As we approach winter, many rural motorists will perhaps be considering purchasing a car with 4x4 capability. Smaller SUVs have been the way forward, but increasingly the option to send drive to all wheels is only available on the pricier top-spec models.

However, there is another way. Suzuki offered an all-wheel drive version of its last generation Swift, and I am pleased to report that it is now an option on the latest incarnation. So, compact proportions, modest purchase price and the ability to keep going when the traditional front-wheel drive hatch has slithered to an undignified halt.

The new Swift 4WD is clearly charged with the same job description and I have just enjoyed a week behind the wheel to see if this latest version measures up. No snow or ice, but my rural location means that there are plenty of local tracks and grassy knolls to be conquered.

Let’s start with the new Swift itself. It’s a distinctive car and one which brings a certain sense of style and fun to the shrinking supermini class. Swifts drive well, thanks to their great chassis and peppy three-cylinder engines.

The new 1.2-litre Mild Hybrid engine boasts a modest 82hp. That doesn’t sound a lot, but the Swift is a positive lightweight, weighing in at under 1,000kg. A 0-62mph sprint time of 13.6 seconds is quoted for the AWD version, but in all fairness the car feels far quicker than that in real world driving and remains reasonably refined when cruising at motorway speeds.

Ride comfort impressed for one so small, though the trade-off is perhaps a tad more body roll when cornering at higher speeds. I doubt would-be owners will mind in the least. I certainly didn’t.

On the inside there’s space for four adults to travel in a good deal of comfort, though legroom in the rear is tight for taller occupants. Front seats are heated and are of a new design with reshaped cushioning between the shoulders and side bolsters for a more sculptured look. They proved to be both comfortable and supportive, so no complaints there. Visibility is good all round and all major controls fall easily to hand.

The centre console is angled towards the driver and is fitted with a nine-inch infotainment system. It is certainly better than what has gone before, and Apple Car Play and Android Auto come fitted as standard. Heater controls are on a separate panel and are easy to use. The boot is 265 litres in size, increasing to 589 litres when the rear seats are folded away. There is room under the boot floor for a space saver wheel and tyre.

In the dry, there is barely any noticeable difference in the driving experience compared to the front-wheel drive model. However, the ALLGRIP AUTO four-wheel drive system transfers additional torque to the rear wheels when required via a viscous coupling. It’s a clever and relatively simple system which should prove to be both useful and trouble free.

I took the Swift on some of my local tracks, all accomplished with ease. The hardest challenge I could find was a damp, grassy hill. The nimble off-road warrior climbed up much further than I expected and I was unaware of the power being shifted to the rear wheels to aid grip. I would spec some All Season tyres to improve things still further.

The AWD Swift does boast an extra 25mm of ground clearance, but even so, the worst sort of gnarly tracks are best avoided. The low-slung rear differential looks a tad vulnerable, but hopefully it is more robust than it looks.

So, is the AWD version of the Swift worth the extra outlay? You can only have the extra traction in the top-spec Ultra trim, the premium a modest £1,250 taking the list price to £22,049. For those in need of all year round mobility regardless of the weather, undoubtedly. And when the 4x4 capabilities are not required, you will enjoy a sweet-driving, stylish, compact hatch with modest running costs and Japanese reliability.

Pros
4x4 capability for little extra outlay
Handling, ride comfort and fun factor
High level of equipment
Economical
Cons
Modest 1,200cc engine
Small boot

Fast Facts
Suzuki Swift 1.2 Hybrid Ultra ALLGRIP
Price £22,049 as tested
Swift range from £19,699
3-cylinder 1,197cc engine
82 PS and 112 Nm torque
0-62mph in 13.6 seconds
Emissions – 110g/km CO2
Combined economy 56.6mpg