THERE are certain things you have to accept before buying a Suzuki Jimny - but an expensive price-tag isn't one of them.

For a shade over £12,000 you get a capable off-roader - thanks to its low-ratio gearbox and separate chassis - that won't let you down when the worst of winter comes calling.

The Jimny has a neat and practical look - enhanced by curving body panels and colour-coded bumpers - which offers a quirky alternative to a supermini or a crossover SUV.

Its dinky dimensions mean it is highly manoeuvrable in the urban jungle negotiating tight city centre parking spots with ease.

Interior space is fine up front but the rear seats are only really suitable for small children while boot space is negligible.

Treat the Jimny as a two-seater however - the rear seats split and fold - and there's space for shopping or the dog who you can drive to the muddiest of parks for a walk without fear of getting stuck.

Getting comfortable behind the steering wheel is no problem and visibility is excellent. The dash is well laid out with everything clearly displayed while all the controls are well sited and easy to use.

The only fly in the ointment for the driver is indicator and wiper stalks on the opposite side to where you expect so leading initially to a windscreen being washed rather than lights being flashed and vice versa.

Access to the rear is made easier thanks to a front passenger seat that can be easily tipped and slid forward while the doors open wide and there are low sills.

When all's said and done the Jimny is a little old-fashioned compared to some of its rivals - the ride is jiggly at best on the road and there are more comfortable 4x4 on the market - but they also have price-tags to match and if you're clear what it doesn't offer then the Jimny represents good value for money.

As well as being a decent mudplugger able to cope with demanding terrain - thanks to Suzuki's Drive Select 4x4 system featuring a transfer box with high or low ratio four-wheel drive - the entry-level SZ3 model and the range-topping SZ4 model I tested offer lots of kit.

Buy the basic model and you will find a CD/radio system, front fog lamps, roof rails, remote central locking and  push-button selectable four-wheel drive are all included.

Step up a level and Suzuki throw in air conditioning, rear window privacy glass, front electric windows, part-leather upholstery, two-tone toof rails and 15-inch alloy wheels.

Safety equipment includes airbags for driver and front seat passenger and side impact protection beams.

The 1.3-litre petrol engine is a bit noisy as you need to rev it hard to get anywhere reasonably quickly.

But having said that the Jimny is surprisingly nippy and certainly feels quicker than a pedestrian official 0-62mph time in excess of 14 seconds would suggest.

Running costs are reasonable with the five-speed manual model I drove returning an average fuel consumption figure of roughly 39mpg while all versions of the Jimny are in the 22 per cent company car tax bracket.