by Al Shield

Created on: April 14, 2010   Last Updated: April 15, 2010

I’ll admit that I have not had much fun taking small cars out for a burl. To me most small cars feel like medium cars that have run through the ringer of a washing machine and not only has everything shrunk, vital parts of the entertainment of driving have been washed away never to be seen again. I’ve had the displeasure of hitting the road with quite a few models that fall under the small category including the pitiful and clearly forgotten Ford Ka, the ‘I’m not sure if I’ve driving or programming a computer here’ Toyota Prius Hybrid and Death in a Lunchbox, my name of affliction for my ex girlfriends Daewoo Matiz.

However I will happily point out the exception to the small car rule – the Mini is brilliant fun to drive and gets you plenty of attention. The VW beetle (the older versions, I’m not a fan of the newer) just have oodles of character. The Peugeot #06 varieties are very zippy and fun loving and the Ford Focus seems  surprisingly well put together and does what you ask it to.

And after trying out a fifth generation Suzuki Swift for the last week or so, it comes as a surprise for someone like myself who’s fonder of cars medium size and up to utter the unbelievable words ‘You know what? I really like this little Suzuki. I’d buy one.’

I’m sure the cult of medium sized cars just tore up my membership after confessing that but it’s the absolute truth – the little white vehicle we dubbed ‘Swifty’ has actually changed my views on small cars. Well one’s with the name ‘Swift’ anyway.

For my last holiday we hired out a white 2009 Swift with just a touch under 10 thousand clicks on the dial – just run in really. The first thing you notice is it’s styling. I’d say a mix of Mini and a Renault or too that still make it look funky without being too girly or ugly ends like the Renault Megaune. 

Next up came its Tardis like qualities. It looks small on the inside, yet it sits four on the inside. And I underline sits because you can fit four average sized (not big) people in this thing unlike other small cars that require the front seats folded down and then a masters degree in Yoga just to climb into. The seats are comfortable but not body hugging and it doesn’t feel like you’re wedged into a shoebox when in the drivers seat. It’s not the most luxurious thing on the inside but it doesn’t look cheap

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