Driving the Suzuki Swift today, a small five-door hatch in its fourth generation, now in mild hybrid form and little different visually. I drove the top spec Swift GLX combining a 1.2-litre three-cylinder petrol engine with a 2.3kW integrated starter generator and a 12-volt lithium-ion battery driving through a continuously variable automatic with manual shift paddles. Super light at just 957Kg just so nimble and easy to drive – the three cylinders a little noisy, it has a hum about it, the steering light and the ride comforting for such a small car. The interior a big improvement with a larger touchscreen, nice seats, a little tight in the rear but understandable for a small hatch, quality from the Japan’s small car company hard to criticize. The big question is how the hybrid element is employed – it doesn’t drive in pure electric mode but adds a touch more power to the three- cylinder engine when required. A pleasant small car, but at times a little course and not as sweet as the previous 1.0-litre turbo Swift I remember. Good economy, 5.3L/100km but now requiring dearer 95 grade petrol. A nice well equipped small hatch but to me now starting to show its age a little in certain areas. I’m David Berthon.

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