With Suzuki currently developing the new generation Jimny, now it’s probably a good time to check out the current one in action.
Introduced in 1998, and modestly updated since then, it comes from an era when the Nissan Juke hadn’t been invented yet and the SUV segment was nowhere near as crowded as it is now, with manufacturers trying to cover every little niche they can think of.
Unlike modern day small SUVs, the Suzuki Jimny is really at home off the beaten path, as PitStop point out in their review. And you don’t even have to pay extra to get an all-wheel drive system, as it’s offered as standard.
Of course, with the short wheelbase and mid-1990s engineering, the small 4×4 isn’t a joy to drive on the highway, where there is quite a lot of noise coming inside, especially from the engine bay. And with only 83hp, overtaking takes some planning ahead.
The interior is just as one would expect it to be: totally outdated but utilitarian, and given that it’s used to seeing a fair share of muddy boots and wet clothes, it’s built to last.
So, the Jimny may not be comfortable, fast or high-tech, but it manages to get the job done. As the reviewer says, it has its own character and is very fun to drive. And at £12,999 (equal to $17,987) in the UK, it doesn’t cost a fortune either, although what you pay is what you get probably describes it best. Let’s just hope the new Jimny will get rid of most flaws while keeping its off-roading abilities more or less intact.