SUZUKI recently stepped out of its comfort zone to launch a new saloon.

The Japanese firm is respected for its small hatchbacks and for its small and medium-size 4x4s but in January it entered new territory with the launch of the Kizashi.

This is the first time Suzuki has ever had a family-sized saloon in its UK line up and the Kizashi doesn't disappoint.

Suzuki doesn't plan to sell it in big numbers and that is not surprising because it is only available with a 2.4-litre four cylinder petrol engine mated to a six-speed CVT gearbox and linked to a drive system which can be utilised in either two or four-wheel-drive.

It is a system which was first seen in the company's SX4 model and it works very well. As a result the Kizashi may be able to find itself a niche competing against far more expensive equipment that offers the same type of ability.

Doctors, vets, farmers and others who need to travel in all weathers and conditions may find that the Kizashi priced at £21,995 is a very attractive proposition when it is compared to Audi, Volvo or Subaru machines that offer the same kind of traction.

The Kizashi (which means optimism in Japanese) is a fine looking car which attracted plenty admiring glances from other motorists and looks far more expensive than it costs.

It is shod with nice looking 18-inch alloys and features chrome rubbing strips and twin exhausts ports. The result is a classy sporty look and the fact that there will not be thousands of them on the road will help the Kizashi to stand out from the crowd.

The cabin offers plenty space for five adults and the boot is also generous at 461 litres. The rear seat backs can also be folded to provide increased carrying capacity if it is required.

Suzuki have made a real effort to give the car a premium feel and all the materials and plastics are a step up from those used in its other models. There is a quality feel to the trim and switchgear and the instruments are nicely laid out and easy to read.

There are plenty creature comforts including heated and electrically adjustable front seats, a good sound system with Bluetooth connectivity, paddle shifts on the wheel to play with if you get bored in full automatic mode and keyless entry, automatic headlights and parking sensors.  You also get leather upholstery and a USB socket.

On the performance front the Kizashi holds its own. The sprint to 60mph takes a respectable 8.8 seconds and top speed is 127mph. The steering is precise, the ride comfortable and although I am not a great lover of CVTs the Kizashi box did deliver smooth acceleration.

The car handled really well in two or four-wheel-drive mode and there was not a huge increase in fuel consumption when you opted to put the power through all four wheels.

Suzuki says the combined mpg figure should be around 34mpg and that will drop slightly if you spend a lot of time in four-wheel-drive.

The Kizashi has not been subjected to NCAP testing because it is only on sale in four European markets and only 500 will come to the UK this year. The car did earn top safety ratings in the USA and Australia where it has a larger market.

I think Suzuki will easily reach its sales target amongst private buyers who don't want a diesel and who have a need for sure-footed all-weather motoring.

I found it very impressive and you would have to spend a lot more money to get another car with the same capabilities.

And considering our weather it is no surprise that Scotland is already proving to be the Kizashi's strongest UK market.