Suzuki Jimny   Women's view

Can A Tiny 4x4 Really Makes As Much Sense For The Urban Woman As A More Conventional Supermini? Vanessa Hinkley Decides At The Wheel Of Suzukis Little Jimny

Suzukis Jimny seems to have all the credentials that are needed to succeed in todays world of multi-functional motors. After all, small cars have never been in such great demand - and the same can safely be said for off-roaders. Whether most owners of 4X4s actually tackle mud instead of tarmac is another question, and one to which the vast majority will give a negative answer. Having said that, those owners would usually say that its good to have the choice and thats exactly what the Jimny has to offer.

This is a car with genuine off-road prowess, yet its extremely compact: small enough to fit into the tightest space. Thanks to flared wheelarches, bulky side panels, roof rails and spare wheel on the tailgate, the Jimny isnt a girlie looking car which, in my case, gives it immediate appeal. However, Im not really into rugged interiors, so Im pleased to say that the inside is pretty close to what youd expect from an every day family hatchback.

(I wouldnt usually mention price at this point, but I feel compelled to mention the fact that this Jimny only costs £7,999). Like most of todays small three-door cars, the four-passenger capacity doesnt translate too well to long journeys. However, if you think of the Jimny as more of a two-seater, all you need to do is put the rear bench down and youll have plenty of room for luggage. Those who arent called upon to ferry family and pets around on regular basis should find this car a very practical companion for both town and country driving.

Once behind the wheel I loved the Jimnys high seating position. Although Im not particularly short, I find a lot of cars give me the impression that Im looking up at through windscreen, rather than sitting squarely behind it. This car didnt make me feel vertically challenged at all - allowing excellent all-round visibility. The Jimnys 1.

3-litre 16v engine is a strong unit given its size. Though its obviously doesnt offer sportscar-like performance, its very economical. Whats more, when youre sick of the streets, you can find some mud, select four-wheel drive and have some fun. The Jimny features Suzuki's 'Drive Select' system which can be put into place while on the move. Over reasonably rough terrain, the little Suzuki feels very confident, thanks to its tough ladder frame chassis, a standard design feature that many small off roaders lack.

As I said earlier, the Jimny is cheap to buy and to run. In case you missed it, this car is priced at £7,999. This buys you a three-door JLX - which comes with electric front windows, power steering, front airbags, radio and central locking as standard. ABS can also be specified, as, crucially for a town car, can automatic transmission (an option not available on many citycar rivals).

Fort the same money, you could also opt for a soft top version which sounds good but is noisy on the move and has a rather fiddly roof mechanism. As weve come to expect from Suzuki, there is a huge range of accessories available to buyers. This allows you to personalise your car by adding front guards, alloy wheels, grille covers and surrounds for the multi-reflector headlamps. There are also rear spoilers, body graphics and 'themed' spare wheel covers. Bear in mind, however, that these things are personal, so wont necessarily appeal to whoever buys your Jimny when its time for a change.

I could certainly live with a Jimny, but as ever, Id have to change my lifestyle if this were to be my only car. If I was young, free and single or any one of the three, this little Suzuki could be the car for me.