When the Suzuki Jimny arrived on the block, it instantly became a global success owing to a number of reasons. Seldom there comes a vehicle, which creates a niche on its own without having many extravagant details, and the Suzuki Jimny is one such vehicle.
In a very short span of time, the all-new Suzuki Jimny has taken the legacy of its predecessors and went on to become a hot favorite of off-road enthusiasts owing to its pocket friendly nature. While it is yet to reach the Indian shores, following are the top ten key points which one should know about it.
It’s the fourth generation model
Launched for the first time back in 1970, the Suzuki Jimny entered into its fourth generation in 2018. The new model looks more like an evolution with enhanced dimensions and styling. At the time of its unveiling, the Suzuki Jimny was launched in two versions – one just for Japan and one for Japan and even global markets. Like Japan, some markets get the latter with 'Sierra' suffix.
Compared to the global-spec version, the JDM-spec version misses out on tough looking flared wheel arches and has shortened front and rear bumpers and a smaller 658 cc engine, thus making it compliant for Kei car dimensions.
It’s a sub-compact SUV with small footprints
Unlike any other off-road oriented SUVs that tend to have large dimensions, the Suzuki Jimny has a compact size, which manages to retain the upright stance of a traditional SUV.
The squared and boxy looks with sharp and straight character lines, along with the retro styling and spare wheel mounted on the rear door, gives the Suzuki Jimny a very unique road presence.
Design on the outside
Having compact dimensions and raised stance, the Suzuki Jimny has a traditional SUV personality which makes it look butch yet not too intimidating. The Jimny now features round projector headlamps, with round fog lamps tucked in the sides of the front bumper. The flared wheel arches, along with blackened alloy wheels and high ground clearance of 210 mm, gives it a sporty and butch attitude.
At the rear, the traditional Jimny elements such as a straight tailgate, spare wheel mounted on the rear door and rectangular tail lamp assemblies on the bumper have been retained, albeit in a more modern looking form.
Design on the inside
On the inside too, the Suzuki Jimny has retained the no-nonsense attitude of the exterior styling, by having a very simple and practical cabin design. The three-spoke steering wheel, 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system and power window switches have been shared with other Suzuki models like Swift and Dzire.
The squared theme for the analogue instrument console with a rectangular MID screen has a nice blend of retro and modern design themes. The same is the case with the round AC vents on the dashboard, the rectangular AC vents on the centre console and the buttons for automatic climate control. The all-black interior finish accentuates its sporty and rugged appeal.
Interior seating and space
As with all of its predecessors, the fourth-gen Suzuki Jimny has a two-door layout and offers seats for five occupants. The all-new model is 40 mm shorter than the model it has replaced, it has more interior cabin space with increased legroom and knee room. Also, thanks to a boxier styling than before, the shoulder room as well as headroom too have been enhanced, thus seating five adults with ease.
What is even more surprising is the increase in boot space – with an increase of 53 litres, the boot space now stands at 377 litres. The rear seats too can be folded flat in 50:50 configuration, thus making the cabin even more practical.
Contemporary features in and out
Despite having a retro and simple design, the Suzuki Jimny is loaded with a sufficient number of features, which prevent it from feeling dated.
With features like LED projector headlamps and black alloy wheels on the outside and a 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Apple Carplay and Android Auto, cruise control, automatic climate control, automatic headlamps and heated outside rear view mirrors and front seats, the Jimny is adequately equipped for a car of its price.
It has got a part-time four-wheel drive system as standard
Termed as “mountain goat” by many auto enthusiasts, the Suzuki Jimny has carried its legacy of a go-anywhere vehicle pretty effectively in all these years. The new Jimny takes the bars even higher by being equipped with Suzuki’s ALLGRIP PRO part-time four-wheel drive system with a low-range transfer case.
In addition to it, the ladder-frame chassis, 3-link rigid axle suspension with coil springs and three excellent clearance angles give immense off-road capabilities to the pint-sized SUV.
It has got one petrol engine with two transmission options
The global Suzuki Jimny is powered by the K15B 1.5L naturally aspirated petrol engine tuned to produce a maximum power output of 101 PS and a peak torque output of 130 Nm. This engine is offered in a different state of tune in the Ciaz and the Ertiga. 5-speed manual and 4-speed automatic are the transmission choices.
Decently equipped for a bare-bones off-roader
The Suzuki Jimny comes with plenty of attractive features for a small off-roader. 15-inch alloy wheels, LED headlamps with washers, automatic climate control, leather steering wheel, touchscreen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and heated seats are some of the highlights.
Made in Japan
The Suzuki Jimny is sold in many markets across the globe, but every country gets it from the Kosai plant located in Japan. However, should it be launched in India, expect the units sold in the country to come from the Hansalpur plant.
