Suzuki Swift   Women's view

Suzukis Swift Is A Rather Left-Field Supermini Choice But For All That, A Very Good One, Thinks June Neary

Time to readjust your thinking when it comes to Suzuki. I hadnt consciously pigeonholed this Japanese brand as a maker of cool cars but with the latest Swift supermini, theyve moved into this category. This car has absolutely nothing in common with its first generation namesake which died a slow death on the British market a few years ago. Todays Swift is self-consciously trendy, both in looks and demeanour.

You cant help wanting to like it.

Suzuki tell me that this car is based around what they call a "1.5 box" design. Its certainly very shapely. A wide airdam and big headlamps give the car a distinctive face and the big wheels at each corner of the car give the impression that its solidly planted to the road. The black pillars give the car a floating glasshouse effect and the wraparound glazing helps to promote better all round visibility.

I liked it. Inside, there are smoothly curved surfaces and a number of bright ideas. I especially liked the illuminated ring around the speedometer, a welcome change from the usual chrome rings and the three-spoke steering wheel looks agreeably sporty. I couldnt work out why the rev counter dial featured a zero mark at the six oclock position until a male member of our Road Test team told me that this was a styling cue from Suzukis sports bike expertise.

One bugbear of mine is the need to be constantly manipulating tiny, fiddly audio and climate buttons and Suzuki at least have made some attempt to get away from this irritating design practice, opting instead opted for big, easy to reach dial-type controls. The audio system can also be operated from a set of optional wheel-mounted switches. One thing you notice, particularly sitting in the back, is that the Swift is wide wider in fact than any other car in the supermini class (1,690mm). Coupled with a long wheelbase and compact engines, this frees up plenty of room in the cabin and allows for a 213-litre luggage area.

The plush GLX model I tried featured keyless entry for simple door unlocking, engine start-up and locking. With this system, theres no fumbling, and no need to insert a key or press a remote. Instead, as long as youre carrying the key, or its in a pocket or bag, the system detects its presence and unlocks the car. The doors are opened simply by pressing a button on either front door handle, while the engine is started by twisting the ignition key housing.

As soon as you walk away from the car, the system detects the keys absence and the car is locked and immobilised. Neat.

Compare the new Swifts cabin to that of its predecessor and youll find its undergone many changes. Theres a real upmarket feel, giving the impression that youre in a much more expensive car. Three petrol engines and a diesel are on offer at the moment. The entry-level option is a 91bhp 1.

3-litre petrol unit that will probably be the biggest seller. Next up is a 100bhp 1.5-litre petrol powerplant and then comes the 64bhp 1.3-litre DDiS diesel.

This diesel unit is particularly interesting, featuring common rail architecture allied to a turbocharger and intercooler. The result is a surprisingly flat torque curve that offers strong responses at a wide range of engine speeds. The final option is the 1.6-litre 125bhp engine found exclusively in the Swift Sport.

The 1.3-litre petrol engine is capable of hitting 60mph from standstill in 11 seconds on the way to its 109mph top speed. The 1.5-litre option cuts a second from that time and has a top speed of 115mph although those figures are dull slightly if you substitute the standard manual transmission for the automatic gearbox.

Fuel economy is key in a car like the Swift and averages of 45.6mpg and 43.5mpg for the two engines respectively is a good showing. Better still is the diesels 61.

4mpg.

Prices start at £7,999 for the 3-door 1.3 GL and run up to £11,549 for the Sport model, so the Swift is reasonable value. All models feature front, side and curtain airbags, radio/CD player, remote central locking and immobiliser, electric front windows, electric and heated door mirrors, steering wheel-mounted audio controls and tinted glass, while the plusher GLX gains keyless entry and start, air conditioning, alloy wheels, and front fog lamps.

The best small Suzuki yet by some margin. The trick for dealers of course will be in letting people know that this car actually exists, let alone getting them to try it. For those that take the plunge however, a trendier, more interesting view of supermini motoring awaits.