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I wouldn't recommend the Jimny, given the requirements you stated.
Got one myself, and it's an outstanding vehicle for my needs (forestry surveyor, loads of very marginal 4x4 tracks etc driven on on a daily basis). It is like a mini-Defender, has excellent axle articulation with its coil-sprung live axles.
One of the nicest things about the Jimny is that they're great project cars, you can turn one into an absolute beast for a fraction the cost of a stock Defender.
But as a daily driver on tar roads it falls way short. Loads of body-roll in corners, skittish rear end, underpowered, geared too low for A-roads and motorways, and my biggest bug-bear, that it has no central diff so its not advisable to use it in 4wd on tar roads unless they're completely snowed over.
I'd probably go for a Subaru Forester or suchlike if nothing more than gravel roads is to be driven on.
SX4 here. Jimny was too small for carrying kit so went with SX4...still small enough for those little country lanes but does ok on motorway (my work means 90% A road/motorway then 10% country lanes/mud/dirt track). Selectable 4x4 is useful.
Also got a 2wd Yeti which is very capable (perfect aside the previously mentioned rust/paint issues) but has nearly got stuck when offroad (although tyres weren't really suitable for off road)
My wee Vitara has been awesome. Totally reliable, I have had nearly 70k trouble free mostly rural miles. It has got me out of some difficult spots with flooding, snowy roads, and got me home when others had to turn back.
And it was a total legend at the infamous rainy muddy hell of iXS cup Inners a few years ago, when everybody else got stuck in the field, the Vitara just glided out.
Down side - its a bit thirsty. And the wheels are rusted but that is fixable.
I am toying with getting another new one next year.
Bloke I was at uni with now runs a race car prep company.
He made a Yeti quite capable...! 😆
I have an X3. Current model 2 litre diesel Msport with a manual box. I absolutely love it, some reviews don't rate the manual but I have no complaints. Having come from a Mazda CX5, and having looked at a number of other mid sized 4x4 from the jap brands etc, the build quality, interior and drive is night and day difference, but you do pay the premium for it. I am financing mine so and as residuals are strong he difference in payments is not so bad, I was all set to go for another CX 5 as they'd sorted some f my gripes with it in the facelift model, but I got a decent deal on the X3.
But, it isn't small. It's a little bigger inside than the Mazda CX-5, and about the same size as a mk1 x5. I think the new model is due soon too. I'd definitely buy another one.
Jimny owner here. From new in 04. Been faultless. Wish my 110 was. The Jim actually can be as good in snow as it is so much more agile and doesn't feel so scary when things go wrong.
Never seen the lack centre diff an issue as the set up is the same as a series Landy. If its bad enough for 4wd then a locked transfer box isn't a problem. Lack of so called motorway comfort is relative. Maybe not Rolls comfort but still better than many cars from 10 years ago. 70 is fine and we live in the UK.
Not a lot of room in the back though. Not a nice ride for 25 miles if you are not a kid.
Not many small 4wd out there. I don't see a Yeti for example as small nor the BMW for example. Where a Jim shines is that it is a proper 4wd. ie it has low ratio. If you need that. Otherwise there are many 4wd cars
Don't laugh, but my ex Mrs had a Panda, (2 wheel drive) in about 1983 ish. It was & still is, the best thing I've driven in snow. I put some cheap Town & Country tyres on & there was no stopping it. Lord knows what the 4X4 was like!
The modern version should theoretically be even better.
Honda CRV has to be a sensible option. The 4wd is a bike fake but should get your out of trouble. IIRC they did issue a "fix" for the lame 4wd.
nuke - Member
SX4 here. Jimny was too small for carrying kit so went with SX4...still small enough for those little country lanes but does ok on motorway (my work means 90% A road/motorway then 10% country lanes/mud/dirt track). Selectable 4x4 is useful.
Forgot the SX4, I drove one a week or so back, I was quietly impressed with it, comfy, a nice drive, well equipped and not too big.
Road miles only, so I can't comment on its off-road prowess, any greenlaning would be severely frowned on by my employers...
VW do a 4x4 Caddy.
SX4 was the one used as a Fox in a fox hunt race on TG so looked pretty capable off road.
Don't laugh, but my ex Mrs had a Panda, (2 wheel drive) in about 1983 ish. It was & still is, the best thing I've driven in snow. I put some cheap Town & Country tyres on & there was no stopping it. Lord knows what the 4X4 was like!
Many years ago on my way to work I had just started down Winnat's Pass in some impressive snow. A colleague going up in a Panda 4x4 stopped to tell me a snowplough was stuck across the bottom. She then let the clutch out and continued up completely fuss free. I ended up having to slither down losing speed by bouncing off snow banks. The Panda looked pretty impressive to me.