SOMETIMES a car maker looks for a reason to shout about a new car in its range and Suzuki has found a mathematically precise reason to highlight its 4x4 models this year.

For it was in 1970 (44 years ago) that its first 4x4 arrived in the chunky and tiny shape of the LJ10, although Europe had to wait another seven years for the first of the Japanese company's first off-roaders.

So the theme this year is 44 and 4x4; in other words, all the fours. The current range does the all-road bit in triplicate, with the SX4 S-Cross, Swift 4x4 and Jimny, in descending order of size but ascending order of off road ability.

Newest is the S-Cross (we'll drop the SX4 bit for brevity) which has been helping Suzuki in the UK climb the sales chart, up 15,000 cars in three years, to an anticipated 35,000 in 2014.

It has become a significant player in the foothills of the motor industry here, while selling in the millions around the world. Two new models due next year will, hopefully help the upward momentum, with a triple of stalwarts (Alto, Splash and Grand Vitara) gone in the next few months to make way for the new blood.

With the S-Cross the company has a solid, and nicely recent, car to hold the fort until the even newer recruits arrive.

Sold in about equal shares with petrol or diesel engines, the S-Cross costs from £14,999 and comes with optional all-wheel drive (ALLGRIP 4WD) on some models, from £21,549 with 1.6-litre petrol power. Choosing the 1.6-litre diesel adds precisely £2,000 to the bill.

A twist and push dial lets a driver select from three drive settings; auto, with economical front drive mode; sport, which engages the rear wheels when you press on round the corners; or snow, which puts the transmission into permanent 4x4 mode.

Suzuki says the SX4 makes a strong statement with its styling. Others may reckon its a modestly handsome car that fully fits the current demand for so-called crossover vehicles that mix a tallish, vaguely off-road look with the family practicality and sensible running costs of a conventional hatchback.

The decently spacious interior takes much the same approach, with black plastic dominating a cabin where you look to the leather seats of the top SZ5 trim level (from £19,749) to add a luxury touch.

Everything works with the ease and precision you expect from a Japanese car maker, even though this one is built in Hungary.

The diesel version hums along nicely, helped by a six-speed gearbox which cuts the revs at a motorway cruise and helped towards an impressive 54mpg on the test route.

Both diesel engine and gearbox were new to the Suzuki line up; the petrol unit is a lift-over engine, attached to an equally familiar five-speed gearbox. This combination gave 42mpg on test and sounded busier at a motorway cruise, rather missing a relaxed sixth gear.

Compensation comes in the shape of the £2,000 saving over a diesel and the way it gets down to business when provoked. With sport mode dialed in, the car fairly flies.

Standard equipment on this top level model includes satellite navigation, DAB radio, leather seats, rear parking camera and a full length, and opening tinted glass sunroof.