Since its introduction more than 50 years ago, the Suzuki Jimny has sold nearly three million vehicles all over the world.
The newest generation off-roader, which debuted in Australia in 2019 and was crowned the 2019 World Urban Car of the Year, can now be purchased in two trim levels.
What's more, the 2021 Suzuki Jimny is available with a 1.5-litre four-cylinder petrol engine, paired with a four-speed automatic transmission or five-speed manual gearbox and four-wheel drive.
If you're wondering whether a Suzuki Jimny is the right vehicle for you, keep reading to learn more about these popular and sought-after models.
Suzuki Jimny Overview
The Suzuki Jimny is an off-road vehicle that can climb mountains and hold its own on the open road. Despite its small size, it can travel many of the same routes as larger, more expensive, and stronger vehicles.
Moreover, the new Suzuki Jimny is still a compact, lightweight four-wheel drive vehicle, just like its predecessors. Because of its small weight, it can easily navigate sand, mud, and slopes where bulkier 4X4s sometimes get stuck.
This is because this range of vehicles has a:
- Wide approach and ramp break-over angle
- A broad departure angle
- Lots of ground clearance
These features allow it to go over most obstacles and steep inclines without scratching its bumpers or underbody.
Moreover, the Jimny has always had a sturdy ladder frame chassis, which provides a strong base for serious off-road handling, dating back to the very first version. If you're looking for an impressive off-roader to traverse rough terrain in the Australian Outback, look no further than the Suzuki Jimny.
What Does a Suzuki Jimny Cost to Run? A Closer Look at On-road Costs
One of the greatest concerns that drivers have, especially given the increase in fuel prices, is the on-road costs.
The Jimny is not a very economical option, despite its small size and small 1.5-litre petrol engine. It achieved a cumulative 15.22 km/L in WLTP fuel efficiency tests (or 15.6 km/L for the LCV model). If you choose an automatic gearbox, your mileage falls to 13.68 m/L.
However, in practice, Suzuki engines frequently come close to their promised efficiency. Although low gearing and the absence of sixth gear on the manual transmission means that high-speed driving won't assist your average consumption, you should easily achieve the advertised fuel consumption.
Performance & Drive
This Suzuki Jimny review would not be complete without a look at the performance and drive of this range of vehicles.
The Suzuki Jimny range's engine is a 1.5-litre petrol four with variable valve timing. It produces a power output of 75kW and 130Nm of torque.
If you choose the Lite, your sole option is a five-speed manual transmission; but upgrading to the Jimny gives you access to a four-speed automatic transmission as well.
The Jimny is unusual in its category because it is a family SUV and can travel off-road. This is because they rea part-time four-wheel drives with a high and low range.
The Suzuki Jimny Towing Capacity
Suppose you intend to use the Suzuki Jimny as a commercial vehicle. In that case, you're probably wondering what its towing capacity is. Most models have an impressive towing capacity of 1300 kg.
Interior
The majority of drivers should be able to find a comfortable position when driving in a Suzuki Jimny. It is pretty high up, and moving the seat back and forth by pushing a lever underneath it is possible. The leather steering wheel can be raised or lowered, but keep in mind that it does not have a reach adjustment, so if you have short arms and legs, this may not be the SUV for you.
Moreover, the seats have a flat base and few bolsters on the sides to keep you in place while cornering and are rather firm. If you suffer from back pain or sciatica, you'll be happy to know that the seats on the SZ5 are heated, which is a fantastic option for keeping pain at bay when going on long trips.
Although it might have been too challenging to display the speed in 10 mph increments, the vintage gauges that can be found behind the steering wheel are quite easy to see.
The electronic controls are also where you'd expect them to be, so you shouldn't have trouble adjusting. However, the electric window buttons, located near the gear shift, are the only exception to this simple and easy-to-use interior design. Still, there's no doubt you'll quickly adjust to it.
One of the important things to note is that the Suzuki Jimny has two rear seats only, but given that they have child seat mounts, this isn't a considerable drawback.
Exterior Features
The next thing that we'll discuss in this Suzuki Jimny review is the exterior features because, after all, it's essential to have a vehicle that looks great! Well, the good news is that you won't be disappointed when choosing a Suzuki Jimny.
Rugged All-rounder
This fierce vehicle can be used for off-roading, family trips, and even as a light commercial vehicle, given its range of features and capabilities. To complement its resilience and versatility, it has an equally rugged appearance!
The Jimny features a black grille, but what sets the Jimny apart from the Lite is the 15-inch alloy wheels, privacy glass, and body-coloured door handles.
These vehicles also come with a full-size spare tire, although the Jimny has an alloy 15-inch wheel while the Lite has a steel 15-inch tire to complement the rest of the car. Each model has a hard protective cover.
