Why we ran it: To see whether the modern-day Jimny is as worthy as its iconic predecessor
Month 6 - Month 5 - Month 4 - Month 3 - Month 2 - Month 1 - Prices and specs
Life with a Suzuki Jimny: Month 6
Our time with it is up. So is it a characterful 4x4 that excels in town and off road or just flawed, cramped and too old-school? - 3 June 2020
Ah, the Jimny. What a refreshing, brilliant yet flawed little car. It has probably been the easiest long-termer to write about in my car hack career – because it’s so characterful and quirky compared with most cars – and probably the one I’d most like to have kept (although it would be great to have the Bentley Continental GT alongside it, too…), despite its flaws.
I was apprehensive when the car first turned up, mostly because I hadn’t driven the latest version and had experienced extreme reactions from colleagues, varying from ‘Oh, that’s so cool!’ to ‘Ah. Unlucky’.
The short journey home from the office didn’t leave me enthralled. The steering feel and direction was hilariously bad, changing gears felt glitchy and the uprightness and ample glass left me feeling vulnerable in terms of safety. And then there was the unrefined four-cylinder naturally aspirated 1.5-litre petrol engine.
Objectively, most car buyers want a well-rounded motor and most firms do their very best to cater to this, of course with variance depending on family, lifestyle etc. But the Jimny isn’t an all-rounder, which is why it could never be compared to other compact SUVs of today if it were to be a box-ticking exercise, which it so often is. The charm of the Jimny – and, I admit, it takes a while to grow – is exactly because it is contrary to the principles of many modern-day car creations.
Join the debate
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Motorways
What's the point of droning on about how bad they are on the Motorway (4 paragraphs no less), people in the market for one aren't stupid and would know that already, what next a paragraph on a lack of tow bar availability on a LaFerrari.
It's a car hated by Journalists loved by owners, just try buying a previous gen one on the secondhand market!
Chris C
Range expansion
Not sure that journalists hate it from the reviews I've seen...
Given that FCA has announced a competitor aimed at the Jimny, if I was Suzuki I would be going flat out to build Jimny as a spinoff offroad sub-brand with LWB, 5 door, van and soft top versions, possibly using capacity at its plants in Hungary or India, and later a larger Vitara sized platform to tackle traditional Defender/G wagon/Jeep models including possibly even military variants.
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Other Journalists
Parkers gave the previous one 2 stars and Whatcar gave the current one 2 stars, hardly glowing for such a sort after secondhand buy. In fact I don't think I've ever seen a 2 star review.
Regarding a larger Vitara, Suzuki do have the S-Cross (bit more on-road than off-road) and maybe don't wish to steal sales from that, but I know what you mean
keeforelli
Second hand gaining in value
These cool little cars have caught peoples attention so widely that they are appreciating in value substantially; you'll be lucky to find one at list anywhere, and they are being held back from the new market on emissions caps. 2 star reviews or not, they are in huge demand
eseaton
If you think the Jimny is
abkq
This is how a boxy off-roader
This is how a boxy off-roader should look, I love its purity and honesty, not the over-designed over-detailed G class.
Lovema75
It's really...
streaky
Make a "City" version
Although Suzuki appear to be able to sell every Jimny it makes, I still think they are missing a trick by not producing a "city" version. The small size, shape and high driving position are ideal, but 4wd is not necessary. Ditch it, fit decent engines and the option of the excellent 6-speed auto from the Swift (if they can be installed longitudinally) and tweak the suspension and steering so that it is stable at 70 on a motorway. Its style would allow Suzuki to sell it at a premuim so that it does not suffer the adverse economics of production that threaten the continued existence of other city cars. If Suzuki expanded its production capacity to include this version, I reckon it would more than double already healthy sales!
LP in Brighton
Great car but can you actually buy one?
For those wanting a relatively affordable small, light affordable 4WD this Suzuki is unique.
But it would be interesting to know what is the current waiting list - and will the Jimny remain on sale next year when the WLTP CO2 penalties kick in?
If the car is not on sale, this long term test is of somewhat limited value.
keeforelli
It’s no longer available to buy
LP, the Jimny has been removed from UK lists for 2020 so i understand only orders already received are being delivered this year; before then the waiting list extended well over a year, and used prices are higher than new even now
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