AS well as a soon-to-be-available Swift 4x4, Suzuki has confirmed that its Kizashi upper medium saloon will be on sale here by the end of the year.

The good looking Mondeo rival will be powered by a 2.4-litre petrol engine and it will have four wheel drive and a standard continuously variable automatic gearbox (CVT).

The 2.4 engine is said to offer excellent performance and reasonable economy and after the winter we've just had, who's to say plenty of new car buyers would be happy to have the extra traction of 4WD.

The new model is said to accelerate strongly and keep up that performance once on the move.

But those who have driven it found the kickdown a bit slow for swift overtaking.

Refinement is good and ride acceptable, but there is some noise from the suspension. As with many Japanese cars, the steering needs more feel but the car is said to corner well.

: Vauxhall Insignia