Suzuki Jimny review – the cutest SUV returns! With a catch...

The adorable Suzuki Jimny enjoyed an all too-short life here in the UK, killed off prematurely by tightening emissions and safety regulations. But if you're after the cutest rough-and-tumble SUV around and don't need back seats, well you're in luck. That's because Suzuki's commercial version of the Jimny - which does without the same level of passenger car regulations - is still for sale in the UK, and might be even better than the fun-loving SUV....

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[pim]

I drive it on the highway at 120 km/h no problem, speaking with my passenger, no problem

[willfriar]

Just fantastic . Back in the 80s we all pilled in my cousins SJ413 bought from Suzuki in bromley, took the roof off and disappeared into the Kent countryside . Still some of the best motoring memories i have .

[lesklower]

Our son has one of these Suzuki Jimnys as you mentioned they do appreciate as soon ss drive them out if the show room and in Australia they come with a back seat because our emission laws aren't that sticked and they are one of the most desirable vehicles in Australia

[philthewriter]

I like the fact that at 8:47, from the external shot, you can see the car wobbling left and right ever so slightly. I presume that's when the reviewer was still yanking on the steering wheel and being amazed at how little was happening 😂

[seanb]

Absolutely it should just have wind up handles. So simple and so reliable!
As a dedicated adventure motorcycle rider, the Jimny looks like luxury to me!

[TheFilwud]

Back pre-Jimny I had an old SJ413 for a while, loved the thing, just novelty motoring. I hadn't got into off roading back then, wish I had, but I loved that little beast, every road was exciting, you felt like you were hammering along risking everything- at 40 mph! Great fun. A friend of mine had an SJ411 soft top, he said he found that if he hit a pothole it felt like the thing was going to spin, because they were so short. I would love to have another but not as my only vehicle, great little run-about for local runs, playing in mud etc. and have a real car for longer distances!

[paul_nwsxs]

I’ve got a 2001 jimny and you can’t get anything as simple as mine, it’s totally different to my GR Yaris with all the bells and whistles, , the jimny puts a massive smile on my face every time I drive it, saying that so does the GR but in a totally different way

[anthonystevens]

I've always liked the Jimny, and this one for me is the best. No tech, just drive it. A lot less to go wrong but as you mention it's a tad agricultural on the road. I still can't justify one but that does not stop me wanting one. Oh, and it'll even fit in a parking space after you pay for the privilege of entering a city's low emissions zone. I'm not sure the load area would look or smell great if you went off road with the dogs in the back though for long. A great fun review Nicola!

[rachelp]

I absolutely LOVE mine ! I have the 2014 model. I've had many B class and a brand new Audi C to name a couple. But my Jimny is far and away my favourite :)

[colincelso]

We live in Oz and my wife has a glx with climate control, touch screen etc and she absolutely loves it coz “it’s cute” It will never see as much a dirt track but she loves it despite the interior finish reminding me of a 1977 for escort. 🤣🤣🤣. Happy wife happy life.

[DeenDesperado]

My father had the SJ 410 (open/ soft top) back in the 80's. Had tons of fun driving it even though the ride was as stiff as you could possibly imagine.

[sinzzo]

I find it funny that stricter emissions norms are applied only to private vehicle whereas, commercial vehicle has no such strict emissions norms.

Where as in reality commercial vehicles can easily reach 100, 000 km mark within an year.

[nashvillepsycho]

We Indians are lucky, we are getting a 5-door Jimny loaded with features like a 9-inch touch infotainment system with wireless Android and Apple CarPlay. Better insulation and an auto gearbox. I've booked one for myself.

[JohnnyTheCache]

Btw i think the Jimny is also good for on road driving, if: 1. you love the raw 1980s car character, 2. you either don't drive much or you have another normal car. For us its a second car and we plan to keep it for a long time. It doesn't have an expensive battery that ages quickly, repairs are quite simple to do yourself, and most importantly for me it can reverse my trailer uphill on my steep unpaved driveway thanks to low gear + 4x4

[Montcoffer]

I've had a SZ5 since 2019 & as a knock about car its ace, great in town for parking, no great on a motorway granted but drive it within its limits 65mph max its fine. The seats are good for 2 hours ish, we use it for airport runs without issue. I have 2 other cars & its the Jimmy we drive most often, I love it so much, & its still worth £5k more than I paid for it, RESULT.

[paultaylor]

Infectious personanility, best car reviewer any day of the week as she just tells it, as it is whatever the car and price.

[robertchapman]

When these came out in Australia in 2019(?), they were just under $25k d/a. But you had to wait 6 months. Knowing this, people ordered 2, kept one and sold one as soon as it landed for $35k.
Now they’re just under $30k d/a, but long wait. I have recently seen them advertised for up to $47k second hand!
To put it in perspective, in 2013, I bought a brand new Grand Vitara 2.4 petrol for $23, 990 d/a with, roof rack, tow bar, mudflaps, plastic spare wheel cover, embossed floor mats and roadside assist for three years. Never needed roadside assist and averaged low 7’s litres per 100km in comfort!

[DriverTuition]

Does it work on the road? Yes, I loaded all the gear we needed for my daughter's wedding and drove down to Portimao! Then we drove through stuff normal cars can't manage. And delivered the bride to the wedding!!!
I've driven everything (yes, Inc Porsche, McLaren, Lamborghini etc.) And this is the most characterful car ever. I'll keep this till I die.
And my CRX for its 9000rpm soundtrack..
Until you drive one you won't get it.. it's brilliant.

[alexmaddox]

The wobbling of the steering wheel had me properly laughing. Nothing was happening 😂

[trroland]

Vague steering? I don't know what you mean. I have one. It's not a Lotus but the steering is just fine for a car on four narrow and smallish wheels. And I enjoy driving it on roads b/c there are no off-road opportunities in this country, just a lot of bad and rutted roads. Most fun car I have ever had.