We review the Suzuki Baleno from price to economy and all its features

YOU can spot the average Suzuki driver a mile off.

Short hair, sensible shoes, cagoule – and they’ve always got time to stop and chat. Here’s another clue . . .  I’ve printed this text in bigger letters.

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That’s right, Suzukis are mostly driven by older people.

And older means wiser. They want value. They want practicality. They want substance not style. That’s why the little Celerio is doing so well.

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It’s no looker but it ticks all the boxes at £6,999. Nice high riding position, good kit, 62mpg in the real world and free road tax. But is it big enough to ferry around gangly grandkids?

Not really.

And we all know grandparents do most of the childcare these days.

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So here’s your answer. The all-new Suzuki Baleno, which hits showrooms next month from £12,999. Finance starts at £159 a month with £1,680 deposit – or £199 with nothing upfront.

Now the Baleno has the biggest rear legroom in its class. It’s quite remarkable really.
And it kills the Fiesta, Corsa and Polo for boot space.

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There’s two engine choices. The brilliant 1-litre three-cylinder Boosterjet (62mpg, £20 road tax) and the 1.2-litre mild hybrid (70mpg, free road tax) starting at £13,499.

I tested the hybrid and it was a peach. It sets off in silence, rides well and has feather-light steering.

Even the cheapest SZ-T has 7in touchscreen with satnav, reversing camera, electric front windows, air-con and six airbags.

The £13,999 SZ-5 adds auto emergency braking and adaptive cruise control (it stops when the car in front stops).

VERDICT: Wise buy. Check it out, grandad.