Suzuki Liana 1.6 GLX auto

The revised Liana is spacious, comfortable and economical. For some buyers, that will be enough - but there are far better deals on offer. Although it looks reasonably priced on paper, this Suzuki isn't the great value package that it might first appear.

There are people in the Auto Express office who can identify a car simply by squinting at its wheeltrims. Give them an indicator lens, and they will name the model it came off instantly. But when we left Suzuki's facelifted Liana in the car park, even they needed to sneak round to the boot to see the badge.

It's not that the revised car looks much different to the one it replaces. In fact, the visual changes are limited to an extra bar in the radiator grille, new rubbing strips and fresh bumper mouldings. It's more that the Liana has always been a rather nondescript offering in the compact family car sector.

There are so few on British roads that you hardly ever see them, leaving even the most ardent motoring enthusiast reaching for their copy of the Observer's Book of Cars. Yet the Liana has undergone quite a few changes, the most significant of which is a completely revamped interior.

There's a new dash, complete with a silver plastic insert, while the dials are modified to include fresh analogue gauges and an extra information display, which shows the time and external temperature. The finish is better than the previous Liana, but still feels cheap compared to some rivals. Standard kit includes air-con, a CD player and steering wheel-mounted audio controls. There are also four airbags, front foglights and electric windows, making the Suzuki very good value.But while the Liana does well on paper, it fails in practice. We drove the automatic version, and found it to be coarse, unrefined and equipped with one of the least satisfying self-shifting gearboxes we have ever used. The three-speed transmission tends to hunt for ratios while cruising, and practically every gearchange is accompanied by an uncomfortable and annoying jolt.

Our experience of Suzuki's manual models in the past suggests these are a better bet. Yet even then, the intrusive engine note, over-assisted steering, excessive body roll and spongy brakes make the car a very average choice in a highly competitive marketplace.

While the Liana offers roomy, economical and reliable motoring at a sensible price, it's not great to drive. With new - and superior - budget vehicles from Kia and Daewoo on sale, plus run-out versions of the current Ford Focus being offered at less than £10,000, the Suzuki's appeal is limited.