Suzuki Swift offers fairly limited appeal

The new Suzuki Swift 4X4 has few natural rivals in the true sense of it, and the only other conventional hatchback with four wheel drive is the Fiat Panda 4×4, but that is much a smaller car. Swift 4×4 is available with only the 93bhp 1.2-liter petrol engine unit that comes as five-door.

Sometime ago, a group test drivers took the car along rutted,poorly maintained tracks and the four-wheel-drive system by their own assessment proved simple and effective, driving the rear wheels when the front pair started to slip.

Without a low ratio gearbox or off-road tyres, the 4×4 is by no means advanced enough to cope with proper off-roading. Be it for low-grip rainy conditions, it is a neat and cost-effective solution. And as with the standard Swift, the 4×4 offers great all-round visibility and plenty of adjustment for the driver. The boot space is 211 liters.

Depending on the market and country in question, the 4×4 is available in SZ3 or SZ4 trims. The SZ3 comes with seven airbags, electric front windows, air-conditioning system and an audio system with Bluetooth compatibility mode and a USB input. SZ4 version adds climate control, automatic headlights, keyless entry and start and electric rear windows, along with extra plastic cladding and skid plates