The Suzuki SX4 has a nice rugged appearance, with strong fender and side skirt extensions and a raised ride height. The SX4’s cabin shares its basic appearance with other recent models from the Japanese manufacturer, such as the Swift. The front end shares a more familiar look with Fiat, while the view from the sides is reminiscent of the Daihatsu Terios mini off-roader.

Suzuki SX4 is more of a practical car with good interior space. Its high ride height means it’s easy to get on or off and space front and rear is good considering the size of the car. The boot is smaller than many other superminis, with just 270 liters of space, rising to 625 liters with the seats folded.

Some disadvantages of this 4×4 are that it is quite rough on rough road surfaces. For engines; options are 1.6 liter petrol and 1.6 and 1.9 liter diesel. Neither engine offers great performance, with 0-62 mph times in the high tens to low twelve and top speeds of just over 105 mph. The 106 hp petrol unit is the only engine that can be coupled to the SX4’s 4GRIP 4×4 systems. The 1.6-litre engine is supplied by Peugeot and produces 90bhp, while the 1.9-litre diesel we drive produces 118bhp.

Suzuki has an excellent showing in the Reliability Index, which tracks the cost and frequency of breakdowns. The Suzuki SX4 earned four out of five stars for adult occupant protection in the EuroNCAP crash test program. All models feature the same level of safety kit, including driver, passenger, front side and curtain airbags and ABS with electronic brake-force distribution – AutoTrader.

Is the Suzuki SX4 affordable? It costs upwards of £10,000 which, compared to the other rivals, can be expensive. But it is a good car for those looking for a car with off-road capability. It will appeal to families and those seeking an outdoor lifestyle, and there’s certainly plenty of room to accommodate. The biggest cost of operating a new Suzuki SX4 is depreciation. It will retain only 44-46 percent of its value after three years/36,000 miles.

The Suzuki Swift, on the other hand, is a sportier and more elegant car. With his funky exterior, he’s a real spoiler. Practicality is what ranks higher for the Suzuki SX4 than the Swift. Swift handling and ease of handling are unbeatable compared to the SX4. Cost-wise, the Swift Sport is good value for money, especially when you consider that the Mini Cooper costs around £2,000 more.