Around 15 years ago, for the second article I wrote for Top Gear PH, I had the opportunity to test-drive the manual variant of the previous-generation Suzuki Jimny. I remember saying it was quite fun to drive on the highway—it was like a tall go-kart. The little 4x4 was fun to drive off-road and throw around the trails, too, despite being hampered by its ground clearance and limited traction on low-friction surfaces.
Fast-forward to the present, and I was again tasked to drive the Jimny, this time in its latest iteration. So, I opted to take it where I had driven the previous model. The terrain has changed somewhat, but thank goodness the Jimny has retained its basic off-roader characteristics: part-time 4WD transfer case with low-range gear, ladder-on-frame chassis, front and rear solid straight-axle housing. A true off-road vehicle.