On the road: IF you want a hot hatch that fulfils all of the requirements demanded from the breed then you need look no further than the Swift Sport.

It’s design might not be outlandish enough for some, bearing just a few modifications from its subtler siblings, but it still catches the eye.

And while it might seem light on power – just 1.6 litres under the bonnet – its lightweight construction means that it still packs a punch. Nought to 62mph comes in 8.7 seconds and the top speed is 121mph.

You have to work the six-speed box to get the best out of it, mind, but for me that all adds to the driving experience.

On top of that it displays go-kart characteristics. Turn in sharply and the Swift just goes wherever you want it to. Changing lanes goes from being a mundane pursuit to a real hoot.

The Northern Echo:

On the inside: THE interior is ergonomically pleasing and there are a few touches here and there that mark it out from the rest of the clan. However, there isn’t much in the way of colour, the cabin divided in the main between black and silver and some rivals have the edge when it comes to out and out quality.

Big windows mean it’s light and airy and vision is good in whichever direction you choose.

We drove to London and back from the North-East and at no time did I feel the need to stop due to the aches and pains suffered in other cars.

What do you get: ABOVE and beyond the usual adornments, the Sport comes with fog lamps, cruise control, Bluetooth connectivity, HID projector headlights with wash and rear privacy glass. It also has ESP and seven airbags as standard. A mention should be made of the stereo which looks a little aftermarket but does the job regardless.

The Northern Echo:

How practical is it: WE drove the five-door version, which added to the practicality. However, there is a premium on top of the three-door alternative.

We carried two adults and three children with minimum fuss, but legroom would be at a premium if the rear seat passengers were older. There’s plenty of headroom thanks to the high roofline.

The boot is quite narrow, but again you can stack things fairly high if need be. There’s 211 litres of space with the seats up, rising to 512 with them down, although they don’t fold fully flat. We managed a weekend away without the need to store luggage elsewhere in the cabin.

Running costs: THE Swift Sport fares well in terms of initial outlay coming in at £14,499 for the five-door - £500 cheaper if you opt for three.

You should manage around 45mpg unless you wring its neck on a regular basis. CO2 emissions are 147g/km. The tax band is F and insurance group is 19A.

Verdict: A GREAT drive and a great price and that might be enough to see off rivals.

Alternatives: MINI Cooper S, Ford Fiesta