PLUGGING a gap in its line up with a sporty compact SUV Suzuki is setting its sights on some big guns.

The Japanese car maker has just broken into the top 20 in the UK sales charts and is about to target the likes of Nissan and Vauxhall with its SX4 S-Cross.

As the name suggests it's a crossover and at a glance it is very similar to the Nissan Qashqai.

But Suzuki is being aggressive with pricing and the S-Cross is some £1,500 cheaper than its rivals.

Priced from £14,999 the S-Cross is available with a 1.6-litre petrol engine and can be had in two or four-wheel-drive set ups although the 4x4 versions cost significantly more.

Diesels add an extra £2,000 and four trim levels include an SZ-T version specifically aimed at business drivers.

With sat nav, Bluetooth and chrome trim as standard, the SZ-T can be had for £17,749 as a petrol version which Suzuki claims is good for more than 50 to the gallon with emissions of 127g/km.

The more economical diesel has a six-speed manual gearbox boosting the official economy to 67.2mpg and with a CO2 figure of 110g/km it is one of the lowest rated SUVs on the market.

Even the 4x4 models have respectable eco figures with the diesel achieving 64.2mpg and 114g/km and the petrol 47.8 with a CO2 figure 135g/km.

Realistically, expect around 56 to the gallon from the diesel which is what we achieved in a top specification S-Cross SZ5 fitted with Suzuki's new Allgrip drive system.

Priced from £23,549 it is the range topping model and has a double sliding panoramic sun roof, leather upholstery, parking sensors and LED running lamps among its standard features.

Suzuki is no stranger to the 4x4 market with the Jimny and Grand Vitara already established as capable performers.

The S-Cross is the first of its SUVs to feature the multi-mode Allgrip set up which is operated from a circular control in the centre console. The drive can be locked for maximum traction or moved from its auto setting to either a snow and mud mode or a sports configuration.

The latter turned the S-Cross into a particularly sharp performer with plenty of urge and nice feedback.

In the auto setting the steering felt slightly dull. Even so the amount of grip was quite impressive although there was no chance to take the S-Cross off road.

The S-Cross is well proportioned for a family car and with a boot of 430 litres it is highly practical offering more luggage space than the Qashqai. It's even bigger than the Grand Vitara which in itself is a much larger vehicle.

Top speed from the 120ps 1.6-litre diesel Allgrip is 108mph with a 0 to 60 time of 13 seconds and the S-Cross will cruise with ease on a motorway.

The engine in the petrol version also develops 120ps and is marginally quicker through the gears although it has only a five speed box.

A CVT auto transmission is also available on the petrol models priced from £21,099. Apart from convenience it also reduces emissions on the front wheel drive model to 125g/km compared to 127 for the manual and from 135 to 130 on the Allgrip version which is priced from £22,449.

All in all the S-Cross is a smart looking SUV which has plenty of potential. It's built in Europe at Suzuki's factory in Hungary alongside the SX4 compact MPV which has been available since 2006.