The Suzuki Jimny has proven to be quite capable off the beaten track but could it beat the mighty Hummer H2? Carwow took both cars to the countryside, testing their abilities in a number of off-road challenges to see which is the best in a David against Goliath battle.
Both the Suzuki Jimny (2018-present) and the Hummer H2 (2002-2009) are body-on-frame SUVs with all-wheel-drive, naturally aspirated engines, boxy shapes, and great ground clearance / off-road angles. However, this is where their similarities end.
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The Suzuki is fitted with a 1.5-liter four-cylinder engine producing 101 hp (75 kW / 102 PS) and 130 Nm (96 lb-ft) of torque. This seems tiny compared to the 6.2-liter V8 of the Hummer that produces 393 hp (293 kW / 398 PS) and 563 Nm (415 lb-ft) of torque. At the same time, the Jimny tips the scales at 1,070 kg (2,359 pounds) compared to the 3,000 kg (6,614 pounds) of the “big, fat Hummer” as noted by Matt Watson. There is also a huge difference in the footprint, with the Hummer being a full 1,619 mm (63.7 inches) longer than the Suzuki.
The aforementioned differences are more than evident in the off-road challenges, with the nimble and lightweight Suzuki being the easiest to move around in tight turns and the fastest uphill despite the massive difference in the power output. The Hummer H2 is fitted with aftermarket mud/terrain tires which represent an advantage over the stock Suzuki but many of its systems are malfunctioning or do not work, limiting its otherwise respectable abilities. At the end of the day, the Suzuki dominates in most challenges with the Hummer striking back a few wins thanks to its meaty power and truck-like stance.
Pricing-wise, in the UK, the LCV-only Suzuki Jimny currently costs £20k ($24k), while importing a used Hummer will set you back £45k ($54k). This means you can buy two Jimnys at a price of one H2 and if we add the running costs the difference is far greater. So which one would be the vehicle of your choice for going off-roading during the weekend?