I AM very often asked by acquaintances what small car I would recommend.
Most of the time they just want reassurance they have made the right choice in their mind, but sometimes it's still a very troubling thought in their consciousness. Because we all want different things in a vehicle it means I have to probe a little before I answer with a few possibilities.
Then I can completely derail their train of thought and suggest something like the Suzuki Alto as one of a number they might consider. Not the first model most would think about but it has a lot going for it in a sector which is brimming with very good cars, particularly the very latest from the big players.
It is one of the youngest car makers and Suzuki shows its ideas are bang up to date for today's buyers.
Thirty years after it started making small cars, Suzuki launched the seventh generation Alto as a super-mini with a sporty side.
Since 1981, Suzuki has sold about 45,000 cars in Britain and many are the Alto series, which is now made in India for global markets, and which is available here with a modern three-cylinder 1.0 engine and choice of five-speed manual or four-speed automatic transmission.
There are three levels of trim, SZ2, SZ3 and SZ4, which we tested, in just one five-door body style, the most popular choice among UK buyers.
The top model comes as standard with electronic stability control as well as air conditioning for £8,460, about £1,100 more than the entry level model. The first two models are group 1E for insurance and the SZ4 is just 2E.
You know the engine is going to be a hard worker and not that quiet, but its smoothness does surprise the driver and it's noise level is not too high unless you really push it along.
The automatic is a good one with surprisingly good changes up even when under heavy throttle and it can be coaxed along very slowly in a traffic crawl without repeatedly changing up and down.
Its character changes slightly as passengers are added and then it does labour more noticeably but there is not a huge loss of refinement from the powertrain.
The brakes are well up to coping with the situations you place the Suzuki and its handbrake holds on steep hills.
I liked the easy, flowing steering which gives it tremendous around-town agility for manoeuvring and parking even if its a little lifeless at speed on more open roads.
Minor controls are close to hand, the instruments simple and clear backed up by the usual warning lights.
The climate control is very good, simple and effective and you have powered front windows but manual winders behind and there is no sunroof option. Cabin trim looks and feels cheap.
Oddments will have to be small to be stored in the cabin compartments and the boot extends from about 130 litres to 370 litres, ideal for shopping while offering some useful luggage space on a holiday for two and the back seats are folded, although access is not excellent.
The access is fairly good but it's a tight fit in the back for two. Front legroom is good, headroom ok and shoulder width all round is close.
Having said that, the seats are surprisingly comfortable and particularly so for smaller users.
The ride is usually firm but smooth, however a badly surfaced road can catch out the springing and damping and create a juggly experience. Accelerate hard and the front wheels scramble to grip and it rolls around on tight turns but ease off and it all comes back on line in an undramatic fashion.
Visibility is very good all round, ideal for a city car, and the wipers and lights are up to their jobs.
The responsiveness and nimbleness of the Suzuki Alto is delightful and more than compensates for its outright lack of power. With the automatic transmission, the SZ4 is highly practical for city driving as well.
FAST FACTS
Suzuki Alto SZ4
Price: £8,460
Mechanical: 67bhp, 999cc, 3cyl petrol engine driving front wheels via 4-speed automatic gearbox
Max speed: 93mph
0-62mph: 17 seconds
Combined mpg: 54
Insurance group: 2
C02 emissions: 103g/km
BIK rating: 10%
Warranty: 3yrs/ 60,000 miles