Jimny is cuter but tougher

Before the improvements, the Jimny sold a monthly average of 60 a month in 2009. This crept up to 65 a month in 2010, 66 in 2011, 78 in 2012 and in January this year it sold 91.

Besides its guy appeal as a tough off-roader, the cute little wagon has also found a spot in the hearts of ladies who are buying 45% of all new Jimny's sold in this country. This probably explains why I have seen quite a few Jimny's in Cape Town dressed in cutesy-coo pink driven by smiling women.

My wife spent a day or two scooting around town in our test vehicle and she has fallen in love with to such an extent that her trusty Japanese sedan's future in our household is at risk.

Love... well, like at first sight

I have liked the Jimny from the time I first scampered up and down some ugly mountains in it at the media launch in 2008 and during a number of upgraded model test drives since then. Thank goodness, the clever guys with the thick glasses in Suzuki's R&D department decided not to re-invent the wheel when they upgraded the latest version it, confining their labours to giving it a new bonnet, a macho air scoop, and a subtly re-designed bumper and grille. They also embedded the fog lights on either side of the air intake and lowered the scuff plate to decrease the risk of damage during rock climbing expeditions.

To add to the comfort and practicality of the cabin they redesigned the front and rear headrests so that it now allows the rear seats to be folded flat without the need to remove the head restraints. Smarter cloth trim now also adds a bit of class to the seats.

From a safety perspective, the latest Jimny now also has ISOFIX child seat anchor points, which augment an array of active and passive safety features that includes ABS anti-lock brakes, dual SRS front airbags and three-point inertia reel seatbelts.

Squeezed in under its stubby bonnet is the same trusty 1.3-litre engine linked to a five-speed manual box and a low-range transfer case. This threesome, combined with the Jimny's light weight, raised ride height and extended suspension travel, gives it the kind of rough terrain abilities you would usually only expect from larger, much more expensive stubble-bearded 4x4's.

Looks that just seem to say 'Come on, try me'

But it is not only the Jimny's cocky looks that appeal to both sexes. Although not exactly spacious the little terrier boasts with air-con, remote central locking, electrically operated windows and mirrors, power steering, a FM Stereo/AM receiver with CD front-loader and an integrated alarm/immobiliser system.

OK, so you have to clamber up into the cockpit, the ride is elbow-to-elbow and quite bouncy, it doesn't corner like a hot hatch, packing space with four up is not exactly generous and you have to really slam the doors to shut them properly -- but hey, it oozes presence and personality.

It's not the sort of vehicle that you will buy if you regularly travel long distances and treasure your comfort, but if most of your trips entail whizzing around town during the week and heading for the outdoors at weekends then there is nothing in its price range that will do the job better. Or look as nice.

Its recommended dealer price is R198,900, which includes a four-year/60,000km service plan and a three-year/100,000km warranty. The permanent smile on your face when you drive it comes free....

(All images extracted from the Suzuki website)

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