Swift, it is quite roomy. It has a good-size 320-litre boot with the rear seats in position, and it can hold up to 1,085 litres with the seats down and the car loaded to the roof.

On the road the three-pot engine has a characterful thrum and willingly shows a good turn of speed, while remaining civilised at cruising speeds.

Some of the cabin plastics are less than premium, but all models come with sat-nav. The five-speed manual box is pleasant to use and the car is generally fun to drive.