MODERN engineering never ceases to amaze in just how much power can be wrung from a small three-cylinder petrol engine.

This can be experienced to best effect in a drive in the latest version of Suzuki's SX4 S-Cross 1.0-litre Boosterjet model.

The car itself is quite a hefty Crossover with looks leaning towards its SUV DNA. Normally you would rarely find a petrol engine below 1.6-litre in a vehicle like this, but lurking under the bonnet is a little three-cylinder 12-valve petrol engine of just 988cc.

Gutless and tiresome in the power delivery department you might think, but this little engine throws the old rule book out of the window, delivering a top speed of 112mph and a spirited 0-62mph sprint of 11 seconds.

It develops a respectable 111ps, the sort of power you would expect from a much larger capacity engine.

And it is nippy too, especially around town, but at the upper end of the power spectrum you do have to use the gears to get the best acceleration and performance.

This model majors on low emissions of 113g/km and a healthy combined economy figure of 56.4mpg and is one of the stars of the range encompasses eight models with three engine choices including a diesel.

Two and four-wheel drive as well as manual and automatic transmissions. are available across three trim levels.

The range has been facelifted in recent times and now features a wide grin of a grille proudly displaying the Suzuki badge, improved headlights, LED backlights and a a higher stance.

Its assured balance and grip have to be praised and sometimes it was easy to forget that this version was only two-wheel drive.

Also, this is a very well equipped vehicle for its on the road price of £19,499. Safety features include ABS with EBD and Brake Assist, ESP, hill hold control and much more.

Driver aids are numerous and parking sensors and a rear parking camera are just two.

But to me this car just looks so much better than previous Suzukis. The 17" polished alloys, black pillars, wheel arch extensions and a host of other features now give this model a much stronger visual statement when compared with other more expensive competitors.