Suzuki Swift Sport review – the back-to-basics drivers' hatch - Interior and tech

To set the tone inside, the Sport gets bolstered seats and contrasting stitching as standard. ‘Sport’ lettering stitched into the seats and metal-look pedals help to confirm the car’s focus. It's neat but hardly exciting, and some of the Suzuki's bargain price tag can be explained by the downmarket-feeling plastics used widely throughout the cabin.

There’s lots of standard kit, too, with a leather-wrapped steering wheel – complete with controls for media and Bluetooth – climate control and keyless entry and go all included. In fact, all options available in the Swift range are included as standard on the Sport, making it a proper ‘kitchen sink-spec’ model. And now, with DAB and satnav joining the list, you get even more for your sub-£14k warm hatch.

The small touchscreen is refreshingly responsive - its pace shames the SYNC system used in the Ford Fiesta - and the sound system is impressive too. But the infotainment voice recognition's inability to understand simple commands can get frustrating; we left it alone and opted to stick with the steering wheel mounted buttons for radio and phone control.

As in many sporty hatchbacks, the height-adjustable seat could lower a little more - actually, we wouldn't mind trimming a good two inches from its height - but there is at least a wide range of adjustability with the height- and rake-adjustable steering wheel. 

Five-door models also get an extra seat (rear middle) added to make the Sport a five-seater. These rear passengers get electric windows, too. Oddly, the Swift manages to pull off the five-door look rather well, so for the added practicality it brings, it’s an understandably popular option.