Suzuki Jimny

The Jimny is known for its straightforward, utilitarian design. While it still incorporates a no-nonsense layout, Suzuki gave the new cabin a major facelift to give it a more modern and stylish appearance. One will immediately notice the wider dashboard which is home to sleek, futuristic oblong pods with exposed bolt heads that are reminiscent of industrial design themes. These pods house the clock faces and dials which are in monochromatic colors. The wider dashboard also means that it can offer more useful features that enhance the driving experience and provide improved assistance. Suzuki has also replaced the material with improved plastics for a more sophisticated look and feel.

The steering wheel also received a new redesign which now has audio controls and other features for more convenience and safety. However, Suzuki did retain the fabric seats which the carmaker stated would help keep passengers in place during off roading body rolls compared to leather. It can still only accommodate up to four passengers but Suzuki has made it a point to widen the overall space, providing more elbow room for passengers plus improved mobility for drivers. The two rear seats are pinched together to the middle of the cabin, providing greater legroom for backseat passengers. The rear seats can also be folded, allowing users to expand the 85 liter cargo space with an additional 377 liters.

The Jimny hasn’t shied away from providing a variety of practical features for the convenience of both the driver and passengers. Some standard fixtures that are included are a central door locking system, chrome door handles, power windows, assist grips, two center console cupholders between the seats, and door pockets for storage. The seats are also manually adjustable. The top of the line GLX variant offers some extra features such as clinometers for off roading, automatic air conditioning, and cruise control.

Comfort & Entertainment

Similar to its utilitarian character, the Jimny is equipped with essential tech features. Sitting in the middle of the dashboard is a 9-inch multimedia infotainment display that is standard on all variants. The system supports offline navigation, USB connectivity, Bluetooth, as well as Android mirror link connectivity for offline entertainment. The system also functions as the display for the backup camera and the clinometer. Other key features include automatic LED headlights with a manual leveler, cruise control, automatic air conditioning with a pollen filter, and a rear camera with parking sensors. For added convenience, there are a number of storage spaces at the front of the vehicle as well as some additional spaces in between for rear passengers.

The fourth generation Jimny sports a completely revamped look which created a buzz amongst car enthusiasts and existing fans waiting for a new upgrade. It can be likened to the compact versions of the Jeep Wrangler and Mercedes G-Class, giving the vehicle a more dynamic road presence. It also offers a mix of both modern and retro touches, allowing it to stand out in the local market. While it has gotten somewhat smaller, the vehicle has also become wider. The SUV now measures 3,644 mm long, 1,646 mm wide, and 1,646 mm high plus a wheelbase of 2,250 mm.

The most noticeable change is the vehicle’s boxier shape which is a departure from the slightly more curvy third generation Jimny. The new design also features a much flatter fascia compared to the previous version. While the grille still retained the vertical slats, Suzuki did give the original round headlights a comeback which was originally found on earlier models. Flanking it are a set of reflector halogen headlights with foglights. Meanwhile, the top of the line GLX variant comes with a set of LED projector headlamps. Suzuki also included wide fender flares that give the now more narrow SUV improved presence and dimensionality. At the rear, the tail lights are positioned at the bottom part of the rear bumper. This is reminiscent of older jeeps, retaining the utilitarian scheme the SUV is most well known for.

The Jimny is available in a variety of colors. The base GL variant comes exclusively in either Pearl Bluish Black 3 and Metallic Silky Silver. The high end GLX trim comes in Solid Jungle Green, Solid Medium Gray, and White colors. The GLX also offers exclusive two tone colors such as Solid Kinetic Yellow, Metallic Brisk Blue, and Metallic Chiffon Ivory colorways. Other highlights include the arching hood, squarish wheel arches, a roof gutter, and a large rear tailgate.

Passenger & Boot space

The previous generations of the Jimny used to have much more limited space. While it offered 830 liters of cargo space and could seat up to four adult passengers, it definitely could not do these at the same time. The reconfigured layout and larger wheelbase now offer improved legroom, headroom, and elbow room for passengers. The front seats can now also be folded near-flat and joined into the rear seat squabs. The cargo capacity has also significantly improved at a total of 863 liters. However, drivers should still remember that the Jimny is essentially a 2+2 city car so things will still be somewhat cramped.

