The cute Japanese city car that does 78mpg and can be bought new for £5,600

The cost of new cars has risen spectacularly in the past decade, with the cheapest model on the market increasing from £5,995 in 2015 to more than £14,000 today.

However, whilst the cost of new car components is increasing across the world, there are still plenty of affordable models sold in other countries, including Japan.

Despite the Land of the Rising Sun's reputation for its high cost of living, Japanese drivers are able to get behind the wheel of a considerable number of models that are cheaper than any new car sold in the UK.

One of the most affordable is the Suzuki Alto, a boxy yet particularly cute city car with an entry-level price of 1,064,800 yen (£5,632).

As a result, the basic Suzuki is nearly £9,000 cheaper than the UK's most affordable car and more than £11,000 less than the entry-level Fiat 500 Hybrid.

The Suzuki Alto is one of a wide variety of 'kei cars' available almost uniquely to the Japanese market.

First established in the 1940s as a way to encourage more residents to buy a car, these vehicles have to follow strict regulations to keep them affordable to buy and run.

As a result, the Alto is slightly smaller than most cars sold in the UK, spanning just 3.4 metres long and less than 1.5 metres wide. In comparison, the best-selling Ford Puma, which many Brits consider a compact crossover, is nearly 70cm longer and 30cm wider.

However, despite its small size, the little Suzuki is still able to seat four passengers and a very considerable amount of storage spaces located throughout the interior.

The tight restrictions over the Alto's dimensions give the car a rather boxy appearance, including a rather flat front end and steep sloping rear that is more like a van than a hatchback.

However, Suzuki has given the model a number of touches to keep it looking cute, including a pair of large rounded headlights separated by a thin chrome bar and carefully sculpted front and rear bumpers.

Many of the high-end models also feature a wide range of two-tone paintwork schemes, with some sold with a red body and white roof, similar to many of the original Mini Coopers.

Like almost all kei cars, the Suzuki Alto features a minuscule 660cc engine with mild-hybrid technology, which allows the Japanese car to reach a top speed of 86mph and return up to 78mpg with careful driving.

The entry-level version of the Alto is understandably basic, but still features manual air conditioning, electric front windows, and keyless entry.

However, some luxuries expected on a new car sold in the UK are missing, with buyers of the basic version having to fit their own radio and wheel trims.