Suzuki Jimny buyer’s guide
4x4 has a great following; here’s how to buy a good one
SUZUKI has a long history of producing titchy 4x4 vehicles. As long ago as 1970, the Japanese firm launched the LJ10, a Jeep-style four-wheel drive powered by a 360cc twocylinder two-stroke engine. Then in 1981 came the SJ: a bigger 4x4 with a 1.0-litre, four-cylinder engine. This was the first Suzuki 4x4 to come to the UK, where it was sold as the SJ410, and it remained on sale until the late nineties, when the Jimny took over.
After the SJ410, the Jimny was a big step forward in many ways, but in a fast-paced industry rivals soon eclipsed it for comfort and safety. Don’t dismiss this little Suzuki completely, though, because it can be quite endearing in the right circumstances.
History
THE Suzuki Jimny arrived in March 1999 as a three-door hard top, but a year later the Soft Top was introduced, bringing with it a removable roof. A refresh in April 2004 added a CD/tuner, twin airbags, ABS and EBD, then another update in March 2005 brought a push-button selector for the 4x4 system and remote central locking.
A JLX+ model joined the range in March 2006 with body-coloured door handles, silver roof rails and a leather interior. Then a new range-topper appeared in July 2009; the SZ4 featured privacy glass, 15-inch alloy wheels and metallic paint.
Another refresh in January 2013 brought a Euro 5-compliant engine, minor styling tweaks plus Isofix mountings for the two rear seats. Further updates in November 2014 brought extra colours, plus standard tyre-pressure monitoring and ESP.
Which one?
THERE’S only one engine: a 1.3-litre petrol. This initially came with 82bhp, but from March 2005 its power was boosted slightly to 85bhp. You can choose a five-speed manual or a four-speed automatic gearbox, but we’d always take the former.
No Jimny is lavishly equipped and, unless you’re buying a relatively new example, you should focus on condition rather than specification. We would avoid pre-March 2005 cars, though, because the revamped engine has variable valve timing, more lowdown torque and is more efficient.
Alternatives
THE Jimny’s only true rival is the Daihatsu Terios, which was sold in the UK from 1998 to 2006. This was also small, cheap and quite capable off road, but not so good for on-road driving. It’s by far the most readily available used Daihatsu, but there still aren’t very many to choose from.
You could also consider the Dacia Duster. It’s larger and more modern than the Jimny, but similarly capable off road, and more refined, affordable and available with petrol or diesel power. If you just want the security
of four-wheel drive but have no plans to go off-roading you could buy a Vauxhall Mokka or Nissan Juke. Unlike most B-segment SUVs, these are available with four-wheel drive. Both are plentiful and they’re also much more up to date than the Suzuki.
Verdict
THE Suzuki Jimny had an incredible 20-year stint, and it was hardly the last word in comfort, refinement or technology when it arrived. By the time it bowed out in 2018 it felt positively ancient, outclassed comprehensively by newer alternatives that were safer, quieter, better equipped and more comfortable. But as one owner told us: “I’d much rather drive a BMW, Merc or Audi. The Jimny’s wipers are rubbish and the headlights are like candles. But in the snow this little car leaves them all sliding about on the road – its 4x4 capability is unreal.”
It’s extremely compromised on-road, but if you need something that won’t break the bank yet which will take you anywhere at any time of the year, even when the road runs out, the Jimny has few real rivals.