Back in the days of endless summers, quarter acre sections and school milk we rode around in big 6 or 8 cylinder cars unconcerned about the price of fuel or the damage we were doing to the environment. After all, petrol only cost a couple of quid a gallon and small cars were considered dangerous so the more hard metal around us the better or so we thought.

But times and events have changed. The long summer was just a myth, the quarter acre sections have long since been sub-divided and school milk went out with the black and white TV. Petrol is now an expensive commodity and we've discovered seat-belts and airbags provide better protection than even the hardest steel dashboards. And smaller cars are now roomy, fun and safe.

In many congested European cities big cars have been seen as anti-social for a long time. We've been slow to see the sun set on big heavy metal in this part of the world, but the sales statistics show we're increasingly choosing small cars.

Just a few years ago, in 2004, the small (AB) segment accounted for just 9% of the total new vehicle market. By 2008, that total had almost doubled to a 19% market share, and there's every sign that 25% is in sight.

Many small cars are now getting 4 or 5 Star safety ratings. Fuel efficiency and CO2 emissions are increasingly becoming high considerations for car buyers and our traffic congestion problems are rapidly catching up with those overseas.

Small cars are making a lot more sense. With this in mind, we have put two popular small cars under the microscope, the Suzuki Swift GLX Auto,and the Toyota Yaris 1.5 Auto.

We've all heard it said that there are no bad cars these days, and that is probably true. Even looking at some of the smallest and least expensive cars on the market, they're all pretty good today.

But life is full of compromises and no car can be all things to all people. Getting 2 similar models together, we were always going to like certain aspects of one car, but prefer other features of its rivals.

When comparing the Yaris 1.5,to the Swift GLX , the toyota offers the most equipment and it's a lively performer too.

However, we didn't like some of the characteristics exhibited by the automatic transmission. Lift off the throttle and the car wants to nose dive into the tarmac, creating something of a see-saw action. Also, the center mounted digital instrument cluster arrangement has never really appealed, although it does make way for a second glove box where the instruments would normally be.

The toyota is a good car but we struggle with the price tag.

With value for money and sharp pricing being at the front of everyone's mind in this economic climate, it's hard to justify this amount of outlay when the other cars can be bought for considerably less.

So, if we eliminate the toyota on price, how did the swift match up?

The Suzuki Swift is probaly the prettiest car. There are good levels of equipment and safety features, and we like the way it handles and drives.

Seating is supportive and cabin ambiance impressed. Switchgear and instruments are simple and well laid out, and low intrusive noise levels combined with a comfortable ride quality would have to put the Swift in the running here.

On the deficit side of the ledger the engine is a little short on power but is considerable cheaper complete with a very capable automatic transmission.

If price is no object and you particularly like the Yaris, you will end up with a very good car. With Toyota's bullet-proof reliability and long lasting qualities, you can't go wrong with a Toyota.But if you take cost, build quality, specification and all round like ability into account, the Suzuki Swift is the car we'd most like to live with and just pips the Toyota Yaris to the post.

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Style plays a big roll in the triumphs of the M Class it's, instantly recognizable; the Mercedes-Benz family has set the standard for luxury and class. With better performance than its foes the M Class is the definitive high-tech luxury vehicle available to consumers who need features and prestige.

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The Mercedes-Benz M Class has a 3,498-cc DOHC 24-valve V-6 alloy 268-horsepower motor. The transmission for the M Class has an selectable digitally controlled 7-speed automatic with RWD. The transmission enlists Touch Shift which allows the driver to manually downshift and allows upshifts by clicking the shift knob left or right from the Drive position. Shifting into Optimum Gear allows one-touch selection of the best gear for maximum acceleration or motor braking, or there is a driver-controllable Comfort Mode which starts the M Class moving in 2nd gear or second Reverse gear, and upshifts at lower rpm, which gives the driver more control on slippery roads.

Braking is a large part of driving a performance vehicle. The M Class enlists, Antilock Braking System, ABS senses impending wheel lockup under heavy braking and pumps the front brakes individually or the rear brakes together as needed up to 30 times per second. Brake Assist, BAS senses emergency braking via the speed at which the driver presses the brake pedal and simultaneously applies maximum available power boost, drastically reducing the overall stopping distance by eliminating the delay caused by a common driver tendency not to brake hard enough, soon enough.

The M Class restraint system enlists, a side-impact air bag, an Active Front Head Restraint, 3-point seat belt with an Emergency Tensioning Device, rear center passenger is provided with a 3-point seat belt. As for the M Class' security features, SmartKey remote control which integrates remote door unlock, trunk opener, removable valet key, and panic alarm, dual-stage front air bags, Occupant Classification System, and Active Front Head Restraints which help reduce the chances of whiplash-type injuries.

Everyone is different and needs different things from their Mercedes-Benz, M Class optional features: 18-inch AMG twin 5-spoke alloy rims, iPod Integration Kit, Panorama sunroof, rear view camera, leather upholstery, and Burl Walnut trim. Optional packages include: The Premium Package 1 includes: a hard-drive-based navigation and Zagat® guide for restaurants, hotels, and golf, a 6GB Music Register for download of music files, SIRIUS® Satellite Radio with real-time SIRIUS Traffic, iPod/MP3 media interface, rear-view camera, and heated front seating. The Premium Package 2 includes all features included in package 1, plus: Bi-Xenon headlamps, LED taillamps, a power rear sunshade, and split-folding rear seats. The Multimedia Package includes: a seven-inch power-retractable color display, COMAND system with hard-drive navigation and Zagat® guide, Enhanced Voice Control, in-dash six-disc DVD/CD changer, in-dash PCMCIA memory card reader, and a 6GB hard-drive with Music Register.