The Suzuki Jimny has long been one of the most famous and capable off-roaders on the market. It may be small, but its off-road abilities are surprising. It is a classic case of don’t judge a book by its cover. Roughly two years ago, Suzuki updated the small off-roader after roughly a 20-year run on the same platform. That upgrade was huge but thankfully it did not alter the simplicity that made the Jimny great in the first place. Now the Jimny is entering the 2023 product line and to celebrate we are going to cover 10 things you need to know about this little beast.
1 The 2023 Suzuki Jimny Looks Great
The looks of the older Jimny were a bit questionable. The design was distinctively Japanese which to some looked nice but to others quite ugly. However, we can all agree that the new one has got the looks department nailed down. The square shape, front grill, and circular headlights are a perfect nod to the off-roaders of the past. In fact, it looks so good that many people have mentioned that its design cues are similar to those of the old Defender or G-Wagon – that’s a big compliment. With a few modifications, the Jimny can become one of the best-looking 4x4s on the current market.
2 It Has Two Solid Axles
If you have ever been around someone who loves off-roading you will have probably heard them talk about solid axles. A solid axle means that both wheels on each end of the vehicle are connected to each other via a solid beam. This system provides better wheel articulation, is more robust, and is much easier to fix than the conventional independent suspension found on most road vehicles. Brand-new vehicles with solid axles are a dying breed and the fact that such a small off-roader like the Jimny has them is impressive. Kudos to Suzuki for staying old school!
3 It is Based On A Ladder Chassis
Most old 4x4s use a ladder frame on which the body is bolted on. This is preferred in the off-road world as it provides better adaptability and serviceability. Nowadays, most off-roaders have switched to a lighter unibody design; however, this doesn’t work as well off-road. Some of the few cars that remain body on frame are vehicles like the Toyota 4Runner, Toyota Land Cruiser, Ford Bronco, upcoming Ineos Grenadier, and the Jeep Wrangler. So, the Suzuki Jimny shares the same old-school technology (that works best) with the top off-roaders on the market. No wonder it’s so capable then.
4 It Is Immensely Capable Off-Road
The previous two points lead to the inevitable statement that the Suzuki Jimny is a great off-roader. This is due to a variety of reasons. First and foremost, it is small and lightweight – an attribute that is often overlooked in today’s oversized world. This helps the Jimny squeeze through obstacles and take lines other vehicles can’t. It also helps avoid body damage as it is narrow with great approach and departure angles. Finally, the great wheel articulation from the solid axles paired with the effective traction control system and low-range gearing make the Jimny one of the best four-wheel-drives out there.
5 The Jimny Is Well-Equipped
The Jimny's interior is insanely simple, but this doesn’t mean it isn’t well-equipped. Step inside and you will be greeted with cloth seats, physical buttons, and an analog gauge cluster, which is an ode to the old Suzuki Samurai. However, to modernize the cabin, Suzuki has given the Jimny a small screen that features Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. A welcome addition that elevates the interior of this little truck. As you can imagine, this isn’t the most comfortable of vehicles, but we wouldn’t call it uncomfortable either; therefore, long journeys aren’t much of an issue.
6 Highway Driving Isn’t Its Strong Point
We just stated that a long journey in the Jimny won’t be much of an issue which is true; however, don’t expect it to resemble a new car either. The engine Suzuki opted to use is a naturally aspirated 1.5-liter four-cylinder. Due to the off-road abilities and low torque number, the Jimny's gearing is low and the engine feels stressed at higher speeds. This means that cruising on the motorway will have you sitting anywhere between three and five thousand rpm. At this number of revs, an engine gets noisy. As this is a new vehicle, it is far better sound deadening than the older model, but you can certainly hear the engine working away.
7 It Is Also Sold As A Kei Car In Japan
Kei cars are a classification of vehicles in Japan that need to meet specific engine and body size specifications to enter the Kei category. Being in this category makes owning a car in a large city more economical and environmentally friendly. So, the Kei car version of the Jimmy is pretty much the same vehicle minus the fender flairs and protruding bumpers. It also appears to have skinnier tires and its engine is a turbocharged 660cc unit. The removal of the flares and bumpers reduces the overall dimension helping the vehicle meet the category requirements. The same is true for the engine.
8 It Is One Of The Cheapest Off-Roaders You Can Get
Sadly, the Jimny isn’t sold in the USA. However, it is sold in the rest of the world and is arguably one of the cheapest 4x4s you can currently buy. Depending on location, it is priced between €19,000 and €21,000. Now, for a car this small, this isn’t a cheap price, but you have to remember that the Jimny packs off-road gear, durability, and off-road technology. This low entry price makes it a perfect choice for farmers or adventure lovers that need something cheap and good on fuel, or just everyday users that love the higher driving position but still want city car-like dimensions.
9 In Europe, The Jimny Is Only Sold As A Van
About a year into the production of the Jimny the model run into a huge problem in the European market. Its old-school engine could no longer meet emissions regulations, which meant that it is now only sold as a van. Vans have lower emission standards to meet, this is why the Jimny had to enter that segment. It was the only way to keep the model alive in the European market. Still, even as a van, the new model seems to be selling well and there are rumors that an updated version of it is coming. This should make it available as a four-seater again.
10 The Jimny Forces You To Live Like A Minimalist
As you can imagine, a car this small on the outside will also be small inside. While seating space isn’t bad, boot space certainly is. You can barely fit anything larger than a shoebox behind those rear seats as they are very close to the rear door. At the end of the day, this is a vehicle that is also sold as a Kei car; therefore, a lack of interior space is expected. The good thing is that aftermarket companies have developed roof racks and other accessories that enable you to store a bit more gear in your Jimny if needed.