The Suzuki Jimny is a super-cute 4x4 that looks a bit like a Land Rover Defender that has shrunk in the wash. It measures just 3.5 metres long, making it shorter than city cars such as the Kia Picanto. However, it’s actually taller than a Kia Sportage.
A real old-school 4x4, the Suzuki’s go-anywhere ability proves invaluable for some. But there is a price to be paid: high CO2 emissions. This is why the Suzuki Jimny is no longer offered as a four-seat passenger car in the UK. You can still buy or lease the two-seat Suzuki Jimny Light Commercial van, but if you want a conventional car, you’ll need to buy used. Rivals to the Suzuki Jimny include the Dacia Duster and the Fiat Panda Cross.
The Suzuki Jimny has a heritage dating back more than 50 years. The original Suzuki LJ10 was launched in 1970, as a tiny but thoroughly authentic 4x4 with a small, relatively economical engine and the promise of excellent reliability.
The original was steadily upgraded throughout the 1970s, before a new SJ30 version arrived in 1981. This was longer and wider, with a bigger engine, and carried a series of names over the years, including SJ410, SJ413 and Suzuki Samurai. A major upgrade came in 1995 when it gained coil spring suspension, helping improve on-road comfort. It was particularly popular in open-top guise.
The third-generation vehicle arrived in 1998. This was much more modern-looking, with a smooth, contemporary appearance and a better quality interior. It boasted a 1.3-litre engine and part-time 4WD with dashboard buttons to select the various drive modes. Both hard-top and canvas soft-top models were available.
Launched in 2018, the fourth-generation Suzuki Jimny had styling that referenced earlier models, and proved a super-desirable draw right from the outset. It’s a shame its popularity in Europe has been restricted by the inefficiency of its thirsty, high-CO2 petrol engine. However, the car is such a hit in its home market of Japan, Suzuki is in no rush to launch a more efficient iteration.
The Suzuki Jimny is brilliant off-road. Because it’s so compact, it’s able to wind its way up narrow hillsides that are simply out of bounds to larger, heavier SUVs. The short wheelbase and tiny overhangs make it a master of undulating terrain, while the traction offered by its AllGrip Pro four-wheel-drive running gear is exceptional. There’s even a standard low-range gearbox, just like you get in a Land Rover Defender or Jeep Wrangler.
Suzuki also fits hill-descent control to keep things controlled when going downhill, and a neat hill-hold control to stop the car rolling backwards as you climb.
Its traditional ladder frame chassis does mean the Suzuki lacks the on-road refinement of larger, more modern 4x4s, but this version is still a lot better than earlier Suzuki Jimnys. Sure, the engine is slow and noisy – which compounds its rather inefficient nature – but the ride isn’t bad and handling is more sure-footed than it once was. Electronic stability control helps keep the car stable when really pressing on.
Its transition from a passenger car into a van hasn’t radically altered any of that. Suzuki has simply taken out the rear seats and fitted a hose-clean load liner instead. The rear windows are not blacked out, so visibility is good (and its appearance isn’t van-like), but those in the front are separated from bulky loads by a robust grid-like metal bulkhead.
It’s great for couples with active lifestyles, and potentially also for small businesses who want a cheap, go-anywhere machine. Suzuki UK has even converted one of its own cars into a mobile coffee van.
The Suzuki Jimny is now decidedly a niche machine in the UK, but it’s still utterly charming, and a practical all-rounder for those with a defined set of demands. It’s also surprisingly affordable. Indeed, if you’re a VAT-registered business, you’ll be able to claim back the VAT, taking the list price below £17,000. Tempting, huh?
The Suzuki Jimny is far from perfect. It’s lacking in refinement, the engine is thirsty and it’s not very quick. But transforming it from a passenger car into a light commercial vehicle has helped more tightly define its appeal, and further boost its value for money.
It can go almost anywhere, carry a decent amount of kit and, being a Suzuki, is also likely to be brilliantly reliable. Factor in that oh-so-cute styling and a passable level of standard equipment, and you have an interesting new machine to buy or lease. Plus, if you really do need four seats and passenger-car practicality, there’s still a selection of Suzuki Jimnys on the used car market to choose from – and they are even better value for money.
Today’s Suzuki Jimny offers just a single trim level, with options restricted to equipment that can be fitted at your local dealer to enhance the everyday practicality of the two-door van.
The Suzuki Jimny Light Commercial may now be a working vehicle, but it still has a decent spec. This includes air conditioning, cruise control, electric windows and a DAB radio with USB and Bluetooth connectivity.
Suzuki no longer offers the Suzuki Jimny in four-seat guise because the sole petrol engine is so thirsty. Restricting it to a van derivative helps the firm get around strict targets for passenger car CO2 emissions.
Here are the engine options available to order on the Suzuki Jimny.
Suzuki Jimny 1.5 petrol: The 1.5-litre engine produces 101PS. Suzuki has never quoted a 0-62mph time, but it reaches a 90mph top speed. It’s on the thirsty side, averaging just 36.7mpg (and emitting 173g/km of CO2), but standard AllGrip Pro four-wheel drive is backed up by a low-ratio gearbox, helping it excel off-road.
The Suzuki Jimny has always offered just a single engine option, mainly with a manual gearbox, but sometimes with an optional automatic. There’s never been a diesel-engined Suzuki Jimny.
Standard equipment in the Suzuki Jimny Light Commercial includes:
16-inch steel wheels
Black wheelarch mouldings
Daytime running lights
Front fog lights
Full size spare wheel mounted on tailgate
High beam assist
Air conditioning
Electric front windows
Electric door mirrors
Cruise control with speed limiter
12v accessory socket in centre console
12v accessory socket in load bay
DAB digital radio
MP3-compatible CD player
USB connector
Steering wheel audio controls
Driver and front passenger airbags
Remote central locking
Anti-theft alarm
The Suzuki Jimny’s exterior dimensions are:
Length: 3480mm
Width: 1645mm
Height: 1720mm
Ground clearance: 210mm
The Suzuki Jimny’s load space is:
863 litres
The Suzuki Jimny’s fuel tank capacity is 40 litres
The Suzuki Jimny has a reasonably affordable group 13 (out of 50) rating, so it should not be too expensive to insure. A standard alarm, immobiliser and remote central locking help keep it safe from thieves.