Suzuki Swift

In its Sport guise, the Suzuki Swift is a little tearaway, serving up more fun than its power or price would have you believe. Even the base models are pretty perky.

• Comfort

  It's a small supermini, but OK for space in the front. In the back things are a lot more cramped. The main issue is noise: this is a light car and there isn't much sound deadening to quell the roar of the tyres.

  

• Performance

  All petrol versions have 80+bhp and get along well, especially when you consider the low prices. And their five-speed boxes are more than adequate at this level. The diesel costs a lot extra but saves fuel without a big performance penalty. And the Sport makes great use of its 125bhp.

  

• Cool

  The Sport is cool-ish, as long as you manage to think yourself away from the mindset that you wanted a Mini but couldn't afford it.

  

• Quality

  The Swift is unpretentious, kitted out with a simple hard-plastic cabin. But everything fits together accurately and permanently. On the outside, panel gaps are good and tight and the surfacing gives a well-resolved impression. But some more soundproofing would have been a good idea.

  

• Handling

  The Swift is sharp and eager to engage. The quick steering and low-mass sensation have it chicaning about with glee. At times the Sport can even get a little tail-happy, so pay attention if you turn off the ESP.

  

• Practicality

  Five doors in a car so small help its case, and compactness aids parking. But bottom line is the Swift is a supermini, and a small one at that, so you have to accept the limitations.

  

• Running costs

  Insurance isn't quite rock-bottom and nor is the consumption (except for the diesel) but otherwise you're looking at canny budget motoring with no nasty financial surprises. That's the reason people buy Japanese small cars: the Swift's sense of fun is a bonus.