The Suzuki Jimny has been around since 1982(as a Suzuki Jimny-its origins go back further) and this 2018 2019 model is the 4th generation. The mark 3 was in production for 20 years-so how does the new Suzuki Jimny hold up? Read on for a quick honest review and road test.
Tough, affordable, sturdy . The new 2019 Suzuki Jimny is a little champion. I don’t normally review vehicles-however the Jimny sits perfectly as an “outdoor tool” or outdoor piece of kit.
I read and watched several reviews, and was stunned by what I saw. A small, modern 4×4 with a proper ladder chassis and a low range gear box. A clever 4 wheel drive system that uses torque vectoring.
I went to my local dealer-Dales in Summercourt. They were excellent.
I turned up and looked-eagerly, then I saw the little monsters. Small. Very small-but it looked good. Likened as a mini G-wagon-its short and very slab faced. Boxy, utilitarian and rugged. I liked it. I liked it a lot. I had a look around the vehicle, and when it’s parked next to other vehicles you realise how small it is. You instantly notice the ground clearance, and the big full size tyre on the boot. The boot is a side hinge and the whole thing opens to reveal a tiny boot. rear seats fold down in 2 seconds, then you have loads of space. The back of the seats and the boot floor have a hard wearing plastic cover.
I spoke to the dealer and within a few minutes I was out. The key has to be in the ignition-old school-no keyless go here, however it does have remote central locking.
I clambered in and noticed the body roll. It’s a high vehicle with sprung suspension and live axles-so it is quite spongy. If you rock from side to side the whole vehicle wobbles.
Interior.
I climbed in, there are two dials with a small basic digital read out in between them. The SZ5 model comes with a few bits-best is the satnav screen with Apple car play. This is brilliant. Apple car play is a fantastic feature and one I was so glad to see in the Jimny. I can access my music, messages and the Waze satnav app. It’s a brilliant feature. The steering wheel has buttons on it for the cruise control and radio, the stalks feel modern and reliable. It’s build quality in the cabin, although thin and at a price-point it feels very well put together. The SZ5 model comes with heated seats too-something I enjoy all year around. The seats are comfortable-there isn’t a central armrest, nor one on the door -so it isn’t a comfortable motorway cruiser. There is a 5 speed manual gearbox, then also the second gear stick. 2wheel drive, 4 wheel drive and 4 wheel drive low range. Quite a statement for such a little car. There are also buttons for hill descent control and it even has lane departure warning, and even accident avoidance systems that break if it thinks you’re going to crash. The cabin offers a great seating position with great visibility out over the bonnet and through the rear.
Driving.
Suzuki Jimny 2019 Blackish 
Suzuki Jimmy 2019
I drove the car out of the dealership and it instantly makes you smile. Inside it feels far bigger. There’s plenary of room. I instantly thought I was driving an old defender-but with power steering and modern comforts. There was a slight whine from the differential and body roll in bends saying that, it was very good. The 1.5l naturally aspirated engine produces 100hp-although this is plenty it only has 5 speeds, and I was constantly working through the gears up and down. It is an agricultural vehicle, and that said it drives well. Certainly not the fastest vehicle ever-with a top speed of around 86mph, nor is it very frugal-perhaps 35mpg-but I enjoyed it on the road-especially where I live in Cornwall. It’s tiny size and elevated driving position all add to the confidence whilst driving along narrow back lanes.
Off road.
One of my favourite places to get in the sea is accessed by a rocky bumpy path. My friend has a Range Rover Evoke, and it always makes my nervous driving down the track. The track is seriously narrow and very rocky. The Jimny I simply put into 4wd high-and it was a champ. It’s so light-weighing around 1.1tonnes. It skipped over the rocks and potholes, the suspension articulation you could feel as it crept forward. I was impressed. A great great experience -and should I buy one I would not be worried about the size of it, nor dinging it’s under side as there is plenty of ground clearance. It is tough. Really, really tough.
Verdict.
The list price for the SZ5 is £18’499. You want this model-it just makes the vehicle feel and look contemporary. I want one, however there is a waiting list of 2 years. 2 years. It’s crazy, the waiting list is growing and growing and growing, and the 2019 Jimny is selling for over £25’000 second hand on Ebay and dealers around the country. Amazing that there is such a demand for the little car. Yes I want one, I love its form factor, and its agricultural roots. I love its toughness, and I love how it is one of the best 4 wheel drive vehicles money can but… £18’500, 2 year wait….That’s a lot to think about. It’s road manners are far from civilised its not green, not fast….But it makes me smile, its fun. I can chuck all my gear in it/on it. Tents, search and rescue gear, bikes….Lots to consider. Should I wait for the 2020 Defender? 🤔
Side note
I came across these pictures online-The Suzuki Jimny tough concept. I thought these look pretty amazing. I wonder if they will be manufactured and sold…. Cost wise…🤔
