Shortly before the arrival of our diesel Suzuki SX4 S-cross we had a petrol 1.6 model on test.

The first thing that struck me was that the petrol engine seemed to be straining at higher speeds, yearning  for a sixth gear that wasn’t available. Thankfully, however, this isn’t a problem with our diesel because it has that extra gear. Sticking with the gearbox, reverse is also easier to engage in the diesel, aided by a ‘collar’ on the lever that has to be pulled up before shifting.

That ‘collar’ is absent on the petrol, and locating reverse in that gearbox can be a struggle. Meanwhile, according to the cars’ own calculations, as displayed on their instrument panels, diesel fuel economy was predictably about 10mpg better too, at 52.7mpg versus 42.3mpg.

The petrol model is though £1500 cheaper. Finally, in my view, the Suzuki looks better in the Cool White Pearl Metallic paint job on our car than the Silky Silver Metallic finish (both cost £430), although as with any white vehicle, it’s a battle to keep it looking pristine in the middle of winter.