The Suzuki Jimny’s 1.5-liter naturally aspirated engine might not be the most powerful in terms of off roading, but it is enough to handle the 1,100 kilogram body of the compact SUV. The relatively short wheelbase makes driving around the city easy and efficient. Even with its heavy steering, maneuvering through tight streets is a breeze. The Jimny also managed to demonstrate a strong performance on the highway, proving that it can hold its own despite its compact size. The SUV also possesses excellent stability control, ensuring that it can handle rough twists and turns on any terrain--or even when overtaking other vehicles on the highway.

The 4x4 system makes it quick and simple for drivers to shift into when going off road. The Jimny records a 37 degree approach angle, a 28 degree break-over angle, as well as a 49 degree departure angle. These metrics show just how capable and reliable the Jimny is as an off road SUV, providing an adventurous driving experience that can take on any obstacles. One downside is its considerable body roll, which is expected due to its compact size. Luckily, there’s still a large amount of front-end grip to cling on when needed.

Under the hood of the Suzuki Jimny is a 1.5 liter K15B engine that is capable of generating 101 hp at 6,000 rpm and 130 Nm of torque at 4,400 rpm. There are currently two transmission options available--a 5-speed manual and a 4-speed automatic--depending on the variant of choice. Those who avail of the base GL trim can select between either the 5-speed manual or a 4-speed automatic. However, the high end GLX variant only comes with just the 4-speed automatic transmission.

Meanwhile, the chassis and suspension have recently been improved for a better and stronger off road experience. The model is built on the reliable ladder frame JB74W chassis which has been in use for the previous generations for the past 20 years. What is new is the suspension which uses two pairs of three-link rigid axles with coil springs for both the front and rear of the vehicle. It now also rides on the Suzuki long-wheelbase platform which is the first time the carmaker has decided to try it for the Jimny. The Jimny is also equipped with solid disc brakes for the front and drum brakes for the rear wheels. The overall weight of the vehicle is approximately 1,000 kilograms while the top of the line variant is around 1,110 kilograms.

Lets talk about Fuel consumption now..

Despite the 1.5-liter engine’s larger size compared to the older 1.3-liter engine from previous generations, the unit is reportedly 15 percent lighter. In terms of fuel consumption, the Jimny averages around 13.3 km/L. The third generation model has earned a reputation for being a notorious gas guzzler. However, the latest version has significantly improved and now returns fairly decent fuel economy numbers.

Daily city driving registers around 8.6 km/L while emptier roads come back at 12.5 km/L when cruising at 60 km/h. Meanwhile, highway driving averages 17.6 km/L when at 90 km/h. While these are good numbers, the 40 liter fuel tank does mean drivers will still need to take pretty frequent trips to fuel stations.

The Jimny is outfitted with a number of standard safety features including SRS dual front airbags, seatbelt reminders for the driver and passengers, control for hill hold and descent, an anti-lock braking system, an electronic stability program, and ISOFIX tethers for child seats. The top of the line GLX variant offers some additional features such as a brake assist function and a reverse camera for easier parking. For crash protection, the Jimny is equipped with side impact door beams that keep the driver and passenger safe from external intrusions, especially when on off road terrains. Suzuki is also offering an additional package for higher variants that includes a backup camera and reverse proximity sensors.

Is Jimny a Value for money SUV?

Suzuki Jimny 2021 price list:

Jimny GL MT-P1,095,000
Jimny GL AT-P1,155,000
Jimny GLX AT (Monotone)-P1,205,000
Jimny GLX AT (Two-Tone)-P1,215,000

The Suzuki Jimny is one of the few off road vehicles that are incredibly easy to ride, making it an accessible 4x4 mini SUV. However, for its price and size, some may opt to invest instead in the full off road SUV experience.

What’s great about the Jimny is that its compact size and decent fuel economy make it an easy vehicle to maintain. Its reliability and great off road capability also ensure that it can take you anywhere and handle all sorts of terrain.

Final Words

The Suzuki Jimny remains a favorite for a good reason and the latest generation shows that it still lives up to its name. The new redesign breathes new life into the vehicle, enhancing its road presence while making it more attractive for modern car buyers. While it still retains most of its utilitarian touches due to its boxier dimensions, its sleek interior styling manages to offset this.

The vehicle’s new powerful engine and improved fuel economy also promises a capable performance despite its compact dimensions, whether it be driving in the city or on an off road adventure The Jimny is definitely a unique yet straightforward vehicle. However, its price point might put people off and consider investing in a mid-size off road SUV instead.