Suzuki chose to pull out of the U.S. in 2012, with its local branch filing for Chapter 11 bankruptcy, so Americans do not get access to the modern vehicles made by the Japanese company, including the 2019 Jimny.
Still, if you live in the States and want to see what you’re missing out on, the all new-gen Jimny is on display at the New York Auto Show.
So, what’s the reason for bringing the tiny SUV to the U.S. if they have no intention of selling it here? The answer is simple: the Jimny was one of the finalists of the 2019 World Car Awards and won the Urban Car of the Year. With the final leg of the awards being hosted during the first press day of the NY event, the Jimny had to be on stage. And it still is, as that’s good publicity.
Also Read: 2019 New York Auto Show: A-to-Z Guide To All The New Car Debuts (Day 1)
So, what’s with all the hype behind the 2019 Jimny? Well, it has a body-on-frame chassis, all-wheel drive, good ground clearance and a distinctive, boxy design. With an MSRP of £15,499 (equal to $20,218/€17,889) in the United Kingdom, it’s also priced competitively against other ‘urban crossovers’, most of which have nowhere near the off-roading capabilities of the Jimny.
Now, since Suzuki’s new small off-roader is, well… small, it’s also powered by a naturally aspirated 1.5-liter engine with not that much power. Specifically, it pushes out just 100 hp (101 PS / 74 kW) and a mere 96 lb-ft (130 Nm) of torque and is paired to a standard five-speed manual gearbox, or an optional four-speed auto. Not much, admittedly, but enough to support its rock-climbing abilities.