FOR a lot of people a car is just a means of getting from A to B, no more no less.

But most of them have probably never driven a new Suzuki Swift Sport, which gets you from A to B rather quickly - and at the same time puts a large helping of fun into the journey.

There's just something about this little pocket rocket that puts a smile on your face every time you get behind the wheel.

It's quick, it's sharp and it sounds great - thanks to its two cannon-like exhausts - and, sitting 15mm lower than the previous Sport it's got tenacious grip on the road.

And on a more practical note it's a small car which offers plenty of room for five adults in comfort.

The high roof ensures plenty of headroom and the high-backed rally-style seats have plenty of space underneath them so there is more than adequate leg room for rear seat passengers.

From the outside the Swift Sport has a coupe-style image thanks to the concealed rear door handles and the new look alloys give it more kerb appeal.

I really liked the interior styling too with its gloss red panels set into the dashboard, front doors and around the gear shift to add colour to the predominantly black lower sections.

It's a car which is very well equipped, with features which include keyless locking and unlocking, push button start, voice control and a leather-covered multi-function steering wheel.

A centre-set touch screen gives access to many of the onboard functions including the satellite navigation and audio systems as well as smart phone connectivity, and all cars come with a hill holder clutch, automatic high beam/dipped beam headlights and a rear view reversing camera.

Unusually the display screen between the deep set rev counter and speedo gives information on engine output, torque, G-force, braking and acceleration as well as the more conventional mpg and average speed.

Power comes from a 1.4-litre turbocharged Boosterjet engine mated to a slick six-speed manual gearbox which takes this little car from 0-62 miles per hour in just 8.1 seconds but feels dramatically quicker.

It's also a very torquey engine delivering plenty of mid range power for comfortable every day driving and sharp overtaking.

The ride is on the firm side but not at the expense of comfort. If you want something a little softer, however, check out the ordinary Swift.

There was a time when the luggage carrying capacity of the Swift let it down - I know, I had one on a package holiday to Spain and the rear seat passengers had to sit with a suitcase on their laps - but the boot on the latest one has been increased by 25 per cent boosting it to a more realistic 265 litres.