KEY POINTS:
Jimny: Yes, Suzuki does still make it. On the verge of entering its 10th year, the Jimny is pretty much as it was back in 1998 - box-like, bouncy and sparsely equipped.
You can look at the Jimny in one of two ways - it's a tiny city car with a high driving position and parking-friendly dimensions, or a mountain-goat of an off-road machine with incredible approach/departure angles, a tough ladder chassis and a proper selectable 4WD system (now electronically actuated). It represents a lot of compact-car for your money.
City first. The Jimny ain't pretty, but it will probably appeal to some supermini buyers who want an anti-fashion statement as much as small and nippy.
You can see a long way down the road from the (slightly) elevated driving position, although your view is somewhat distorted by the bouncy ride. Just like a real off-roader, then - except that at just 3645mm in length, you can park it virtually anywhere.
Truth be told, the Jimny was always supposed to be a traditional mud-plugger. It's relatively light (less than 1200kg) and has enormous clearance underneath, so will go places a Land Rover might fear to tread.
Same old story, except there is something new under the bonnet - the Jimny now has a modern 1.3-litre engine with variable valve timing. It's still horribly noisy and low-geared if you do any motorway driving, but the new powerplant is also sprightly and economical if you treat it kindly.
And if there's another sub-$20k city car capable of leery power-oversteer slides - the Jimny is rear-drive with high-profile tyres, remember - we have yet to drive it.
How much? $16,990.
Engine and transmission: 1.3-litre petrol four producing 63kW/110Nm, 5-speed manual with low-range, part-time four-wheel-drive.
Performance: 0-100km/h in 14.1 seconds, Combined economy of 7.3 litres per 100km.
- Detours, HoS
