SUZUKI is winning over more and more fans with its choice of small, cheap and reliable cars. And now there’s another good reason to look to the Japanese brand.

With record UK sales of 37,395 last year, the company is shaking up the mix of its products, leaving only the Swift, S Cross and Jimny of the current range on the forecourt.

First of the newcomers is the Celerio, which replaces the smaller Alto city car and the Splash mini-MPV.

If you are looking for great value in a small car, then this has to be on your shopping list.

At £7,999 the SZ3 entry version not only includes ESP, air conditioning, alloy wheels, DAB radio, CD tuner, USB and Bluetooth connectivity, but will also deliver an average 65.7mpg and you won’t have to fork out any road tax.

For an extra £1,000 you can choose the alternative SZ4 model, which adds superior alloy wheels, body-coloured door mirrors, chrome front grille, front fog lamps, electric door mirrors, rear electric windows and a couple of extra speakers.

With only these two models to choose from, Suzuki has kept things simple, and expects the majority of buyers to opt for the SZ3.

There’s no doubt that Suzuki has taken a gamble on ousting the popular Alto (which sold for as little as £5,999) in favour of the Celerio.

But with its list of attributes and promise of more space for passengers and extra luggage capacity, the Celerio will prove attractive. Maybe not to the sort of buyer who would normally go for a Fiat 500 or Mini, because the Celerio does not possess the personality and style to tempt them, but there are plenty of drivers out there looking for cheap and reliable alternatives.

Employing better suspension and an improved version of the three-cylinder 1.0-litre engine that powered the Splash and Alto, the Celerio is primarily a city car, but it will still scoot along quite happily at motorway speeds.

Acceleration is only mediocre, as one might expect, but in its natural environment it delivers a smooth drive and is a doddle to manoeuvre.

The Celerio, which is only available as a five-door, exceeds A-segment standards and offers class-leading space both inside the cabin and in the boot, which at 254 litres is twice as big as that found in the Alto. There’s a 60/40 split on the rear seats, too, if the need for extra capacity arises.

As a six-footer, I am often left wanting by the amount of space given to rear seat passengers, even in larger premium brand offerings, but the Celerio easily accommodated my frame without my knees touching the back of the front seats and with plenty of headroom. There’s plenty of room for two adults, and even a third at a squeeze.

Behind the wheel, you are conscious of the slightly raised driving position, which makes for not only a good view of the road but also makes entry and exit very easy – something drivers of a certain age will appreciate.

There are six exterior colours to choose from, while the interior colour is predominantly black with a clear dashboard layout that Suzuki owners will be familiar with.

The Celerio choice is not limited to the two manual transmission offerings. There’s also an automated manual version on its way in April that will still match the manual version’s 99g/km CO2 emissions and average fuel economy of 65.7mpg.

I’m not a fan of this type of transmission, and in a short road test found myself much happier using the gear lever in manual mode rather than relying on the automatic movement through the gears which tends to dictate your acceleration inputs.

But for now, Suzuki has again delivered another smashing little car that has broader appeal and is better than the Alto and Splash.

At a glance...

Suzuki Celerio SZ3
Price: £7,999
Engine: Three-cylinder 1.0-litre petrol producing 68bhp
Transmission: Five-speed manual (automated manual available)
Performance: 0 to 62mph in 13.5 seconds; top speed 96mph
Economy: 65.7mpg combined
CO2 emissions: 99g/km