2019 Suzuki Jimny Review: Compact 4x4 with Modern Comfort

The Suzuki Jimny is one of the Japanese brand’s longest-running nameplates and one of their most successful creations. This little 4x4 has garnered high praises in the off-roading community and is widely loved and admired by enthusiasts. Suzuki released the first-generation Jimny in 1970, and its diminutive size made it ideal for its home market.

Over its long existence, the Suzuki Jimny has mostly remained unchanged and stuck to its roots of being a simple, tough, and capable off-roader. The 2019 iteration of the 4x4 is by far the most visually distinct Jimny there’s been. It’s now just as good as before off the road, but more importantly, it has become more comfortable, powerful, and offers better interior and exterior design. In the UAE, the 2019 Suzuki Jimny faces competition primarily from the Jeep Renegade, Nissan Kicks, and Mazda CX-3.

Exterior

The new redesign of the Suzuki Jimny means that it looks a lot like a G-Wagen and a Defender had a baby. It’s impossible to not think about those cars when you look at the new Jimny. However, its resemblance to those 4x4s isn’t bad at all, and in fact, it looks really cool. Small it may be, but characterless and charmless it certainly is not.

The quirky front fascia of the new Jimny features:

• Clamshell hood
• Round headlights and turn indicators
• Five-slatted grille with vertical cut-outs
• Muscular bumper with integrated skid plate
• Air intake and fog lights

The boxy side silhouette is unmistakably Jimny (or a miniature G-Wagen). Key external features include:

• Upright windows and flat roof
• Massive ground clearance
• Vividly arched fenders
• Obligatory black plastic cladding

Around the back, there’s a door-mounted spare tire and a minimalistic bumper with integrated taillights. The new 2019 Suzuki Jimny measures:

• Length: 3.645 meters
• Width: 1.645 meters
• Height: 1.725 meters
• Wheelbase: 2.250 meters

However, due to its compact size, with its rear seats in place, the Jimny’s total boot capacity is only 85 liters.

Interior

The interior of the 2019 Suzuki Jimny has been thoroughly overhauled, making it look far more modern than its predecessor. Suzuki has also improved the fit & finish and material quality used in this cabin, creating a far nicer space to spend time in. The Jimny’s positive attributes from before, such as reliability, durability, and old-school charm, are still prevalent in the new model.

The cabin provides decent comfort and space, though the second row isn’t the most spacious. Key interior features include:

• Ample headroom
• Excellent outside visibility, thanks to large windows
• Alloy wheels
• Air-conditioning
• Front power windows
• Parking sensors with rear camera
• Leather-wrapped steering wheel with audio controls
• Touchscreen infotainment system

Additional safety features available are:

• ABS with EBD
• Dual front airbags
• Traction control system
• Tire-pressure monitor

Engine and Performance

Under the hood of the 2019 Suzuki Jimny is a 1.5-liter four-cylinder engine that develops 102 hp and 130 Nm of torque. It comes mated to either a 5-speed manual or a 4-speed automatic transmission. Power can be directed to all four wheels via a selectable 4WD system, along with a locking differential. The Jimny isn’t particularly fast on the road, taking a lethargic 15.5 seconds (for the A/T version) to hit 100 km/h, with a top speed of only 160 km/h.

Verdict

The 2019 Suzuki Jimny with an automatic transmission is priced at AED 68,000, and its insurance premium starts from AED 1,530.