Why people can’t get enough of the Suzuki Jimny
This affordable off-roader with a cult following shows you don’t have to spend crazy money to head off-road. There is a catch, however.
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The Suzuki Jimny is one of the most in-demand, oversubscribed vehicles on our roads. Here are
five things you need to know about the GLX model.
The drive experience is like stepping back in time
When the new Jimny launched in early 2019 it already felt like an old car: by 2023 its vibes are veritably antique. But who cares? Its rudimentary nature can be interpreted as charming, and the involving, immersive drive is an antidote to today’s nannying SUVs wrestling control from you.
The Jimny’s non-turbo 1.5-litre four-cylinder petrol needs some urging to perform, hampered by a lacklustre 75kW and 130Nm. The auto gearbox has only four forward gears, so the engine noisily surges when a lower cog’s asked for. You drone along at 3250rpm on the highway, helping drown the wind noise inevitable with brick-like aerodynamics. Cornering limits are, er, limited; the body leans in turns and the all-terrain tyres quickly run out of grip
in the wet. It demands you stay alert and attentive – proper old school driving.
It’s madly in demand and priced accordingly
Jimny order books have unrelentingly bulged at the seams: the queue’s got so long they’ve stopped orders on auto versions. It’s more in-demand than a Taylor Swift concert, but at this price, there’s nothing to rival its off-road talents. Then there’s its cheeky, rugged and simple good looks making it the darling of the “look at me” crowd. A clamshell bonnet, round headlights, square wheel arches and rear barn door show-off how very adventurous and stylish you are. Price-wise, Suzuki’s not missed a trick. At launch these GLXs were $23,990; four years on they’re $28,490. A bare-bones Lite’s $26,990, and retro-flavour Heritage $33,490. But the waiting list remains mighty, so private sellers are flipping them for close to $50,000.
It’s an absolute legend off-road
We spent a day sand driving and the Jimny couldn’t have been more fit for purpose. Weighing less than 1100kg it skipped across the soft stuff more effectively than ubiquitous dual-cab utes and Toyota LandCruisers weighing (and costing) more than twice that. A robust ladder chassis, low-range transfer case, 210mm ground clearance and excellent approach and departure angles help the Jimny feel unstoppable. All have an AllGrip Pro 4WD system, so even if one front wheel’s in the air and a rear’s spinning on soft sand, drive is smartly sent to the others without the need for diff locks. Importantly, it gives you utmost adventuring confidence with fun at its core.
There’s good and bad news in the cabin
Fear not, there are mod-cons in the cabin. GLXs have a 7-inch infotainment screen running satnav, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and (basic) reversing camera. Pick the Jimny Lite and you lose all that but gain a CD player – remember them? The GLX has digital climate control, but struggles to keep rear passengers cool. There are no rear air vents or opening rear windows, so fingers crossed your back seat buddies have strong stomachs. Giant front windows, an upright windscreen and an elevated driving position give superb visibility, but it’s a tight squeeze in the cabin. Cloth seats and abundant plastic trim feels cheap, storage is wanting and you miss out on a centre armrest. Unashamedly uncomplicated.
Please don’t buy one as your daily driver
A panel of international judges comically awarded the Jimny World Urban Car of the Year but don’t be fooled. This thing sucks as a city and suburban driver. If you’re a regular off-road adventurer with no need for rear seats, order a Jimny today. It’s perfect. But it’s the wrong choice for bitumen driving and family use. It’s a three-door (a five-door version’s here soon) and it’s a mission clambering into the two tight rear seats. The boot is minuscule – you’ll just squeeze a slab of beer in – so you’ll always want the rear chairs folded for meaningful space. It’s economical at 6.4L/100km (we returned more than 8L/100km) but servicing over its five-year warranty period’s a not-cheap $2265.
Active safety is limited to auto emergency braking and lane-departure warning and it has a three-star crash rating. It’s easy to manoeuvre in town and a tiny joy to park, but piloting one every day soon wears you down. It looks awesome but a Jimny’s at its best as a fun second car.
Originally published as Why people can’t get enough of the Suzuki Jimny
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