SUZUKI has a deserved reputation for producing great small cars that provide value for money and the new fourth generation Swift is no exception.

The Swift has been a leader for the Japanese company for 40 years and while some other manufacturers are pulling out of the supermini sector to concentrate on electric vehicles and small SUVs, Suzuki correctly thinks that is an opportunity for them.

With the Ford Fiesta, Kia Rio and Nissan Micra no longer available to drivers who like small cars with regular combustion engines, Suzuki is in the right place to fill the gap occupied by motorists who don't want to switch to electric power.

And that is where the new Swift can score with its new 1.2-litre mild hybrid powerplant, better fuel economy, improved tech and stylish looks.

The new Swift is the same size as the model it replaces and is available in a simple two-trim line-up of Motion and Ultra grades.

Prices start at £18,699 for an entry-level manual model - expected to account for 40 per cent of sales - while choosing Ultra trim adds £1,100.

Motion models can be had with a CVT automatic transmission at £19,949 and an optional ALLGRIP four-wheel drive version will be introduced on Ultra models with manual transmission later this year.

As more younger drivers are opting for automatics Suzuki is aiming for 35 per cent of sales to be CVTs.

Under the bonnet, the three-cylinder mild hybrid unit offers up to eight per cent better fuel efficiency than before with an official Combined return of 64.2mpg and CO2 emissions of 99g/km for the Motion manual. The CVT's fuel figure is 58.8mpg.

I sampled the Ultra manual version and had no trouble in returning more than 60mpg without really trying.

Still instantly recognisable as a Swift, the new car has blacked out pillars, L-shaped signature lamps, piano-black front grille and a wider rear bumper design.

It looks cool and owners can also select a two-tone effect if they opt for a separate roof colour as a £650 option.

The cabin is nowvery modern and boasts comfortable seats and a nine-inch infotainment display while standard kit tops most rivals andincludes the likes of 16-inch alloys, sat nav, rear view camera, keyless entry and start, LED headlamps and a wireless smartphone link audio display.

The Swift boasts lots of safety features including a blind spot monitor, lane departure warning plus weaving alert, a driver monitoring system, rear cross traffic alert, adaptive cruise control and upgraded brake support.

The Swift has always been fun to drive and that is still the case with front wheel drive and a nice five-speed manual transmission. It feels well planted on the motorway and on country roads with sweeping and tight bends.

It has a more solid and premium feel to it than the car it replaces and although it is not flashy and full of soft materials, the cabin feels like it is built to last. It also has a nice steering wheel.

It alwaysfeels willing and quicker than the 0-62 in 12.5 seconds figure suggests before going on to a top speed of 103mph, while the three-pot engine delivers a nice note.

The boot offers 265 litres of space but the rear seats can be folded to allow for bigger loads.

Suzuki Connect connected services are offered free of charge for three years from the vehicle registration date and a Service Activated Warranty is also offered free after the manufacturer warranty expires and until the car reaches seven years/100,000 miles.