With the exception of a number of minor revisions, the successor to the iconic SJ410/413 and Samurai has remained largely unchanged, while amassing what can only be described as a cult following thanks to its diminutive size and extreme prowess off-road.
The new Jimny
The unveiling then of the all-new fourth generation Jimny earlier this year rates as the biggest test yet for the Japanese automaker, in that the newcomer not only has to continue where its predecessor left off, but improve where possible. Having shown this to astonishing effect in Europe where demand has well and truly outstripped supply, Suzuki Auto South Africa has now launched the Jimny locally.
Off-road looks
On first glance, it becomes clear that the Jimny has dispensed with the cutesy looks it has become known for, in favour of a much more aggressive appearance wrapped in a boxy silhouette.
Borrowing a number of styling hints from both the original SJ and Samurai, the Jimny’s slab-sided looks also hides a platform that retains the same length as before, but with a 50mm reduction in wheelbase and 15mm gain in height. According to Suzuki however, the biggest limiting factor of the old Jimny, rear passenger leg room, has been improved by 40mm.
Inside Jimny
The biggest departure though is the interior, where Suzuki has adopted a squircle theme in the overall design, together with an assortment of hard looking plastics, which felt surprisingly soft and unashamedly rugged as well as solid.
In accordance with the squircle theme, the Jimny boasts a pod-like design for the instrument binnacle and air-conditioning dials, while the square touches include the vents themselves, electric window switches as well as the all-new, and first for Suzuki South Africa, seven-inch touchscreen infotainment system on the top spec GLX that features Bluetooth, USB, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.
Despite the shorter overall length compared to the previous Jimny, Suzuki claims a 53-litre improvement in boot space to 377-litres, while a further benefit of the off-road focused underpinnings are the approach, breakover and departure angles, which now comes in at 37 degrees versus 35 degrees, 28 degrees (+one degree) and 49 degrees (+three degrees) respectively.
Interior improvement
As previously indicated, the Jimny backs-up is newfound retro, boxy styling with a substantially more modern interior incorporating the same steering wheel as the Swift, a new instrument cluster with its dual square pods and a second gear lever for the low-range transfer case in place of the previous button setup, claimed to have been the result of buyer demand.
Additional changes inside include seats which now measures 55mm longer and also have a wider cushion frame as well as a lowered overall position, 30mm more legroom at the front and front seats able to slide 240mm.
Spec level
For the first time, Suzuki will offer the Jimny in a choice of trim levels, with the entry-level GA getting items such as dual front airbags, traction control, Hill Hold Control, ABS with EBD, Hill Descent Control and 16-inch steel wheels, while the top-spec GLX gets electric windows and mirrors, projector-type LED headlights, cruise control and keyless entry.
New engine
Also new is the power unit with the previous 1.3-litre M13A motor making way for a new 1.5-litre K15B mill that produces 75kW/130Nm. As before, the Jimny can be had with a five-speed manual gearbox or a four-speed automatic, the latter as an option on the GLX only, with the selectable AllGrip four-wheel drive system again standard across the range. Adding to its off-road prowess is a 20mm increase in ground clearance to 210mm.
Driving Jimny
The new powertrain setup suited the Jimny rather well during the local media launch held in Mpumalanga around the areas of Graskop, Hazyview, and Sabie, where it proved to be frankly unstoppable off-road.
Undeterred by heavy rain that slashed area as the convoy set out, the Jimny was soon in its element off of the black stuff, where obstacles ranging from mud to slippery rock laden slopes failed to upset it with the second gear lever, a replacement for the old button setup due to customer demand, in low range.
Out on the open road though, it was more of a mixed bag with the new engine providing a somewhat raucous note at the national limit in addition to running out of puff when conditions become hilly, with the biggest worry being the rather vague steering and sensation of still feeling rather top-end heavy.
Verdict
Despite its drawbacks, it has seemingly done little to diminish the appeal of the new Jimny. Suzuki has taken a proven recipe and improved upon it.
With the popularity of its predecessor backed up by an immensely loyal off-road fan base, the new Jimny is set to continue this trend now more than ever on local shores, thanks to its more hardcore looks, simple powertrain, sheer off-road capability and impressive value for money.
Service plan and warranty
The GLX model is standard with a four-year / 60 000 km service plan and the GA model with a two-year / 30 000 km service plan. All models are sold with a five-year / 200 000 km mechanical warranty.
Pricing
Jimny GA - R265 000
Jimny GLX - R299 900
Jimny GLX AT - R319 900
