This month I spent some time driving a BMW 5-Series. Not a natural competitor to the Swift Sport, I grant you, but it did put some perspective on why the Suzuki’s steering isn’t quite right.

The Beemer’s a hefty thing, yet when you turn the wheel there’s a crisp and linear reaction, whereas the Swift feels a bit woolly until you’ve got more lock on. If a fat 530i can manage instant sharpness, why can’t a hyperactive buzz-box?

Still, at least people seem to have a genuine affection for the Suzuki. In the BMW, all that careful steering set-up can’t offset the sense that other road users think you’re a queue-cutting dick.