SUZUKI has been at the forefront of producing value for money chunky four-wheel drive vehicles and sprightly small cars  - but the Kizashi marks a move into the sports saloon sector.

Launched in 2009, Suzuki decided to bring the car to the UK this year and it makes a good first impression.

There is a nice luxury feel to the cabin and I immediately felt comfortable behind the wheel thanks to a range of electronic adjustments.

The Kizashi has seen a raft of external and internal modifications for this year which include a more muscular front end with a lower grille, body side sill extensions and lower body side mouldings.

There are also natty 18-inch alloy wheels and a smart steering wheel with controls for the stereo.

It comfortably accommodates five adults and any accompanying luggage but manages to retain a sleek and stylish look.

The rear seats can be split 60/40 making extra boot space available while a ‘ski bag' style load-through facility is also installed enabling the car to carry longer items.

The spacious interior offers plenty of leg and shoulder room with rear seat passengers well catered for. The shape and position of the seats are ergonomically designed to support a natural posture making long-distance travel anything but a chore.

In addition friendly seat heights and large door apertures make access easy for all.

As with all Suzuki cars plenty of goodies are included as standard including a decent audio system with eight speakers, automatic headlights, dual-zone automatic air conditioning as well as keyless entry and start.

Other standard items on the menu are parking sensors, leather upholstery, cruise control, Bluetooth connectivity, USB socket and folding heated door mirrors. A touch-screen satellite navigation system is an optional extra.

Suzuki make safety a priority for the Kizashi as it boasts seven airbags, stability control and anti-lock brakes with electronic brakeforce distribution. The Kizashi also offers a reinforced rigid chassis for added stability and control, while the suspension absorbs the many humps and hollows masquerading as roads.

The car is fun to drive thanks in no small measure to a four-wheel drive system that gives great levels of grip - even in slippery conditions.

When driving in normal conditions, two-wheel drive can be selected via a switch on the dashboard allowing power to be directed to the front and minimum torque to be transmitted to the rear wheels.

In four-wheel drive mode the system sends power to the rear wheels immediately upon acceleration, while monitoring several factors including wheel slippage.

It uses sensors to improve driving performance on rough roads and to stabilise performance in difficult conditions.

The Kizashi is equipped with a slick automatic transmission which can be manually operated via paddles on the steering wheel.

It works well with the 2.4-litre petrol to accelerate the Kizashi from a standing start to 62mph in a shade under nine seconds on its way to a top speed of 127mph. With this in mind it's reassuring to know that the brakes are supplied by Akebono - which also provides the system for stopping Japan's Bullet train.