ON THE ROAD: IT'S a tough world out there and if you are small then you have to be stand up to the challenge.

The Suzuki Jimny certainly fits that bill. It's been around in its current guise since 1998 and it's just about managing to hang on against increasingly sophisticated opposition.

In a time where off-roaders are becoming soft-roaders, the unashamedly retro Jimny strikes a blow for tradition. It's a no frills - or even thrills - 4x4 that is a more than willing workhorse, but comes undone when introduced to civilisation.

We tackled little more than a few rutted tracks and the Jimny coped admirably here, but on the open road it was a different story.

The 1.3 litre petrol engine feels somewhat weedy - 14.1 seconds from nought to 62mph and a top speed of 87mph - so overtaking manoeuvres are best left to the brave. And the ride is, well, challenging at best.

ON THE INSIDE: THE cabin is workmanlike and more akin to something from a decade or more ago. There is certainly no wow factor. But in a car where muck and grime are likely to an integral part of the decor this is probably no bad thing. There are clocks and dials where you would expect them to be and everything is big, chunky and comes easy to hand.

It's a noisy cabin, there's no escaping the sound of the engine and the bluff shape and big mirrors mean wind noise is ever present, so long journeys are to be contemplated at length before being embarked upon.

It's easy to see out of and its small dimensions mean there's little chance of hitting anything unawares.

WHAT DO YOU GET: THERE are two versions a 1.3 petrol - like our test car - and a 1.3 litre four-speed automatic. Our SZ4 badged car came with among a few other things, electronic stability control, ABS with brake assist, remote central locking, electric front windows, power steering, gear-shift indicator, digital clock, synthetic leather seats, manual air conditioning, electrically adjustable and heated folding door mirrors, CD tuner with two speakers, 15ins alloys, rear privacy glass, roof rails and three spoke leather-covered steering wheel.

HOW PRACTICAL IS IT: THERE'S only room for four and even then its a little cramped. Wherever you sit you feel somewhat hemmed in, especially in the rear where the storage bins cut into cabin space.

The boot is also very small - at 113 litres - and increases to 324 litres at best. The side opening rear door is heavy and while not an issue if there is space around, it can prove problematic in car parks.

As mentioned previously, its size means it's far easier to navigate than others of its ilk and in the right hands I reckon it could pretty much go anywhere - or at least where there's no tarmac.

RUNNINGS COSTS: SUZUKI say it should be possible to get a return of 39.8mpg on the combined cycle, which isn't great to be honest and CO2 emissions are high at 162g/km.

VERDICT: IT will have its admirers somewhere, but in reality it's light years behind the opposition.

ALTERNATIVES: FIAT Panda 4x4