Solid Axles
One of the features of newer models is the portal axles. According to car enthusiasts, the little Suzuki Jimny has "grown up" to include several useful features, which are apparent in the 2021 Suzuki Jimny.
Portal axles are mounted higher and utilize a gearset to transmit engine power to turn the wheels rather than passing through the centre of the wheel. The upgraded components and wider wheels have increased the Jimny's ground clearance to an astonishing 40 centimetres. This SUV is just about 1.8 meters tall without the top rack.
Technology
The SZ5 model's infotainment system is arguably its most alluring feature. It's a simple, seven-inch system that gets the job done. You won't get smooth visuals or quick answers, but Android Auto and Apple CarPlay are included.
Using these features, you can display applications such as Google Maps from your smartphone onto the screen of the vehicle. This is helpful because, to be honest, Suzuki's regular navigation system leaves much to be desired.
All Suzuki Jimny models have a DAB radio and Bluetooth connectivity, as well as a reversing camera, as standard features, which we appreciated.
The screen is higher up on the dashboard, which is ideal for looking at while commuting. One of the features that we really liked when it comes to the Suzuki Jimny's infotainment system is that the steering wheel has controls for things like volume adjustment and track skipping. This means you won't have to take your eyes off the road to change the music.
Moreover, the seven-inch touchscreen entertainment display is replaced by a large piece of plastic in the SZ4 and Commercial variants.
Instead, there is a vintage CD player, which some may not like. That's because it means using outdated maps, which isn't altogether a terrible thing. After all, we like using retro buttons to adjust the radio station. However, if this is something that bugs you, we recommend going for the later models.
Safety
Safety is the most important thing to think about when choosing a vehicle. The good news is that the Suzuki Jimny takes driver and passenger safety very seriously.
Safety Features That Come Standard
There's a lot of standard equipment you get with the Suzuki Jimny, including traction control, six airbags, and electronic stability. You'll also have anti-lock brakes with brakeforce distribution and brake assist, hill descent control, and a hill holder as standard safety features on all Suzuki Jimny models.
Then there are the driving assistance functions, which include driver attention monitoring, a lane departure warning system, emergency brake display, weaving alert, and low-speed autonomous emergency braking.
Additionally, cruise control with a speed limiter makes long trips easy. Halogen headlights with an automatic high beam and self-levelling are also included to ensure you can always see what's ahead.
Rear-view Camera
A hill hold feature for the automatic transmission, a rear-view camera to make reversing easier, and LED headlights are all included when you choose the Jimny.
Lights for Better Visibility
Moreover, daytime running lights are standard on both models, although only the top-spec Jimny is equipped with LEDs and fog lights.
However, all Jimny variants, which are supported by a tough ladder frame, have a dismal three-star ANCAP safety rating from 2018. Still, we think these vehicles should be re-assessed, given their many smart safety features.
Child Seat Mounts
Another excellent safety feature is the ISOFIX child seat mounts. This will help to keep your kids safe on the road, even though there are only two rear seats in Jimny's cabin.
Available Accessories
Although the Jimny has much to offer when it comes to standard features, you may need to add a few additional accessories. Here are some of your options:
- A front grille and front bumper under garnish
- Mud flap set
- Door mirror covers
- A foot illumination light
- Load edge protection
Which Model Should You Buy?
When choosing the Suzuki Jimny model that's right for you, you'll need to consider your personal preferences and budget. The 2022 or 2021 Suzuki Jimny would be a great choice if you'd like advanced features and the latest technology.
If you need help deciding which Jimny is best for you, you can contact our team, and we will gladly assist you!
Is the Suzuki Jimny a Good Investment?
Overall, we are very impressed with the Suzuki Jimny range. The vehicles are robust, hardy, and reliable, not to mention versatile!
Jimnys have a low tolerance for electronic complexity and are quite durable. The engine is also not overly taxed mechanically. Remarkably, the new Jimny has become even more dependable as a result of the design move from centre console buttons to a conventional low-range shifter mounted on the floor.
This durability means that it will provide years of faithful service, making it an excellent vehicle to invest in.
Contact Westside Auto Wholesale to Purchase Your Suzuki Jimny
If you looking for the best Suzuki Jimny for sale in Perth we can help you! Whether you're interested in the two-door 2021 Suzuki Jimny Lite or a GL or GLX model, you can find what you're looking for at Westside Auto Wholesale. With over 2,000 cars to choose from, we are your one-stop shop for used cars in Western Australia!
To find out more, give us a call today at 0861 450 099.
We hope you found this Suzuki Jimny review helpful!
