THIS is Suzuki's entry into the crossover sector of small hatchbacks that have been pumped up to offer more space and versatility for family motoring.

It's is badged as the SX4 S-Cross and will sit in the sector of the market alongside the likes of the Nissan Qashqai and Skoda Yeti. The present SX4 will continue in production until next year with a new small SUV replacement due the year after.

For a start the S-Cross (as Suzuki would like us to call it) is much bigger than the SX4 and offers more boot space with a nice flat floor for easy loading.

It's also bigger inside with good leg and shoulder room, although six-footers in the back may find head space limited if they choose to opt for the double panoramic sliding roof - the first in its sector - which takes up a bit of headroom.

The cabin itself is nicely laid out with all controls and switches easy to find and the front seats are firm but supportive and offer a good view of the road ahead. Rear vision is also good.

Some of the interior materials used are still a bit on the firm plastic side, but all-in-all the interior is a step up from the SX4.

As far as exterior styling goes the S-Cross is a pretty attractive with a sporty look up front with an aggressive grille and big air intakes. Other attractive features are skid protection plates, integrated roof rails and slim headlights. Daytime running lights are standard.

Suzuki offers two engine choices: 1.6 turbo diesel and 1.6 petrol in two-wheel-drive and four-wheel-drive with options for automatic gear change.

CO2 emissions are low with the 1.6 petrol giving just 127g/km with two-wheel-drive and the oil-burner coming in at 110g/km.

Top speed for the petrol is 111mph with a 0-62mph time of 11 seconds. The diesel can also hit 111mph and its sprint time is 12 seconds.

I tried the petrol version first and although it performed pretty well I did think it lacked the urgency I'd expected. I had to work the gears to keep it at optimum speed for the chosen route.

The diesel is much better with plenty of punch, especially in third and fourth gear which makes overtaking less of a challenge, although it did tend to struggle a bit before getting up to around 2,000rpm. The six-speed manual gear change is slick and positive.

The suspension setting is a bit on the firm side. The roads in Italy we drove on were pretty rough and potholed - much like the UK - so that could be a minus point, but as far as general handling goes the S-Cross held pretty level on sharp bends and the steering is precise with good feedback.

Engine, road and wind noise is reasonably contained for a motor in this sector and overall the driving experience was pleasant.

I didn't get the chance to take the S-Cross off-road but Suzukis have a reputation for being very able on the rough stuff. The S-Cross four-wheel-drive system has four driver selectable modes - auto, sport, snow and lock, all selected through a dial on the centre console.

Equipment levels are good with the entry level SZ3 model coming with cruise control, electric windows, heated door mirrors, air-conditioning, USB socket and 16-inch alloys.

The new S-Cross SX4 goes on sale in the UK on October 1 and Suzuki expects to sell around 5,000 in a full year with an even split between petrol and diesel.

Four specifications will be offered: SZ3, SZ4, SZ-T, and SZ5 with prices expected to begin at around £15,000.

Suzuki sales in the UK rose by 25 per cent last year and the Japanese company says sales this year are up by 20 per cent and the new S-Cross can do nothing but boost that progress.