Suzuki's tie-in with Toyota has brought us a few tempting highlights in recent years, with the Across Rav4 clone serving up a premium SUV under the Suzuki brand, and the Swace and the Corolla-derived Swace neatly filling a compact-estate slot.

We're being led to believe estate cars are no longer flavour of the month, but the Corolla famously sells in vast numbers, so it feels like a sensible platform on which to add a low-emission, practical family load-lugger.

It's attractive too, especially now the Swace has had an elegant facelift. The Corolla looks its best with the elongated "Touring" boot polishing off its proportions, and the Swace is barely any different to the Toyota.

Cleverly, if not cheekily, the Swace undercuts its Toyota cousin on price, if you look at them spec-for-spec. And although there are only two versions in the Suzuki camp, the Motion and the Ultra, equipment is generous on both counts.

An unquestionable benefit of developing the Swace is being able to add a low-emission car to its line-up, which brings its average C02 figures down and opens up a bit of room for the other 4x4s in the range. By borrowing someone else's tried and tested technology, this represents a cheap way of keeping the bean-counters happy. And it's a boon for loyal Suzuki customers, too.

Because the Swace is a lovely car to live with.

The interior hasn't changed all that much in the facelifted model, but it's a sensible layout, with more technology bundled in, such as wireless Apple Car Play and some great safety kit such as collision warning and safe-exit.

The infotainment system has always been one of Toyota's weak links, and the eight-inch unit in the console of the Swace isn't brilliant, but it functions OK, and it's great to see some physical buttons.

Build quality is top-notch though, and the cabin is a comfortable place to sit. Rear passenger space is as good as you should expect from an estate, and boot space is good for its class, with 596-litres available with the seats up.

Another welcome tweak in the facelifted Swace is a higher 140hp output from the full-hybrid engine. It's an additional 20bhp over the predecessor, and makes a noticeable difference in all kinds of driving scenarios.

The updated car can accelerate from 0–62mph in 9.4 seconds and has CO2 emissions of 102g/km. Compare this to the outgoing Swace's 0-60 run and you can see how healthy the new power output has made the acceleration.

Predictably enough, the Swace's handling is the same as the Corolla's, but that's no bad thing. It's a joy in the urban sprawl, comfortable and compliant on the motorways and not at its best on B-roads, largely thanks to the CVT gearbox, but sure-footed enough and nicely composed.

Suzuki doesn't expect the Swace to sell in vast numbers, but I struggle to fathom why. If you're interested in the Corolla I can't understand why you wouldn't pay Suzuki a visit too.

I had a play with the configurators and, while the options are more limited on a Swace, it does undercut the Corolla. And I guess it just comes down to badge snobbery beyond that.

But personally, I'd have no problem driving around in a Suzuki. It's a brand that rarely puts a foot wrong, offers great dealer support and some fine finance deals.

And if it just comes down to value over vanity, then I know where my heart would lie.